Artist, Designer, Online Educator, Creative Biz Builder ~

You’ve may have heard the phrase before – “I’m a military brat!” Yep, I’m an Air Force kid! And, what a fun and inspiring upbringing that was!  We lived all over the U.S., and spent time overseas. As a child, I lived in Germany, and got to see Holland, Spain, and many other parts of Europe. It was an exciting childhood introduction to cultures, food, and fun!

We returned to the U.S. and continued to travel until my dad retired. I guess that’s what inspired my love of exploration, discovery, and diversity.

I’ve always loved fabric. I learned to sew early and began making my own clothes in 6th grade. All through high school, I’d rush through my homework so I could sit down and draw…. paper doll clothes, wedding gowns, even wardrobes for Barbie! I eventually went to art school and became a clothing designer.

That industry offered more opportunities to travel, and I spent a lot of time in Asia. That was another wonderful experience in textures and color. However, after a 25+ year career advancing through the garment trade, watching it grow enormously and then shrink to outsourcing, I suddenly found myself downsized out. I tried a second career in the veterinary world, but after several years discovered I really missed the creative aspect of fabrics and fibers. I had abandoned my creative self, the very core of who I was, and felt lost.

Reinvention became necessary. My mother was a self-taught artist for most of her life. She finally decided to go to school and get her art degrees in her 60s. That was a valuable lesson for me….invest in yourself and stay true to who you are!

I know the pain of losing sight of creative passion! I also know the joy of rediscovering and reinventing it! Reigniting my creative spark at 59 was a journey but I quickly found that my fondness of color and texture never went away! But I had to ask, “What do I do with it NOW”? I went back to my fabric stash. I pulled out the dress forms. I revisited collage and mixed media art. I learned how to design fabric prints. I discovered how to run an online business. Now, it’s a thrill to get out of bed in the morning to see what I can create!

As part of this amazing journey, I felt a need to share, and created an online business built around helping others expand their creativity. I’m honored to share my art, my knowledge and my skills with you. I’ll help you discover your creative passion, show you how to design and make beautiful patterns for your own clothing designs, and even help you figure out how to start your own small business. Now, I’m the one in charge of my “happy,” and I couldn’t be happier! I’m so glad you’re here!