Ambrese Carter is crafting for a cause

Sept. 22, 2017, was one of the hardest days of Ambrese Carter’s life. 

That was the day Carter lost her best friend and sister-in-law, Miracle McKenzie, whom she fondly called her “sister.” 

Now, the 24-year-old Oakland resident is celebrating her sister’s memory through her crafting boutique, Miracle’s 2Kute Kreationz.

CRAFTING COMRADES 

Carter said crafting was always something she and McKenzie did together. 

“I’ve always made little knickknacks when I was younger, whether it was jewelry or designing personalized T-shirts for school,” Carter said. “My sister actually wanted to start a business and said we should sell our items, which we did in high school for a little while. We just took it from there.”

McKenzie suffered from sickle cell anemia, a disorder that causes red blood cells to become misshapen and break down. The disease eventually took her life. 

One of the only things that made McKenzie feel better was working on the crafts with her sister. 

Carter said she originally got the idea for the business seven years ago, when McKenzie decided she wanted to get her own food truck. 

McKenzie was an excellent cook. She hoped to own a food truck from which she could share that passion with others and donate a portion of the earnings to those who suffered from the same disease.

To raise money for the truck, the two started the boutique. 

MEMORABLE MIRACLES

Carter said she enjoys expressing herself through colors and jewelry, and she hopes to bring that same love to others through her creations.

“Everyone should enjoy life and truly be themselves,” Carter said. “If I can help someone else be themselves and express that through my creations, then that would be dope. It means the world to me, even though my sister is no longer here.”

Carter can personalize cell phone cases, T-shirts, Crocs, tumblers, mugs, keychains and more. She uses anything from diamonds to fur, chains, charms, stickers and pictures. Her favorite project was a pair of Crocs she recently bedazzled.

Carter’s goal for the business is to raise money and spread the “infectious joy” McKenzie brought to the world. 

“This business means a lot to me, because not only does it allow me to do something I love, but it also helps me to feel connected with my sister,” Carter said. “I also give a portion of what we make to help find cures for sickle cell disease.”

Although she still is working on her website, the Oakland resident said she takes her crafts to farmers markets on the weekend and conducts orders through email and on social media.