Meet Kelly Dekany: San Diego's DIY Queen, Cookie Wizard + The Creative Force Behind Gals That Craft Club 🎨✨
Picture this: It's October 2024. Mid-spooky-season. We're hosting a Halloween brunch, and in walks Kelly D., dressed as the cutest granny that ever grannied. Full costume. Full commitment. Full energy .
Pictured Here: (I mean the cuuuutest and can we talk about first brunch energy, completely ELITE)
GTB Halloween Brunch, October 2024 @ STK
And just like that? Game over. Our lives have never been the same.
It's been exactly 505 days since Kelly walked into our world and honestly? She's been bringing color, sparkle, and pure magic to our lives ever since. She's like our very own Lisa Frank meets Martha Stewart, but make it Glitter Explosion DIY Queen energy.
She's brought glitter (the non-toxic kind, obviously), whimsy, and an explosion of pastels into our San Diego women's community. She's turned Friday nights into craft therapy sessions. She's baked cookies so gorgeous they've literally stopped our group chats in their tracks.
And she's created spaces where showing up solo doesn't feel scary, it feels like coming home.
If you've ever wanted to relive your most nostalgic, colorful, creative childhood dreams while also making real adult friendships in San Diego, Kelly D. is your girl. And we're about to tell you exactly why.
Meet Kelly: Pastel Goblin Auntie, Cookie Wizard, Craft Club Queen
Let's get one thing straight: Kelly is a creative. The detail-driven, imagination-fueled, "I-see-potential-in-everything" kind of creative.
Whether she's painting, baking, rescuing beat-up furniture from the curb and turning it into something Pinterest-worthy, or thrifting her way through San Diego's best vintage spots—she brings her own style and magic into everything she does.
But here's what makes Kelly truly special: she cares deeply about connection, community, and creating small moments of joy for herself and the people around her.
Her current alter-ego? "Definitely in my 'pastel goblin auntie who hoards cute things and makes magic out of crafts' era."
Honestly? We're obsessed. Long live pastel goblin aunties everywhere.
The Endo Warrior Who Keeps Showing Up
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and it feels especially meaningful to honor stories like Kelly's and shine a little more light on a condition that impacts so many women, often far more quietly than it should.
We need to talk about something important: Kelly has been through a lot. Living with endometriosis isn't just a footnote in her story—it's been a significant theme in her life. Endo is one of those invisible battles that so many women fight, often in silence. It's chronic pain. It's unpredictable flare-ups. It's cancelled plans and difficult days and a body that sometimes feels like it's working against you.
But here's the thing about Kelly: she's a victorious queen.
Despite the challenges, despite the pain, despite the days when getting out of bed feels impossible—Kelly keeps showing up. She keeps creating. She keeps hosting. She keeps baking. She keeps building community.
She doesn't let endometriosis define her or limit her, even when it tries to.
And that's not just inspiring…it's powerful. Because Kelly is proof that you can be dealing with chronic illness and still create beautiful things. You can be fighting invisible battles and still show up for your community. You can be in pain and still bring joy to others.
She's open about her journey with endo, and that vulnerability has created space for other women in our San Diego community to share their own health struggles. She's shown us that you don't have to be "perfect" or "healed" or "fixed" to be worthy of community, creativity, and celebration.
You can be exactly where you are… managing chronic illness, navigating hard days, doing your best and still be absolutely thriving.
Kelly doesn't just survive. She creates. She connects. She inspires. She shows up.
And that's why she's not just a craft club host or a cookie baker, she's a reminder that resilience looks like glitter and pastels and showing up anyway. She's proof that you can be soft and strong at the same time.
The Vibe: Colors, Chaos, and Cookies
If Kelly had a mood board (and let's be real, she probably has seventeen), it would be titled: Colors, Chaos, and Cookies.
That's the whole vibe. That's the energy. That's what happens when you walk into one of her San Diego Craft Club nights or order a batch of her ridiculously gorgeous cookies from Disco Desserts.
Kelly lives in a color palette of pinks, pastels, and anything that screams "pink Christmas vibes." She's always got a fan (MUST), lip gloss, and a pack of gum in her bag. Her go-to sip? An iced pumpkin chai latte (or "PUNKIN CHAAAI" as she'd put it on a tote bag).
