The Creative Jam Origin Story

No Fish Sticks, Just Glue Sticks

It’s been almost a year since we opened our doors, and sometimes I still look around and think:
“Wait… did we actually build a real thing?”
Answer: yes. Yes, we did. And not just with glue guns and coffee (although, honestly, those were involved).

So, in honor of our upcoming Paperjamiversary (yes, that’s a thing!), let’s take a moment to tell the story of how this wonderfully weird creative space came to be—in a building that used to smell like fish, not acrylic paint.

Welcome to the Creative Jam Origin Story…

First, the Name

Let’s start with the “Jam” in Creative Jam, because that’s where most people get stuck.
“Is it a place that sells jam?”
“Is it music?”
“Is it like… jelly but fancier?”

Answer: all valid guesses.
But no, we don’t hand you toast when you walk in (although now that I’ve written that, I kind of want to). We are going to have warm, fresh baked cookies once soon- I can’t wait. Nom, nom, nom.

The truth? “Jam” means coming together to create.
Think improv jam. Think jazz jam. Think wildly unscripted collaboration where no one knows what’s happening, but everyone’s doing it together and somehow…it works. That’s the energy here. Creative. Messy. Joyful.

And yes, we eventually did start selling actual jam—but that’s a different blog post. (Or… this one, if you’ve been scrolling backward.)

---

Why Not Just Call It an “Art Studio”?

Great question. Short answer? Because the word “artist” makes a lot of people weirdly uncomfortable.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say:

“Oh, I’m not an artist, but I like to make stuff sometimes…”

There’s a pressure in the word “artist”—like you’re only allowed to use it if you sell your work for thousands of dollars or you’ve had a gallery show in Paris.
But creativity is for everyone.

You can call yourself an artist if you want to. Or not. You can just be someone who likes to paint, glue, sew, build, sketch, doodle, decorate, or stack pebbles into weird little towers. There are no rules.

That’s why Creative Jam felt right. It’s open. It’s approachable. It invites you in without needing credentials.

---

So… Why a Log Cabin?

Because the universe has a sense of humor.

When I first saw the building, I wasn’t sure if it was a lodge, a lodge-themed restaurant, or a very ambitious Lincoln Log tribute. But then I stepped inside—and I saw it:
42 five-foot-tall windows, natural light everywhere, soaring ceilings, and enough rustic charm to make a Hallmark movie jealous.

And sure, it used to be FISH307, home of all things tackle, bait, and “is that a mounted fish on the wall?”
But now? It’s home to paper trimmers, paint palettes, jam jars (the fruity kind), and the occasional sparkly unicorn sticker.

It didn’t take long to realize this was the perfect space to build something new. Not just a classroom. Not just a shop. But a hub for creative people to come together and make things, learn things, and feel like they belong.

---

What It’s Turned Into

In less than a year, Creative Jam has become a home for:

• Classes and workshops of all kinds
• Paper Jams (our signature scrapbooking/crafting retreats)
• Princess parties, paint nights, sound baths, Jeep journal-making, and yes—even figure drawing with a guy named Magic Mike
• A whole community of people who just want to explore what they’re capable of—with no pressure, no judgment, and plenty of snacks

It’s messy and beautiful and ever-evolving. And if you’re reading this, you’re part of the story now, too.

---

Come Celebrate With Us

Now that you have heard the Creative Jam origin story… If you want to see what a Creative Jam looks like in person, join us for our Paperjamiversary retreat on May 3 & 4—it’s our first birthday and National Scrapbooking Day, so we’re basically required to make a big deal out of it.

Until next time,
Thanks for jamming with us.
— Creative Jam