Monthly Feature: Meet Hero's Heroes!

We are thrilled to introduce you to another member of the Hero Arts family! There are many people behind the scenes who work hard every day to bring you quality products and inspiration. This is part of a monthly feature so you can get to know them a little better. We call them Hero's Heroes because they are how we do what we do!

Today we are spending some time with Raun Edano (he's the one on the right)!

What do you do for Hero Arts and how long have you been here?
I design and illustrate for Hero Arts. If you can't already tell, I am Robin's twin brother. There is actually a funny story behind how I joined Hero Arts in early 2015. During the busy season, Aaron (our CEO) joked that they needed to clone Robin. My brother replied "Well as a matter of fact I actually do have a twin who is an illustrator!". On my first day I came in, sat down, and went straight to work. No one really questioned why I was here or who I was, mostly everyone thought I was Robin anyway so I fit in like a glove. For the first couple of days some people thought they where having deja vu, wondering how Robin got from one place to the other so quickly.

When they brought me on board it was around the time they were first brainstorming about the My Monthly Hero kits. My first major task was to design the first monthly kit - the Color Layering Poinsettia –which was such a huge honor to do. Since then I've been designing kits like the Mermaid kit, Fairy kit, and the Sea Life kit. It is amazing to be a part of something that first started as an idea, and to see how it evolved to become what it is today.

What do you like the most about working here?
Working here is such a pleasure because I am able to create artwork that others enjoy and inspires further creativity. It puts a huge smile on my face when I see the beautiful cards that are made using our designs. I am so thankful for being a part of Hero Arts. Everyone at Hero Arts has a role they play and it is their hard work they put in that makes it such a joy to be a part of.

What are three words to describe Hero Arts?
Inspiration, Creativity, Teamwork

Is there anything about you that will help people know you better?
I have a huge soft spot in my heart for fluffy animals. I catch myself stopping in my tracks when I see a fluffy animal and I just want to run up to them and pet them. I have two family dogs, a rambunctious Labrador Border Collie mix named Sheba, and a feisty but timid Maltese Yorkie mix named Mila. The smaller dog dominates the larger dog of course. I also share a space with a tabby cat named Mewton, but it literally is like having another roommate, she even has her own rent that I have to pay. Her favorite things to do is finding the worst places to lounge; on top of a laptop that is in use, a freshly folded pile of laundry, or inside of a sock drawer. A funny thing about her is she manages to look like she is masterminding something terribly evil, but I promise you she is a very sweet cat.

I'm so fond of my pets that I try to sneak in designs of them into some of Hero Arts' products. There is a lab and a tabby cat in DC220 Fluffy Stockings Stamp & Cut, and you can spot a little tabby cat in CM151 Raining Cats and Dogs.

What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for you?
During elementary school Robin and I switched to a different school. Unfortunately we were placed in different classes and had separate recesses. I was so used to having my twin always at my side. I had a difficult time adjusting to the separation so I kept to myself and barely spoke to anyone, which made it difficult to make friends. Sadly I was bullied for being the shy kid that kept to himself. To avoid the bullies during recess, I found a far away spot in the playground where no kids played. At that spot there were these high pull-up bars, and I was able to climb up to the top. Some kids would try to reach me but it was too high for them to climb. Every recess I would go to that same spot to avoid the bullies. Then one day at recess I saw a new face, and she smiled up at me. She wondered why I was there all alone and asked if she could play with me. After that I no longer spent my recesses alone. She was the first kid to show me kindness and the first friend that I made at that school. She was my hero that day.

It is nice to spread a bit of kindness everyday - you never know, you might just be someone's hero one day.

Thank you, Raun, for telling us more about yourself. We are grateful that you share your talent with us.