Kimberly Hays joined the PeKu team in July of 2012 as a columnist.  The following year she added the second role of associate editor.  Kim currently oversees the editorial work for our Active Living, Entertainment, Home & Garden, Style, and Technology sections.  Additionally, she supplies weekly articles for a variety of topics, including DIY home projects, crafts for elementary aged children, holiday planning, gardening, and more.  Kim definitely brings a lot of creativity and inspiration to the pages of PeKu.

To learn more about Kim, continue reading!

MPK: You write three different columns that fall in the genre of DIY and crafting. Do you spend a regular amount of your free time working on these sort of projects? If so, what sort of projects do you like best?

KH: I do spend a lot of my free time on DIY projects. My home is decorated in a very eclectic style because I love making unique pieces. I enjoy going to thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets looking for something that can be refinished, or made into something entirely different than its intended purpose.

MPK: You also write about gardening frequently. Do you have a garden at home?

KH: My family always enjoyed gardening together when I was growing up, and I can’t imagine not having a flower and vegetable garden. In the past few years I have concentrated on organic gardening and enjoy sharing my experiences with our readers.

MPK: In your role as an editor, you edit on many of the publications.  Do you have one publication that is your favorite to edit?  If so, why?

KH: I really don’t have a favorite publication that I edit because I enjoy reading them all. The writers at PeKu always bring fresh, new information to each article they submit for publication, and I learn something new while editing on a daily basis.

MPK: What’s the most interesting fact you’ve learned or discovery that you’ve made while editing others’ work?

KH: One interesting discovery that I have made is how each writer has a very different writing voice that gives them a style all their own. I feel that I could read an article written by one of the writers that I edit and know who had written it. This has helped me be more aware of my own writing voice, which has helped me be more consistent in my own writing.

MPK: What fun fact would our readers be surprised to learn about you?

KH: In the past year I have learned to make stained glass art without taking any classes. I have a dear friend who is a stained glass artist that lives in another state, and she helped me learn by coaching me through emails and instant messaging. I also watched YouTube videos for demonstrations on the process. I surprised myself!