#1 - Introducing the Leaders of the Creative Attic Team

We would like to cordially invite you to meet the leaders of the Creative Attic team! As this is our first post to our Chronicle, enjoy the ride along with us into uncharted territory. 😉

Meet the Right Brain of the Operation:

My name is Crystalyn Richards. I am the daughter of two amazingly unique, and vastly different, individuals. I am a combination of both of them, and I like to think I got the best of each one… but that might be the “baby of the family” talking. Hee hee.

I have always enjoyed making things. My son says that I have the talent of “making something out of nothing” and that I can “make anything work, as long as it doesn’t grow or use machinery”. 😆 That is pretty accurate, I guess. I have a need to create that is just as strong as my need to advocate for those who need a voice or a helping hand. 

I am a wife and mother to “my boys”, and they are my world. I thank God everyday that I can rely on them to support me in following my heart and fulfilling my dreams. The Creative Attic is a vehicle for making those dreams a reality.

I have been involved in the world of Special Needs for most of my life, and decided to make it my career. After more than 25 years of working professionally in that field, it became necessary for my life to take a different path. I have never stopped advocating and supporting people with special needs and their families, I just changed the way I do it. One of the services we provide through the Creative Attic is specifically tuned to the needs of those struggling with a problem in regards to a different set of abilities or challenges than the average bear. I specialize in solutions  for the challenges/disabilities associated with: Autism, Learning & Behavioral Disabilities (ie. ADHD, ADD, OCD, PDD, etc), Physical, Social, and Cognitive. I focus on solutions, not problems. I believe in choices. I believe in the Spirit of humankind. 

I try to live in the “positive” rather than dwell on the negative. I gain no energy or forward motion in darkness. It doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with that choice daily, I just prefer to look for the sunshine behind the clouds. My faith and my family have helped me to get through my darkest times. That is actually how Crystalyn’s Creative Attic was born, but I will leave the details of that for a future post.

Having ADHD & OCD myself, I tend to have many interests and I don’t fit into any one “box”. Therefore, why should our shop? The Creative Attic is an outlet for art, hope, faith and service. Imagination is a tremendous tool in creating a unique and fulfilling life that can touch the lives of others. 

Now, the most amazing teacher and woman that I am blessed to call my own, my partner…my Mom.

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Meet the Left Brain of the Operation:

Hi, I’m Linda. I am the mother and partner of Crystalyn Richards, and of this amazing adventure we call Crystalyn’s Creative Attic.

I am a fraternal twin. Life growing up in Queens, New York was so different in the 50s than it is today.  I had dozens of friends, because I was part of the Baby Boomer Generation.

There was always something to do or try out and we were very independent.

My parents worked very hard to give me, my brother and sister everything they could to provide us with a comfortable and stable family life.  For my education, I am fortunate and grateful, that they were able to afford to send me to private schools. 

At the age of nineteen, I was running our family beauty salon business in Jackson Heights, Queens.  I loved every day’s challenges and triumphs.  I was able to create and innovate new hairstyles and hair color.  I had fun every day, even when I worked long days. I had the best customers.

It was there that I learned another lesson on being resourceful.

One day, on a very hot July day, Con Edison decided to shut off our electricity at the salon, to fix a broken “something” under the street. I had clients lined up outside, wondering when and how they were going to get their hair done!  No electricity…no water!  What to do?  I could have closed the shop, and everyone would have understood.  In my heart, I just could not do that.

Many of my customers were first, second and third generations of families that had been coming to us for years.  How could I just do nothing, and let them down?

We put our heads together, and made a plan!  People would say we were crazy, but we didn't care.  We were going to get it done! They all went home, and brought back jugs of water.  Some of my elderly clients, who lived on the same block as the salon, heard about the problem.  They offered to supply water, if I could come and pick it up.  I did!

Together we made it work.  I held off perms and hair coloring, but I washed and set everyone who patiently waited.  We brought out folding chairs (which the clients brought over) and whatever else they could sit on, and sat outside untill their hair was dry.

It was an unusual day, but it forged lasting friendships and everyone went home with a helluva story to tell.  :) 

After getting married to the love of my life, Robert J. Innella, (of Rob’s Art), we moved to the Highlands of New Jersey.

It wasn’t until I had moved to New Jersey, that I realized how creative andresourceful I would need to be again.  I quickly learned that when I was left alone in the “boondocks," especially during winter.  At that time, my husband was a long- distanced trucker, and I would not see him for days.  Being far from what I called “civilization," I learned the fine arts of sewing, macrame, canning, and cultivating an organic garden, to name a few.  We were raising a family, too.  Raising our kids at that time brought some of our brightest and challenging moments. It was also the time I grew most as a person.

Also, during that time, I had worn many different hats.  

I was in wholesale and retail for years.  I kept growing with every venture I took part.

At age 45, I added another “hat” to my collection,  when I entered the world of telecommunications.  I did not know the first thing about a computer or mouse… let alone the internet…but I learned.  My daughter had to show me how to use a mouse, in three easy lessons that took a week!

Keeping my nose to the grindstone, I was promoted after only a year and a half to director of my department.

This position took me out of my comfort zone, but at the same time it was very rewarding.

I met some really good people, and the occasional celebrity.

I also enjoyed guiding and mentoring  the women around me, empowering them as much as I could.

Although I could not draw a straight line, I have always been creative in some form or another.  

I left drawing to my husband; his talent in that department was so much better than mine.

I encouraged him, even when he got lost in it and spent hours, days or weeks creating his paintings.  He was happy, which made me happy.  He always relied on me to critique his work, even when he wasn’t pleased with my comments.  He knew deep down that I told the truth as I saw it. That was enough for him.

Being married to an artist has been a roller coaster ride, and I would not have it any other way!

He has passed away recently, but he is still painting…sunsets in the sky.  I miss him.

I feel so blessed that he was in my life.. He remains my champion and hero.

Portions of Crystalyn's Creative Attic aim to keep his dream and legacy alive.

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