Meet the team
East to West started with two friends, Tami & Larissa, both with a passion for design and a love for God. Originally, we lived directly two hours east to west from each other on U.S. Route 24, but now live only fifteen minutes apart in central Illinois. Ten years has brought a lot of change, including seven children and moving homes, but we still love using our God-given talents to design beautiful work and to build lasting relationships.
Tami began East to West with Larissa as a junior at Illinois State University, eventually graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree. Today, she is a stay-at-home wife to Michael and a mother to three sweet girls and a darling (outnumbered!) boy, while still working part-time designing and creating. She has a passion for her relationship with Jesus and loves to share it with others through East to West. All glory to God for the gifts He has given her!
Larissa grew up in Indiana alongside four sisters, being creative with them on the family farm. While she’s no longer building cat houses, setting up banks, or choreographing made-up music videos, she is still a creative at heart, loving anything to do with pencils and paint brushes and creating beautiful, practical products. Larissa graduated with a degree in graphic design while working with Tami to start up East to West.
Currently, Larissa is mom to 3 precious girls. She’s married to her favorite guy ever, Eli, who keeps her laughing and is her best friend. When she’s not designing for East to West or taking care of her family and home, Larissa enjoys a good cold brew coffee over morning devotions, snuggling puppies, and spending time outside.