Her perfect weekend involves thrifting through La Mesa's best vintage spots, baking something sweet, crafting with friends over wine, and ending the night with her husband and their kitty, probably watching a comfort show.
She's currently reading Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (10 chapters in—her biggest reading streak in YEARS!). She's listening to Manchester Orchestra and City and Colour on repeat. And she's dreaming up cute cookie ideas that feel playful and a little magical.
In short? Kelly is living her most colorful life, and she's inviting all of us to do the same. One craft at a time. One cookie at a time. One DIY project at a time.
What Is Gals That Craft Club San Diego, Anyway?
Here's the deal: Kelly wanted to join a craft club in San Diego for so long and could never find one. So she did what any creative, community-loving queen would do, she made her own. (yesss she did KWEEN)
And thus, Gals That Craft Club San Diego was born. (Also lovingly known as Cutie Craft Club Corner, Gals That Brunch Crafty, or simply Gals That Crafty Club because we love a good spin-off, and this one is chef's kiss .)
Since this past summer, Kelly has been hosting Craft Club one Friday night a month… a night where women can come together, unwind, and create. We started off at The Living Room by State, then made our way over to La Mesa Wine Works who have been so amazing to collaborate with. Watching this San Diego women's community grow has been absolutely magical.
Month after month, Kelly shows up with the same energy, the same warmth, and the same commitment to making everyone feel like they belong.
It's the perfect way to end the week: wine (or coffee!), snacks, a table full of craft supplies, and a room full of people who just get it.
How It Works: BYOC (Bring Your Own Craft)
Gals That Craft Club San Diego is usually BYOC aka Bring Your Own Craft. Which means you can bring whatever little creative project is calling your name and work on it alongside a table full of lovely, artsy, welcoming women.
Painting, scrapbooking, beading, embroidery, journaling, friendship bracelets, coloring, felting, knitting, a half-finished DIY kit from your "this looked so fun at the time" era… it all counts here, babe.
And the best part? You do NOT need to be super crafty to come. This is not one of those intimidating creative spaces where everyone somehow knows exactly what they're doing and you're stressed about bringing the "right" thing.
Gals That Craft Club is meant to feel easy, fun, and low-pressure, more cozy girls' night meets creative reset than formal art class. You can bring something simple, something half-finished, something from your Covid hobby era, or something you literally just grabbed because you wanted an excuse to make space for it.
And every now and then, Kelly sprinkles in something extra cute. Last month, for example, we teamed up with our North County book club besties and bedazzled books together , which was exactly as adorable as it sounds.
That's really the heart of Gals That Craft Club San Diego: it's flexible, welcoming, and wildly charming. It's a monthly San Diego women's craft night where you can come as you are, make something with your hands, meet kind new people, and end the week feeling a little lighter, a little more inspired, and a lot more connected.
You might leave with a finished project. You might leave with glitter on your sleeves. You will very likely leave feeling glad you came.
What to Bring to San Diego Craft Club
Maybe you're working on a scrapbook. Maybe you're painting. Maybe you're making beaded bracelets or keychains, one of Kelly's favorite quick craft wins. Maybe you're trying a paint-by-number kit because you want something beginner-friendly but still ridiculously cute when it's done.
Whatever you bring, the point isn't perfection. It's connection. It's creativity. It's making room for joy again.
Kelly says her favorite part of hosting is simple: being around women who love the same kinds of things. Getting to meet new gals, chat, unwind, sip something cozy, and spend the evening around a table full of supplies, laughter, and little works in progress.
And if you're thinking about coming solo, let this be your sign. Gals That Craft Club San Diego is the kind of space where new friends are genuinely welcomed in. So many women walk in a little nervous and leave wondering why they didn't come sooner.
There's something really special about a room full of women creating, relaxing, and cheering each other on and that's exactly what makes this one of our favorite creative events in San Diego.
The DIY Queen: From Curb Finds to Cookie Magic
Let's talk about Kelly's creative superpowers, shall we? Because this woman is the definition of a DIY queen. She's Martha Stewart meets Lisa Frank, but with more pastels and better playlists.
The Curb Rescue That Became Legend
Earlier this year, one of Kelly's neighbors put out a small cube shelf. It sat on the curb for five days because it was a little beat up. When no one claimed it, Kelly snagged it. Her husband had doubts (as husbands do).
But Kelly? She spent the next week sanding it, repainting it (pink, obviously!), and adding cute shelf liners.
