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Rachel Courtney
Graphic Designer
 
Experience
Pretty Nice Creations • Las Cruces, NM • Wenatchee, WA • Broomfield, CO
Owner • 5/2016-present
Help clients communicate with their audience by creating logos, business cards, letterhead,
wedding invitations, announcements, instructional sheets, packaging, advertising design, rate cards, and more.
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N2 Company • Las Cruces, NM • El Paso, Texas
Creative Management • 11/2016-present
Provide concierge design service for more than 150 clients in high-quality neighborhood publications which create a sense of community and support local businesses. Publications include Stroll Sonoma Ranch (11/16+), Stroll Picacho Hills (11/16+), BeLocal Las Cruces (7/22+), Coronado Living (11/18 to 6/22), Franklin Hills Living (5/19 to 6/20), Life in Kern (2/20 to1/22), BeLocal West El Paso (7/20 to 12/22).
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Content Manager • 4/2019-8/2023
Write stories that showcase neighbors, their pets and local businesses. Keep events calendar up-to-date. Publications include Stroll Sonoma Ranch, Stroll Picacho Hills, BeLocal Las Cruces.
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​Horse N Hound Feed N Supply • Las Cruces, NM
Marketing Director • 3/2014-8/2016
Create brand strategy. Purchase and design ads according to budget. Write press releases, take photos, communicate with media. Plan events in full: concept, advertising, promotions, partnerships to fruition. Design all outgoing communications. Assist with company budget. Monitor social media. Human resources: scheduling, payroll, mediating.

Doña Ana Community College • Las Cruces, NM
Adjunct Instructor • Fall 2014, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2017 
Teach students a variety of skills using InDesign program as well as design principles.

Las Cruces Bulletin • Las Cruces, NM
Production Manager • 8/2006-2/2014 
Oversee the production of weekly newspaper. Create dummies from sales runsheets, paginate Business, Arts & Entertainment, Health & Well Being, Homes and Southwest Living, The Bottom Line and NMSU football and basketball sections, adjust photos for optimal print quality, troubleshoot. Coordinate workflow of 7 graphic designers. Maintain physical and digital archive of weekly newspaper, special sections and photographs. Communicate with printer and website provider.

Las Cruces Bulletin • Las Cruces, NM
Graphic Designer • 9/2005-8/2006 
Produce ads based on client preference, layout pages for sports and arts and lifestyles sections and special sections, design creative covers for arts and lifestyles section and work photos for weekly newspaper. Pre-press production.

KDBC-TV • El Paso, TX 
Production Assistant • 4/2004-9/2005
Produce daily live newscasts. Positions include graphic creator, video playback operator, audio operator, character generator operator, floor director, teleprompter operator and camera operator.

Education
New Mexico State University • Las Cruces, NM
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Linguistics • 8/1999-5/2003 
Emphasis in Advertising and Production, Creative Strategy/Copywriting, Advertising Campaigns 3.6 GPA
 
Doña Ana Community College • Las Cruces, NM
Certificate in Digital Graphics Technology • 7/2003-5/2004
Emphasis in Layout, Media Graphics & Design, Principles of Digital Graphics, Page Layout for Business Publications I & II, Image Processing, Computer Illustration, 3.9 GPA 

Awards

Las Cruces Young Professionals

LCYP of the Year • 2015

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Doña Ana Community College

2012 Distinguished Alumni

Technical and Industrial Studies Division

New Mexico Press Association

1st Place – Color Advertising

2005-2006 Weekly Newspaper Class 1

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New Mexico Press Association

Honorable Mention – Supplements & Special Editions

2005-2006 Weekly Newspaper Class 1

Volunteer Work

  • Project Linus Las Cruces - Blanketeer • 3/1999-present

    • Maintain Facebook page, crochet more than 200 blankets for children in need of comfort in our community. Attend events, write newsletter articles and promote Project Linus.

