A native of Dallas,Raymond has been drawing and painting since 4 years old and is thrilled to be able to turn that love and talent into handpainted needlepoint designs today. A degree in all level art education, he taught art in public education for 2 years and after feeling the need for something different, pursued retail visual merchandising management.
Employed with Federated Dept Stores Sanger Harris in Dallas, Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Chicago, Northbrook, Il and Barneys New York-Chicago. Special event design and production for Ivan Carlson Associates, Chicago.
After many years in retail and event production in Dallas and 19 years in Chicago, he used his experience in retail, marketing, advertising combined with his artistic talents, to found Raymond Crawford Designs in 1996.
Now based in Dallas, Raymond along with his partner, Dan are living in the home that Raymond’s parent’s built in 1956. Since moving back to Dallas, Raymond has become a high profile leader in local Dallas politics, social activism and causes. Recently, Raymond has been a volunteer with his local elementary school assisting with the fourth grade ELL class of great kids.
Formerly the President of his neighborhood association, he was focused with the goal of encouraging neighborhood stability and increasing his neighborhood’s quality of life for all residents.
Recently, Raymond has created The Broadway Collection of ornaments highlighting the many Broadway musicals that many have enjoyed over the years. Raymond has been donating proceeds from those purchases to The Actors Fund and to BroadwayCares Actors Equity to Fight AIDS and encourages everyone to do the same.