I am an ex-pat from Great Britain who moved to the U.S. in 1991. I currently live in California. I have worked in a number of different industries from Public Relations to Technology to an independent film production company. However, I finally found my true calling a number of years ago and returned to school to complete my degree in Special Education and obtain a teaching credential. I have been working as a Special Education teacher for 10 years and absolutely love it!! As with all jobs, challenges are evident almost on a daily basis, but I guess that’s what I love – a challenge.

I had never really considered myself artistic, so you may wonder how my card business came to be? I blame a fellow teacher for getting me “hooked” on cards. A number of years ago she told me about a card-making workshop that she hosts and asked if I would be interested in attending. I had never done anything like that before, so I thought to myself, sure, sounds like fun. I was well and truly addicted after that first session and have been attending card-making workshops every month since. My colleague doesn’t host anymore, but I found another “card dealer” in my area who I visit every month for a fix!

I began purchasing stamps, inks, papers and other sundries to begin making cards for my friends and family. I even remodeled my home office to accommodate a better workspace area and storage for all my purchases!! I eventually opened an online store in May 2012 on another venue and have recently moved to Etsy (March 2015).

When I’m creating cards I feel relaxed and at peace – it’s my therapy without the weekly cost of a therapist! Sitting in my office/studio, playing a variety of music, and cutting, stamping, sponging and playing with card stock and designer paper, is the best way I could spend my free time!

All my cards are hand stamped, by myself, mostly with products from a company called Stampin’ Up!. I use an array of punches, framelit dies, ribbons, designer patterned papers, coloring pens, watercolor tools and a variety of embellishments. While my own personal style of card is considered “Clean and Simple,” I understand that there is a whole wide world out there that enjoy other styles of cards. Inspiration comes from stamp sets I purchase, in-color trends, magazines, designer patterned paper and also from card making workshops I attend.

Starting this business has been an amazing experience. With a lot of hard work and many hours navigating my way around the ins and outs of internet marketing, my business has been steadily growing in the almost 3 years I’ve been open and I am now seeing many repeat customers. I have also taken the plunge and have participated in a number of craft shows.

I have been fortunate to have received many custom orders - from an ongoing annual 230 Christmas/Hanukkah card order, to a custom wedding shower order and on many occasions a simple custom card to be perfected for that special someone. It thrills me to no end, knowing that others value my work, enjoy my creations and want to continue supporting a dying tradition of sending real cards by “snail mail.”