A Journey of International Arts & Crafts

Apr 06, 2025

What is your name, where are you from?

Doris Lebby, originally from Summerville, SC, currently living in Grand Forks, ND

What do you like most about where you live?

I love the small-town feel of Grand Forks and the diverse community. The people here are kind, and I appreciate the diversity that comes from the university and the nearby Air Force base. It’s wonderful to meet people from all over the world and experience different cultures.

How did you come up with the idea?

My journey began when I traveled to Mexico and witnessed talented people living in poverty. In Ethiopia I saw women creating beautiful woven plates, spinning yarn, and making scarves.

Others were selling and profiting from them while they remained undervalued and unrecognized.

This experience made me passionate about lifting up artists. Hence, the Creative Purpose Collective. A shop featuring handcrafted goods from local and global artists.

What are your income streams?

Brick & Mortar and Events

How have you grown your business?

First by showcasing handmade goods. And building a community that wants to support artists and crafters. The shop is beautiful and inviting. Showcasing art and the stories behind the work.

What is your favorite product?

It’s so hard to pick a favorite. I love so many of them. However, one of my favorite products is the “Global Glamorous Girls” series. These pieces feature women’s heads covered in maps.

A few are planters so they look like they have plants growing out of their heads. I’ve always had a love for maps and the idea of traveling the world, so these pieces reflect my personal passions and the beauty of constant growth.

If you could go back, would you do anything differently?

I would collect items from the more than 30 countries I’ve traveled to. It would have added more depth and richness to the work we’re doing now.

What are your goals?

To continue to connect with artists and share their stories. By showcasing their talent, I hope to elevate their work and bring them the recognition they deserve, while building community.

What tools do you use?

Facebook. Instagram. Canva to create visuals. Zettle for checkout. Arlo for security cameras. We also do traditional marketing, including flyers, brochures, and local partnerships.