  • Doña Ana Photography Club • Member 2016-2018

    • Design Newsletter • 2/2017-7/2018

    • Attend Bootcamp and occasional monthly meetings

  • Alpine Meadows Spinners & Weavers Guild​ • Member 2019-2021

  • Broomfield Historical Society, 2023-present • design & social media management

  • Anchor House, 2023-present • design, website & social media management

  • Handweavers Guild of Boulder • Member 3/2022-present

    • board member

      • website management (2023-2025)

      • membership (2025-2026)

      • copresident (2025-2026)

Art Classes Attended

  • Crochet with Katie Kelly • Las Cruces, NM • 10/2000

  • Chan Liu-Inspired Bracelet Making with Jennifer Rogers • Las Cruces, NM • 3/2013

  • Saori Weaving with Dedri Quillin • Las Cruces, NM • 7/2016

  • Nuno-Felting with Judy Licht • Las Cruces, NM • 10/2016

  • Eco-Printing on Silk with Judy Licht • Las Cruces, NM • 7/2017

  • Triangle Loom Weaving with Susan Jewel • Las Cruces, NM • 5/2018

  • Awaken Your Inner Art Girl with Gail Lieurance and Mary Havenor • Las Cruces, NM • Fall 2017, Spring 2018

  • City of Las Cruces Museums Class • Las Cruces, NM

    • Printmaking with Katy Stuckel • Spring 2018

  • Doña Ana Arts Council • Las Cruces, NM • Spring 2018

    • Painting on Silk with Judy Licht

    • Painting Gourds with Pat Black

    • Pen & Ink with Watercolor with Sally Quillin

    • Gelatin Prints with Linda Elkins

    • Shibori Silk Scarf with Linda Elkins

  • Jewelry Making with Gypsy Lotus • Wenatchee, WA • 11/2018

  • Jelly Roll Rug with Sew Creative • Wenatchee, WA • 11/2018

  • Pickle Papers • Wenatchee, WA

    • Pointed Split Nib Calligraphy with Peggy Nichols • 1/2019

    • Intro to Karin Markers with Josie (Chalk Chick Mama) • 7/2019

  • Clay sculpture with Martha Flores• Wenatchee, WA • 7/2019​

  • Sketching and Watercolor with Kmbris Bond • Wenatchee, WA • 9/2019

  • Huck Weaving with Debby Whitehead, Cascade Weaving • Wenatchee, WA • 10/2019

  • Norwegian Hardanger Cut-thread Class with Shannon Eisert • Wenatchee, WA • 2/2020

  • Collapse Contemporary Art Gallery • Wenatchee, WA

    • ​Begin an Oil Painting with Lindsay Breidenthal • 7/2021

    • Needle Felted Goat's Milk Soap Workshop with Story Feist • 7/2021

    • Collage Creations with Chad Yenney • 8/2021

    • Botanical Papier Mâché with Sara Hasslinger • 9/2021

  • Mermaid Wine Glass Painting with Kmbris Bond • Wenatchee, WA • 2/2022

  • Longmont Yarn Shoppe • Longmont, CO

    • Introduction to Coiled Vessels with Mary Balzer • 3/2022

    • Coiled Vessels: Level 2 with Mary Balzer • 4/2022

    • Dye Your Own Yarn with Jennifer Miller • 7/2022, 7/2023

    • Stephanie Flynn Sokolov

      • Spinning 101 • 7/2022

      • Spinning 102 • 2/2023

      • Needle Felt a Baby Bunny • 4/2023

    • ​Blocking Basics with Hannah • 8/2022

    • Level Up Your Granny Square Game • 8/2022

    • Christianna Bowland

      • Aspen Christmas Stocking • 11/2022

      • Corner-to-Corner Crochet Snowman Scarf • 12/2022

    • Paint with Wool: Needle Felt 2-D Otter with Deborah Coccoli • 12/2023

    • Kathy Partridge

      • ​Ravelry 101 • 1/2024

      • Ravelry 201 • 3/2024

    • Crocheted Yip Yip Fiber Friday with Carissa Browning • 2/2024

    • Understanding Your Yarn & How It Shapes Your Project with Caroline Sommerfeld • 3/2024

      • Fibre Content

      • Construction

      • Yarn & Colour

    • Setting Goals for Improving our Knitting and Crocheting Techniques with Carson Demers • 4/2024

    • Confidence with Color: An Introduction to Color Theory for Fiber Artists with Pamela Schwab • 10/2024

