Rainbow Crayon Creator & Founder Nicole Lewis Featured on Etsy

January 30, 2022 | Updated March 26, 2025 

Crayons, Crayons, and More Crayons

Since 2007, crayon creator Nicole Lewis, founder of Art 2 the Extreme, has made her colorful mark on the world of art supplies and children's gifts through her playful collection of Original Rainbow Crayons®. As a dedicated crayon maker, Nicole's handcrafted designs bring a mixture of creativity, imagination, and fun to kids and adults alike.

These vibrant crayons make the perfect treats for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions, offering a unique way to engage with art and color.

Nicole has set the standard on the handmade product site, Etsy, crafting a variety of colorful creations that inspire children and families to create and explore. In 2020, her custom crayons earned a top 10 spot in the Kids Category of the Etsy Design Awards, standing out among 5 million Etsy shops at the time. Her work has not only helped children embrace their artistic side but has also brought joy to adults who love creativity and color.

As a passionate crayon designer, Nicole sat down with Etsy during a studio visit to share how she turned her teaching side hustle into a full-time career filled with art, colors, and imagination.

Watch the full Etsy Quit Your Day Job series article here and see how her journey continues to bring fun and creativity to families worldwide. You can also read the Full Etsy "Quit Your Day Job" article.

Her story is a testament to how a simple love for crayons can transform into a lifelong passion that engages and inspires people of all ages.

From educational games to artistic projects, Art 2 the Extreme’s rainbow crayons make every day more colorful. Whether you're looking for the perfect gift, a way to spark creativity, or just a fun way to bring art into your life, these handcrafted crayons are the ultimate choice. Join the colorful world of Art 2 the Extreme and discover how crayons can give joy, imagination, and artistic expression to your family’s life!

The Crayon Maker Lifestyle

Nicole Lewis’s days are filled with color—literally. As a crayon artist and designer, she spends her mornings in the studio, carefully crafting each crayon by hand, blending a variety of vibrant hues to create her signature Original Rainbow Crayon® designs.

Whether she’s pressing, pouring, and carving, a fresh batch of oversized crayons, experimenting with new color mixtures, or packing up orders for eager customers, every day is a celebration of creativity in her crayon studio (or “meltery” as she calls it).

But Nicole’s world doesn’t stop at the crayon studio. She was an elementary art teacher for 10 years before exiting teaching to pursue a career in crayons. In between running a thriving handmade business, she also steps into the classroom as a substitute teacher at her boys’ school. Balancing the roles of entrepreneur and educator, she finds joy in watching children’s creativity come to life—both through her crayons and in the classroom. When school ends, family time takes center stage, whether it’s helping with homework, driving one son soccer and the other son to taekwondo practices, or playing games on the Nintendo switch with her Mini Crayon Crew and husband, "Mr. Crayon”. 

Through it all, Nicole embraces the beautiful chaos of life as a crayon maker, business owner, and mom. She’s proof that following your passion doesn’t mean sacrificing family—it means finding creative ways to bring joy, color, and love into every part of the day.