Amber Newton, a Cary native and North Carolina State University graduate, initially aspired to study art but pursued a career in teaching. After leaving her role as a high school Spanish teacher to care for her three children, she fully embraced her creative work.
Now, 10 years later, Newton creates home décor and custom pieces for special events like weddings. Her offerings include North Carolina-inspired watercolor prints, glassware, hats, T-shirts, stickers, tea towels, and stationery.
"I'm inspired by North Carolina... I've always been really proud to be from here," she said. "I really wanted to create products that helped people feel proud of where they're from and also to take pieces of home with them."
Her work is sold at small businesses across the state, including gift shops and at Raleigh-Durham International Airport at The District in Terminal 1.
"Getting my stuff in the airport felt really big," Newton said.
She also called being featured in Our State magazine "a proud moment," noting that her children now spot her work when they see the publication in public.
"They're like, 'Mom, that's your stuff right there,' which is really cool."
Amber Taylor Creative also sells online through Etsy and at pop-up markets across North Carolina.