Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Saez.
Hi Alyssa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I didn’t start this business or get into art because I had some perfect plan. I got into it because my life blew up after a divorce, I moved across the country, and I needed to rebuild from the ground up. I landed in rural Oregon with a tiny workspace, a senior rescue dog, and a brain that refuses to sit still. I started making things because it kept me sane and because creating feels like the one place where my ADHD actually works in my favor.
The Fabled Foundry started in a cramped corner of my living room. I didn’t have fancy tools or a studio. I had thrifted equipment, borrowed ideas, and a lot of stubbornness. I taught myself laser work, woodworking, leather crafting, candle making, cement casting, mold making, and whatever else caught my attention. Every time I learned something new, it opened another door. I like making things that feel like they belong in a fantasy world. Dark colors, folklore vibes, objects that look like they were pulled out of a story instead of bought at a store.
People started reacting to that. They’d walk into my booth and say it felt like stepping into another world. That was the moment I realized I wasn’t just making stuff. I was building a whole atmosphere. A whole identity.
I’m still growing this business one experiment at a time. I’m still learning new crafts and figuring out how to turn all of this into something stable and long term. My story isn’t neat or traditional. It’s messy, stubborn, creative, and very real. I built this life with my own hands, and I’m still building it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I rebuilt my entire life after a divorce and a cross‑country move, and I did it while trying to start a creative business from a tiny rural rental with limited power, limited tools, and a brain that likes to sprint in ten directions at once. Learning new crafts was exciting, but it was also a lot of trial and error. I ruined materials, clogged airbrushes, burned through leather scraps, and fought with equipment that was never meant for the kind of work I wanted to do.
Running a business while managing ADHD has been one of the biggest challenges. Staying organized, keeping a consistent schedule, and juggling multiple projects at once is not something that comes naturally to me. I had to build systems that worked for my brain instead of trying to force myself into the standard business mold.
Money was another hurdle. I started with thrifted tools, secondhand equipment, and whatever supplies I could afford at the time. Every upgrade came slowly. Every new skill came with its own learning curve and its own mistakes. Nothing about this has been easy or straightforward.
But every struggle pushed me to get better. Every setback taught me something. The road has been messy, stubborn, and full of problem solving, but it shaped the way I create and the way I run The Fabled Foundry today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create fantasy inspired art and handcrafted pieces that feel like they belong in another time or another world. My work spans laser crafting, woodworking, leatherwork, candle making, cement casting, mold making, and now sewing and embroidery. Learning fabric work has been a fun challenge. It lets me mix soft textures with the heavier materials I usually work with, which opens up a whole new range of ideas.
I specialize in making objects that feel like artifacts. I love dark enchanted colors, folklore themes, and anything that looks like it carries a story. I want people to pick up one of my pieces and feel like it came from a place that is a little strange, a little magical, and definitely not mass produced.
What sets me apart is the way I combine so many different mediums. Wood, leather, cement, resin, fabric, embroidery, laser engraving, and hand finishing all come together in my work. I am always learning something new and adding it to the mix. My process is experimental and hands‑on. I build things because my brain is constantly throwing ideas at me, and I like figuring out how to make them real.
I am proud of the fact that I built all of this from scratch. No formal training, no perfect studio, just curiosity, stubbornness, and the drive to create things that feel magical.
Any big plans?
I am planning to grow The Fabled Foundry into a set of creative branches that each focus on different parts of what I make. I work in so many mediums that it makes sense to let each lane develop its own identity. One branch will center on my fantasy inspired artifact pieces. Another will focus on leatherwork and woodworking. Another will grow from my new sewing and embroidery adventure. Each branch will have its own style while still feeling connected to the larger world I am building.
I also want to upgrade my equipment so I can take on more complex projects. A UV printer is at the top of my list because it will let me add color and texture in ways I cannot do right now. Every new tool opens up a new direction for my ideas.
Once I am stable and successful, I want to give back. I would love to open a maker studio where people can learn hands‑on skills without feeling intimidated or judged. I want to teach beginners, help other neurodivergent creatives find their lane, and work with charities or community groups that could benefit from access to tools and creative spaces. I know how much it meant to build all of this from nothing, and I want to make that path easier for someone else.
My long term plan is to build a creative life that feels sustainable, generous, and full of growth. I want to keep learning, keep experimenting, and keep expanding these branches into something that supports me while also giving me the chance to support others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thefabledfoundry.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefabledfoundry
- Other: https://www.lynkr.me/fabledfoundry
