I grew up, sitting next to my grandmother as she crafted, crocheted, did sewing and flower arrangements. I learned much of what I know from her. She ended up with RA and had to slow down and eventually quit her crafting because of the pain. She passed away, the summer that I graduated from high school. I went to college to become a teacher, so I could use my creativity to help children learn. I fell in love with a German man and moved to Germany as soon as I finished college. I started teaching at the International School of Hamburg. I was happy to have a creative outlet and I was very professionally fulfilled.

I discovered, after the birth of my son, that not only did I inherit my creativity from my grandmother, but I also inherited her RA. Luckily, now 30, 40 years later, the medications available make it possible for me to still be active and to still be able to craft!

After awhile, my marriage ended and I had to start over, more than once. I have now returned home to the US. I finally have a fulfilling, full-time teaching position with an amazing assistant. I have this and Etsy. I am so happy to be on Etsy, surrounded by such supportive, creative people. I feel like I have found my second family and come home.

I feel that I am exploding sometimes with creative ideas and I don't know what to do first. Some of the things I do, my son gets very excited about and wants to learn, too. I guess he has that creativity gene, as well. I have a very understanding fiance who vacuums up fuzzies and doesn't mind when I ( and the table and floor) are covered in feathers!

Besides always learning and growing myself, I love to collaborate and share what I learn. I am finding that making guides and manuals for the crafts that I know is almost as fulfilling as making the crafts themselves. Not only am I able to give someone a product that I made, but I can share the experience and fun of certain crafts with others.

Through it all, the ups and the downs, my grandmother and her love of crafting have been by my side, inspiring me and showing me the way.