The before-and-after was shocking . She's still so proud of that makeover. And honestly? We are too.
That's the Kelly energy: seeing potential in things other people overlook, putting in the work, and creating something beautiful. Whether she's thrifting through San Diego's vintage shops or rescuing furniture from the curb, Kelly has an eye for transformation.
Disco Desserts:
Where Cookie Dreams Come True
Right now, Kelly is really into baking. And not just any baking, we're talking about cookies so gorgeous, so perfectly decorated, so chef's kiss that they've literally blown our community's collective mind.
"I love making other people happy," Kelly shares. "Seeing how a sweet treat can brighten someone's day brings me so much joy. Also… I'm addicted to making things, and baking lets me give the creations away instead of hoarding them all around my house, LOL."
Enter: Disco Desserts (@disco_desserts on Instagram).
Kelly has been working on launching her San Diego cookie business, and let us tell you—the way her cookies have taken over our community is mind-blowing.
Let's Talk About Those Snickerdoodles
Okay, we need to have a serious conversation about Kelly's Snickerdoodles from Galsgiving. Because honestly? They've been living rent-free in our brains ever since.
Like, we're talking about cookies so good that we're still thinking about them weeks later. Months later. Forever later.
Soft. Perfectly spiced. That signature cinnamon-sugar coating that somehow tastes like childhood and sophistication at the same time. These aren't just cookies, they're an experience. They're a hug in edible form. They're the reason you order "just a dozen" and then immediately regret not ordering three dozen.
But wait…there's more. Because while the Snickerdoodles are absolutely iconic, the S'mores cookies are definitely a runner-up in the "cookies that changed our lives" category. Gooey marshmallow. Rich chocolate. Graham cracker vibes. It's like summer camp but make it fancy . It's like nostalgia but make it now .
Whether you're ordering cookies for your office holiday party, a birthday celebration, or just because you need something beautiful and delicious in your life, Kelly's got you covered. Order some for Christmas for your office, and you will be the star of the show. Her sugar cookies? Equally amazing. Her presentation? Immaculate. Her attention to detail? Unmatched.
And yes, they taste as good as they look. (We've done the research. Extensively. Multiple times. For science ofc.)
Kelly's Craft Philosophy: Anyone Can Do Anything
Here's something we love about Kelly: she genuinely believes that anyone can do any craft.
"Find a good YouTube or TikTok tutorial and just start," she says. "We were all beginners once!"
Her go-to beginner-friendly project? Paint-by-number kits. "They're great for beginners because they guide you through each step, but the finished result looks like it came from a pro."
But honestly? Kelly's philosophy goes deeper than just crafts. It's about showing up. Trying. Learning. Not letting fear or perfectionism stop you from creating something beautiful. It's about finding joy in the process, not just the outcome. It's about giving yourself permission to be a beginner, to mess up, to try again.
And that philosophy? It applies to making friends in San Diego, too. It applies to managing chronic illness. It applies to launching a business. It applies to life.
Because here's the thing: showing up to Gals That Craft Club San Diego for the first time can feel scary. Walking into a room full of strangers can feel vulnerable. But Kelly has created a space where that fear melts away. Where everyone remembers what it felt like to be new. Where the community genuinely wants you there.
"Every single one of us showed up alone and nervous at some point," Kelly reminds us. "But what comes after you push through that fear is amazing."
The Brunch Lover's Corner
Because this is Gals That Brunch, we have to talk about Kelly's brunch preferences.
Favorite brunch item on earth: Biscuits and gravy. Pure comfort food.
Favorite San Diego brunch spot: "Does Lips count? Because I LOVE a good drag brunch with bottomless mimosas!!" (Yes, Kelly. Lips absolutely counts. And we love you for it.)
Favorite San Diego coffee spot: The Simple Coffee House in La Mesa.
Sweet or savory: Sweet, all day.
Honestly? This tracks. Kelly is sweetness personified. She's the friend who shows up with cookies and kindness. She's the host who makes sure everyone feels welcome. She's the creative who turns ordinary moments into something magical.
Why Kelly Matters (And Why Gals That Craft Club San Diego Matters)
At Gals That Brunch, we're not just about helping you make friends in San Diego (though we're definitely about that). We're about helping you THRIVE in every area of your life.
