Today we’d like to introduce you to Karith Gingrow.
Hi Karith, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The story of Nimble Craft didn’t begin with a commercial lease or a grand business plan—it started at my kitchen table after having my son, Brixton, the second of our three kids. Around 2017, when Brix was about four and I was a stay-at-home mom, I found myself longing for a creative early learning experience that matched what my oldest had lived at Moonstone, a magical preschool in Philly.
Moonstone did something rare. Learning happened entirely through the senses, framed around a fresh theme each week. There were no flashy, overstimulating toys. There was simply no wrong way to play, genuine inclusivity, and an environment rooted in warmth and safety.
Wanting that same spirit at home, I started designing games and hands-on projects to gently build fine motor skills and letter recognition. Along the way, something clicked: I fell hard for process art. I saw firsthand how transformative it is—not just for toddlers, but for adults, too. Making things purely for the joy of making them, without obsessing over a rigid final product.
Then came the real lightbulb moment. What if I designed an experience where high-quality materials were thoughtfully curated, people had total freedom to interpret them however they wanted, and the end result was fresh, modern, and actually hangable on your wall?
Nimble Craft began on the move. I hosted craft nights with friends, packing up supplies and traveling to living rooms. It was pure joy. Beyond picking up a new hobby or technique, those evenings became safe, welcoming spaces where people shared their personal stories while keeping their hands busy.
Soon after, a gorgeous playspace in Brewerytown called Kith + Kin reached out to see if I’d host weekly arts and crafts sessions. It was a dream scenario. Suddenly, I wasn’t just guiding littles—I was connecting with their caregivers. While kids explored materials, adults could dive into their own project or simply breathe for an hour. That is where our guiding motto was born: Create + Bond + Share.
I kept building momentum through workshops, markets, and mobile pop-ups, quietly nursing the dream of a brick-and-mortar home. Then, the world stopped in 2020.
Like so many small businesses, everything froze. Yet during those long, uncertain days, the creative community rallied. Artists stepped up with virtual groups, video tutorials, and daily inspiration that kept us all tethered. That season connected me with an incredible circle of women who championed each other’s passion for process art. Without that network—and the fierce women small-business owners who surround me today—I never would have had the courage to trust my gut, ride out the quiet, and keep building toward what was next.
That patience led us right here to State Street in Media, Pennsylvania.
Nimble Craft started upstairs in a cozy 400-square-foot studio designed for workshops and my own creative practice. Today, that footprint is officially growing: we’re expanding to launch a dedicated retail arts and crafts shop this late September.
This community and township have shown up for every chapter of this journey with open arms, and our studio door is always open. Whether you’re dropping by to explore a new medium, pick up fresh supplies, or just take a minute to make something with your hands, you have a place here. I always tell folks, if the door is open, come right in! Even if there’s a workshop going on.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Bumpy doesn’t even begin to cover it—starting a small business rarely runs in a straight line.
Early on, the most frustrating hurdles weren’t the creative ideas; they were the tedious legal mechanics. Navigating business registrations, filing endless forms correctly, and finding a reputable insurance company to back me was an uphill battle. That last part felt nearly impossible. I didn’t fit neatly into any standard underwriter’s drop-down menu: “Yes, sir, I run mobile crafting workshops.”
Even booking venues felt like translating a foreign language. Pitching collaborations to local taprooms and breweries was met with complete confusion because they couldn’t see the connection between a pint of craft beer and a hands-on art project.
What kept me moving was pure persistence and holding on tight to a clear visual of what I wanted Nimble Craft to be. When the path wasn’t paved, you just had to keep showing up, explaining the concept until it finally clicked, and trusting that the right community would catch the vision.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize heavily in process-driven art forms—mediums where exploring the method is just as rewarding as what you end up with. In my personal studio practice and through classes, I focus deeply on linocut carving, block printing, and silkscreening. That said, I love experimenting with nearly all mediums, especially playing with extreme scale: working either GINORMOUS or obsessively tiny is my sweet spot. Aesthetically, my work lives at the intersection of traditional folk art and modern minimalism—bold, graphic lines with warmth and soul.
Recently, I’ve also dived headfirst into large-scale murals! It was completely unplanned; a local artist friend asked me to collaborate with her on two different walls, and I immediately got hooked on the physical, collaborative energy of painting big.
Nimble Craft bridges generations. It isn’t exclusively a drop-in spot for kids, nor is it strictly an adult paint-and-sip. It’s a genuine neighborhood hub where caregivers, friends, and solo crafters can slow down, share stories, and learn tactile skills together.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
People genuinely see the passion behind your dreams—you just have to learn to trust it yourself.
When you’re starting out, imposter syndrome and the sheer logistics of building something from nothing make it easy to second-guess every step. You worry whether anyone will “get it,” whether venues will take you seriously, or if people will care about the strange, beautiful thing you’re trying to put into the world.
What this journey has taught me is that authentic energy is magnetic. People can feel when you are pouring your real, unfiltered heart into a vision, and they will rally around that honesty. The moment you stop waiting for permission, quiet the self-doubt, and fully believe in what you are creating, the right community shows up to meet you there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nimblecraftpa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimble_craft/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nimblecraft/
