A Tacky Lady: The Boss Behind the Brand
Who is Aleene Jackson?
Aleene Jackson (that’s uh-LEAN— don’t get it twisted!) was born in Hollywood, California, in 1924. From day one, she was unstoppable. She chased big dreams, broke the rules, and never took “no” for an answer.
School never captured her interest. She preferred riding horses to sitting in a classroom. Eventually, she skipped one too many classes and was expelled, but that didn’t stop her. She later graduated high school, but it was on her own terms.
While planning her wedding, Aleene had an idea that would change everything. Inspired by her bouquet, she bought a florist shop in Arcadia in 1944. However, she didn't just focus on arranging flowers. Aleene sold floral supplies, taught classes from her home, and built a crafting community before the term 'DIY' existed. The demand for her expertise exploded, and soon, she taught all over Los Angeles.
“I was either just plain stupid, or I had so much nerve (sometimes I’m not sure which) that I just went ahead and did things. And I learned by my mistakes.” (Aleene: A Tacky Lady, 1997)
Setbacks? Aleene didn’t just overcome them. She turned them into opportunities. When fresh flowers were scarce during World War II, she got creative, crafting “flowers” out of fabric, paper, and anything she could get her hands on. But there was one thing she couldn't overcome... the quality of the glue. Nothing on the market met her standards, so she created her own.
After many rounds of formulation, Aleene created a super thick, tacky formula that held materials in place without slipping or pulling apart. She initially called the glue "Glue d'Aleene."
Aleene incorporated her newest creation into her lesson plans, and as her students used the product, they not only loved it but affectionately referred to it as Aleene's Tacky. Aleene thought that Aleene's Tacky Glue had a better ring to it, and history was made.
Armed with a passion for crafts and her new Tacky Glue in a gold bottle, Aleene was ready for the spotlight. National TV shows reached out to her, including renowned hosts like Art Linkletter, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Gypsy Rose Lee, Betty White, Regis Philbin, Dinah Shore, and many more. Aleene quickly became a crafting superstar and a highly sought-after guest, sharing her expertise and showcasing her signature glue.
As her recognition grew, she saw an opportunity to take crafting beyond the television. She launched the Craftmakers Caravan, a coast-to-coast creative movement that brought together thousands of people eager to learn, create, and get their hands on Aleene’s Tacky Glue and other crafting kits and supplies. At each stop, crafters lined up to see her in action, take home her signature glue, and join the movement she had initiated.
What began as a grassroots effort quickly transformed into a thriving business. Demand surged, prompting Aleene to expand her business from a single floral shop into a growing crafting empire. Her name became synonymous with creativity, allowing her company to prosper.
As her influence grew, and the crafting industry was taking shape, the world took notice. LIFE Magazine ranked her business as one of the 50 fastest-growing in the country— a monumental achievement, especially for a woman-led business in the 1950s.
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In the next chapter, we’ll explore Aleene's lasting influence through Creative Living, her #1 daytime cable TV show that aired for over 15 years, inspired a generation of crafters, and cemented her legacy as a household name.
