I flunked Art in High School.

Oh yes I did! I'll show you my report card. Now, I realize that I'm not a traditional artist - I was just waiting for something to inspire me. One day I found a fabulous leather dog collar that I was more than happy to pay $$ for and my dream started germinating. I've been a wee bit obsessed with recycling for many years and when I held that collar in my hands I knew that I could make it's equal (or better!) out of recycled materials.

It took me years to get going and actually start making them. I was nearing 40, newly married, just had a baby boy and still yearning to "be artistic". I had worked as a corporate graphic designer for a decade before and still felt like I had more to give.

One pre-holiday season I asked my neighbors if I could borrow their workbench in their basement (our house is teeny-tiny), bought a bunch of belts, buckles & snaps, and set off to make all my Christmas presents that year. Everyone loved them! They went over so well that I thought, maybe, I was on to something.

And so here I am. SO happy to be here. Here's to you Mr 11th grade art teacher - Cheers! ;)