Rising Stars: Meet Elizabeth Rainer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Rainer.

Elizabeth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
One summer day, when I was a little kid, my mom led my brother Earl and I on an amazing treasure hunt. We followed several clues and finally arrived at a mound of dirt in the backyard. Using two plastic toy beach shovels that happened to be laying nearby, we dug up what appeared to be an old pirate’s chest. Our eyes were wide with excitement. What could be inside? We pried open the lid and found…freshly made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, carrot sticks and two small cartons of milk. We were overjoyed and mystified. How long ago had the pirates buried this treasure? Years later, I smile at my mom’s ability to transform our ordinary lunch into a profoundly magical feast. My artwork aims to capture that kind of thrilling enchantment. I look for the red ribbon of magic and surprise that is ever present in each moment. This is a daily practice that I am sometimes better at than other days. But when I am able to tune into the pulse of marvelous aliveness that is always being offered, I am at my creative best. I studied art and theatre in college, earned an MFA in Acting at Southern Methodist University and became a certified Celebrant at The Celebrant Foundation and Institute. For the past decade, I have co-created the Radiant Life Retreats with my dear friend, Heidi Rose Robbins. I infuse the retreats with ritual, art, delicious food and music.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Because my work is handmade, most of my creations of magic and fairy dust take a lot of time to make. I value the authenticity and craft of pieces done one at a time. Pricing handmade work that is not mass-produced can be tricky. I continue to seek to find the right balance.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is about handmade transformation. I celebrate people through beauty and art. One way I do this is I create personalized mystery balls. These are bright crepe paper balls with handwritten messages and prizes rolled up into them. The recipient experiences the gift by unrolling the ball and discovering the treasure hidden inside. These are so much fun!!! Mystery balls are perfect for a truly one-of-a-kind birthday gift. I also make mystery balls to acknowledge other rites of passage. Recently, I created one for a family that was moving out of a beloved house they had been living in for 20 years. I made another mystery ball to support a man going through chemotherapy and one for a woman starting a new job. Nothing makes me happier than when I receive feedback that the recipient felt truly seen by the gift. Another thing I create are cascarones. These look like mini, cone-shaped pinatas covered in frilly tissue paper. At one end is a blown-out egg. When the egg is cracked open, sparkly confetti pours out and a secret message is revealed. I have made cascarones many times for group events. It is so festive to gather in a circle and crack open these colorful pieces of art. Each person gets a unique message.

I love tiny doses of inspiration. I decoupage collages on matchboxes for use on personal altars and paint wooden peg people for couples or families. Lately, I have been writing quotes on little cards. I have different sets like “Badass Women Quotes” or “Little Cup of Beauty Cards”. The cards are meant to be given away: handed to a friend or tucked in a pocket.

I am proud of making art that delights and heals.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
As long as my work feels soul-satisfying, I know I am on the right track. I thrive when I am creating gifts that are not only fun but deeply meaningful to receive.

Contact Info:

• Email: littlecupofbeauty@gmail.com
• Website: littleboxofjoy.us
• Instagram: @littlecupofbeauty