  • Maker General • Longmont, CO

    • Woodworking Workshop with Riley Davis • 1/2022

    • Flower Pot Painting Workshop with Coy Ink • 4/2022

  • Basketweaving with Sue Smith • Johnstown, CO • 3/2022, 7/2022

  • Invent HQ • Broomfield, CO

    • Adult Playdate: Bookmaking with Laser Cutting (Coptic Stitch Wood Journals) • 7/2022

    • Adult Playdate: Fabric Journals • 7/2022

    • Adult Playdate: Faux Stained Glass • 8/2022

    • Crafty Night Out: Bottle Lanterns (Glass Etching) • 9/2022

    • Morning Makers: Experiment with Air Dry Clay • 9/2025

    • Morning Makers: Fabric Garlands • 11/2025

  • Twill Weaving with Sara Goldenberg White • Boulder, CO • 2/2023

  • Simple Printmaking with Janet Strickler • Boulder, CO • 2/2023

  • Needle Felted Mushroom Houses with Alexandra Busby, FingerPlay Studio • Louisville, CO • 4/2023

  • Bud Vase Workshop with Sally Spear, Modern Folklore • Lewisville, CO • 4/2023

  • Wet Felting with Janelle Sowers • Longmont, CO • 6/2023

  • Macro Photography with Bob Krugmire, Butterfly Pavilion • Broomfield, CO • 10/2023, 12/2025​

  • ​pARTiculars Art Gallery & Teaching Studio ​• Lafayette, CO

    • ​Silk Painting Workshop with Suzanne Connolly Howes • 4/2024​

    • Fused Glass Class with Molly Hargarten • 10/2024

  • Rebecca Lefebvre

    • Adult Playdate: Ink Wash Painting, InventHQ • Broomfield, CO • 9/2024

    • Broomfield Out Loud: Creativity Workshop, Broomfield Depot Museum • Broomfield, CO • 10/2024

    • Paint Your Pet, Three Leaf Farm • Lafayette, CO • 5/2025

  • Broomfield Recreation​ • Broomfield, CO

    • ​Batik • 8/2022

    • Adult Pottery - Handbuilding with Shennon Murphy • Spring 2025, two sessions

    • Beginner Thread Painting and Embroidery Workshop with Kelly Smith • 9/2025

  • ​Kokedama Class Front Range Gardens • Broomfield, CO • 1/2024

  • TinkerMill Stained Glass Shop • Longmont, CO

    • Intro to Stained Glass with Molly Talley • 3/2025

  • Kristi Arzola

    • ​Sunflower Watercolor, Acreage by Stem Ciders • Lafayette, CO • 5/2025​
    • Happy Bird, The Tilted Brick • Longmont, CO • 12/2025 

  • Handweavers Guild of Boulder

    • Colorado Weavers Day • 5/2022

    • Mini Workshop: Have a (felt) Bowl with Beth Marx • 5/2023

    • Thick and Thin Art Yarns with Charan Sachar • 3/2024

    • Felting Workshops with Katia Mokeyeva • 6/2025

    • Fleece Processing Study Group • 2025-2026​

    • ​Mini Workshop: Dorset Buttons: A Heritage Craft with Denise Kovnat • 11/2025
    • ​Mini Workshop: Corespinning: Simple to Complex with Charan Sachar • 1/2026