That's why we showcase the incredible giftings and talents of so many women throughout this community. That's why we connect you with resources for health, wealth, career advice, creativity, and everything in between.
Sometimes that looks like therapy. Sometimes that looks like career coaching. And sometimes? That looks like therapy in the form of crafting.
Because there's something deeply healing about sitting around a table with other women, working with your hands, creating something beautiful, and realizing you're not alone. There's something powerful about showing up as yourself, messy, creative, nervous, excited, managing chronic illness, doing your best and being welcomed exactly as you are.
Kelly understands this. She's lived this. She's created this.
She's shown us that you can be dealing with endometriosis and still host incredible events. You can be fighting invisible battles and still inspire a whole community. You can be in pain and still create beauty. You can be exactly where you are and still be absolutely thriving.
And that's why Gals That Craft Club San Diego matters. That's why Kelly matters.
The Growth: From The Living Room to La Mesa Wine Works
When Kelly started hosting Gals That Craft Club San Diego, we kicked things off at The Living Room by State. It was cozy, it was intimate, and it was the perfect place to test out this wild idea of "what if we just... crafted together?"
And then? It grew.
Month after month, more people showed up. More friendships formed. More magic happened. We've expanded to La Mesa Wine Works, who have been so amazing to collaborate with, creating the right vibe, warm, welcoming, and conducive to both crafting and connecting.
Watching Gals That Craft Club San Diego grow has been one of the most beautiful parts of this journey. Because it's proof that people are hungry for this kind of connection. That women in San Diego are looking for spaces where they can be creative, authentic, and themselves. That Kelly's vision of a craft club that's really about community was exactly what this city needed.
And she shows up for it. Every. Single. Month. One Friday night a month. Consistently. Reliably. With the same warmth and creativity.
No matter what's going on in her life, no matter how busy she is with Disco Desserts or her own creative projects, no matter how her body is feeling that day, Kelly shows up for Gals That Craft Club San Diego with the same energy, the same warmth, and the same commitment to making everyone feel like they belong.
That's leadership. That's community. That's Kelly. That's a victorious queen.
The Final Word: Long Live the DIY Queen
Here's what we know for sure: Kelly D. is our very own Lisa Frank meets Martha Stewart, but make it DIY queen energy. She's brought back the glitter, the whimsy, the color, and the magic but in a way that feels grown-up, intentional, and deeply connected.
It's been 505 days since she walked into that Halloween brunch as the cutest granny that ever was. And in that time, she's helped us all live out our most colorful lives. She's created Gals That Craft Club San Diego (also lovingly known as Gals That Brunch Crafty or Gals That Crafty Club because we love a good spin-off). She's turned one Friday night a month into the most anticipated creative gathering in San Diego.
Whether she's hosting Gals That Craft Club San Diego, baking Snickerdoodles that live rent-free in our brains, rescuing furniture from the curb, thrifting through San Diego's best vintage spots, or simply showing up despite the challenges of endometriosis, Kelly shows up with heart, creativity, and a commitment to making people feel seen.
She's the friend who brings the supplies and the snacks. She's the baker who makes your office party legendary. She's the host who makes strangers into friends. She's the pastel goblin auntie we all need in our lives. She's the endo warrior who keeps creating. She's the victorious queen who proves that you can be exactly where you are and still be absolutely thriving.
And if you haven't sat at one of her craft tables yet or ordered a batch of her cookies—what are you waiting for?
Ready to craft with Kelly?
Follow her on Instagram: @_hellokello and @disco_desserts
Join us at our Monthly Craft Club:
https://www.galsthatbrunch.com/brunches2024/april-san-diego-craft-club-cuties-allied-gardens
Order cookies for your next event and become the office hero: DM @disco_desserts
Join Gals That Craft Club San Diego (one Friday night a month!) and find your people: Follow @galsthatbrunch @GalsThatBrunchSD for monthly updates
Gals That Craft Club San Diego: Where Therapy Looks Like Glitter, Wine, and a Table Full of Supplies.
Also lovingly known as Gals That Brunch Crafty. Or Gals That Crafty Club. Because we love a good spin-off, and this one is everything.
Because life's too short for boring Friday nights, plain cookies, and not having a community that sees you, celebrates you, and helps you thrive.
Long live girlhood. Long live Kelly D. Long live the magic that happens when creative souls gather around a table. Long live Gals That Craft Club San Diego. 💖✨🎨