The Story of Butterfly Creations Az

I’m Maya Haley, and I grew up in the Tanque Verde Valley of Tucson, Arizona. I spent my childhood climbing trees, collecting rocks, and making frequent trips up Mt. Lemmon—always moving, always curious, and often accident-prone. That love of activity and recovery eventually led me to study Physiology and Medical Sciences at the University of Arizona, with plans to pursue a career in physical therapy.

But in 2022, I got COVID, and my body went into an immune storm that completely changed the course of my life. What I thought would be temporary symptoms turned into a long-term condition. It forced me to step back and rethink everything.

Through it all, crafting became a kind of therapy. I had always loved making things—I used to vend at craft fairs with my cousin, selling macramé, painted pots, and plants I propagated myself. It was never meant to be a business, just something fun to do while staying busy and making a little extra money.

In 2024, I picked things back up out of boredom—crocheting garlands and cup cozies, and making a few rough pressed floral jewelry pieces. The crochet didn’t take off, but people really connected with the jewelry. It wasn’t perfect, but the idea stuck.

After taking a break for surgery in December of 2024, in January, I came back with a new mindset: I was going to do this for real. I paid attention to what people responded to, what sold best, and what felt most true to me. The jewelry grew, piece by piece, into what Butterfly Creations is today—a small, handmade business rooted in Tucson, inspired by the desert’s quiet magic, and built on resilience, creativity, and love for the little things.

I'm still navigating ongoing health challenges, so I’ve learned to take things slow—to grow this business in a way that’s steady, sustainable, and right for me. And I absolutely couldn’t do any of this without the help of my boyfriend and my family. They support me in every way—from helping at markets and collecting flowers to managing small tasks I can’t do myself, like marketing, social media posts, and of course, just loving me through it all.

Butterfly Creations is more than just jewelry—it’s a reflection of the people, places, and small moments that make life beautiful, even when it looks different than you expected. Every Piece I make is a reminder to move with care, notice the beauty in the everyday and stay rooted in what matters.