    • Introduction to Inkle Weaving with Sienna Bosch • Boulder, CO • 2/2026

    • Weaving Letters on Inkle Loom with Sienna Bosch • Boulder, CO • 2/2026

    • Introduction to Embroidery & Embroidery 2.0 with Shannon Downey • 4/2026

  • Boulder Public Library, Studio 24

    • Turkey Wing Whisk Broom with Devon Lindsley • 12/2025

    • Bojagi Workshop: Meet, Stitch, and Be with Hana Kim • Boulder, CO • 1/2026

  • Wreath Making with Elizabeth Simons • Longmont, CO • 12/2025​

Art Classes Taught 

  • Tutu Creation • Las Cruces, NM • 2014

  • Chan Liu-Inspired Bracelet Making 

    • In-Home Class • Las Cruces, NM, Wenatchee, WA • 6/2016, 2/2019, 4/2019

    • Collapse Contemporary Art Gallery • Wenatchee, WA • 9/2019, 7/2021

    • Gypsy Lotus • Wenatchee, WA • 12/2019

  • Jamberry Jewelry Creations 

    • ​In-Home Class • Las Cruces, NM • 7/2017, 8/2017, 4/2018

    • Amaro Winery • Las Cruces, NM • 2017​, 2018

  • Alcohol Ink Creations 

    • In-Home Class • Las Cruces NM, Wenatchee, WA • 12/2017, 3/2018, 4/2018, 5/2018, 3/2019 

    • Quillin-Steven's Gallery • Las Cruces NM • 3/2018

    • Doña Ana Arts Council Artrageous Series Class • Las Cruces NM • 5/2018

    • Reclaim Wellness Class • Las Cruces NM • 5/2018

    • Doña Ana Arts Council Career Art Path Students • Las Cruces NM • 6/2018

    • Hobby Lobby • Las Cruces NM • 6/2018

    • Las Cruces Arts Association • Las Cruces NM • 7/2018

    • Nopalito Restaurant • Las Cruces NM • 7/2018

    • Awaken Your Inner Art Girl • Las Cruces NM • 7/2018

    • Collapse Contemporary Art Gallery • Wenatchee, WA • 6/2019, 7/2019, 8/2019, 9/2019, 12/2019, 1/2020, 7/2021, 9/2021

    • Firehouse Art Center • Longmont, CO • 1/2022, 3/2022

    • City of Longmont Museum • Longmont, CO • 3/2022

    • Skystone • Broomfield, CO • 3/2022, 4/2022

  • Prayer Flag Creations 

    • Collapse Contemporary Art Gallery • Wenatchee, WA • 10/2019

    • Inna's Cuisine • Wenatchee, WA • 11/2019

  • Rock Painting 

    • Collapse Contemporary Art Gallery • Wenatchee, WA • 11/2019

    • In-Home Class • Wenatchee, WA • 4/2019

  • Tree of Life Beading 

    • Collapse Contemporary Art Gallery • Wenatchee, WA • 8/2021

  • Pine Needle Basket Weaving 

    • In-Home Class • Wenatchee, WA • 5/2019

    • Collapse Contemporary Art Gallery • Wenatchee, WA • 10/2019, 11/2019, 12/2019, 2/2020, 6/2021, 7/2021, 8/2021

    • Hard Hat Winery • Wenatchee, WA • 2/2020

    • Firehouse Art Center • Longmont, CO • 1/2022, 3/2022, 4/2022

    • Skystone• Broomfield, CO • 3/2022

    • Fingerplay Studio • Louisville, CO • 3/2024

    • Handweavers Guild of Boulder • Boulder, CO • 1/2025, 3/2025

    • Studio 24 Maker Space (Boulder Public Library) • Boulder, CO ​• 2/2025

  • Pine Needle Basket Weaving on Gourds 

    • Collapse Contemporary Art Gallery • Wenatchee, WA • 9/2021

    • Firehouse Art Center • Longmont, CO • 4/2022

  • Pine Needle Basket Weaving on Pottery 

    • Smokestack Pottery • Fort Collins, CO • 5/2022

  • Lino Block Printing Class 

    • Collapse Contemporary Art Gallery • Wenatchee, WA • 7/2021, 8/2021, 9/2021

    • Wenatchee River Institute • Wenatchee, WA • 8/2021

    • Firehouse Art Center • Longmont, CO • 2/2022, 5/2022

    • Broomfield Community Center • Broomfield, CO • 10/2023

  • Needle Felting 
    • City of Longmont Museum • Longmont, CO • 4/2022
    • Maker General • Longmont, CO • 6/2022
  • ​Coiled Rainbows 
    • Broomfield Community Center • Broomfield, CO • 5/2024
  • Broom Making
    • In-Home Class • Broomfiled, CO • 1/2026

Art Exhibits

  • Monumental Exhibit (Group Show) • West End Art Depot • Las Cruces, NM • 5/2015

  • Southern New Mexico State Fair (Group Show) • Las Cruces, NM • 10/2016

    • Earning First Place Ribbons for Weaving and Felted Cloud, Second Place Ribbon for Crochet Blanket, Third Place for Crochet Necklace, Fourth Place for I Love NM (Zia) Pillow, Honorable Mention for Weaving​

  • For the Love of Art Month (Group Show) • Rio Grande Theatre Art Gallery, Mas Art • Las Cruces, NM • 2/2017

  • Pretty Nice Creations: Every Day in Every Way (Solo Show) • Tombaugh Gallery • Las Cruces, NM • 8/2017

  • Uplifting Artwork (Multiple artists donated for Infusion Center) • Memorial Medical Center • Las Cruces, NM • 5/2018

  • First Friday Art Walk with Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce • Wenatchee, WA • 3/2020

  • Handweaver's Guild of Boulder Showcase and Sale • Boulder, CO 

    • 2022 • I Make Things Because I Must • Coiled Basket Sunflower and Silver Lining/Cloudy Day​

    • 2024 • Past Made Present • Pinecone Sunflower

Sales/Marketing Classes Attended

  • AI query frameworks workshop with Angela Orlando • 1/2026

  • ADA Compliance/PDF Management training with Chad Chelius • 4/2018, 7/2020, 3/2023, 4/2025

  • Facebook Training • 8/2016

  • Inbound Marketing • Spring 2016

  • Retail Solutions • Fall 2015

  • WhizBang Retail Training • Fall 2015

  • Animal Care Workshop • 9/2014 • Purina Farms • St. Louis, Mo

  • Purina Customer Service Training • 10/2014 • Albuquerque, NM

Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce • Las Cruces, NM

  • Member 2016-2018 • Attend First Friday Lunch and Learns, Green Drinks Networking Events, Donate to Auctions

  • Think Local First Committee • 2016-2018 • Create "Think Local Love" and "Think Local First" Logos, plan local education events, participation in the "No More Walmart" campaign, create the Green Gift Guide to promote shopping small during the holidays

  • First Friday Solo Proprietor • Panelist • 6/2017

  • First Friday Building your Branding • Presenter • 2/2018

  • Award of Appreciation • 4/2015

  • Ribbon Cutting • 8/2017

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Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces • Las Cruces, NM • Member 2015-2018

  • January 2018: Leading Change in the Congregation: Spiritual and Organizational Tools for Leaders with Rev. Suzanne Redfern-Campbell and Rev. Nancy J Anderson, minister emerita UUCLC

  • Tombaugh Gallery Committee • 3/2015-7/2018 • Curate exhibits, design and distribute postcards, write and send press releases to media, create events and add photos to Facebook, create labels for exhibits, hang artwork, create scholarship fund and reward.

  • Ministerial Search Committee • 5/2017-5/2018 • Work with 6 other church members to facilitate casita meetings, design packet, announcements, communication to congregation, review Ministerial Records, interview candidates, welcome pre-candidates to Las Cruces and narrow down to one final candidate. Resulted in the hiring of Rev. Dr. Xolani Kacela.

  • Auction Committee • Timeless Treasures Jewelry Sale • 10/2017 • Collect donations, create announcements, coordinate volunteers, price jewelry and work sale resulting in more than $2,500 of funds raised. 

  • Aesthetics Committee • 2017-2018 • Assist with the design of new outdoor sign, color palette and general graphic design at church

  • Retirement Celebration Committee • 2018 • Plan retirement party for Rev. Suzanne Redfern-Campbell

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Cascade Unitarian Universalist Church • Wenatchee, WA • 2019-2020​

  • QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training with Julie A. Rickard, PhD • 2/2019

  • Visual Arts Team • 2018-2020 • Work with worship leaders and committee to design a visually appealing and pertinent sanctuary each month

  • The Give-Away Christmas Play • Christmas 2018 • Assistant Director • Mask Maker

  • Covenant Group Member • 2019-2020

Shops

From baby blankets to Pride jewelry and custom I Love Colorado notecards, several stores have carried my creations since I started my business.​

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© Copyright 2026 • Pretty Nice Creations LLC • Broomfield, CO, USA

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