It all started with finding a way to market all the macrame plant hangers I'd made during 2009 while Mr Funky underwent a long medical treatment. (Actually, it started long before that; as a youngster in the 70s and learning basic macrame from my mother.) Then I stumbled on a talent to find great vintage items. I opened FunkyJunkyVintage in June of 2010 and had no idea that twelve years later I'd still be here, I LOVE it!

I've always loved art and crafting but due to those twists and turns life can take I never really had any formal art education. So I dabble and feed my art supply addiction. On the positive side, there isn't any lack of projects for my two grandkids when they visit. One time during Mr Funky's treatment my best friend came over with her young kids. I had missed a birthday or two of theirs and was feeling especially exhausted in spirit and body. Stuff was piled up everywhere. I pushed a Tupperware container full of beads over to one of the girls and said, "Here, make yourself a present." Thankfully that was a good laugh that we all needed!

These days it's more about finding balance between my Etsy business and Mr Funky's roofing business and all the other important things like time with family and friends. The quest for balance and peace of mind are priorities as we're reminded how life can take unexpected turns health wise, with business taking a nosedive in a precarious economy, rebuilding and forging ahead into the unknown, giving up dreams, making new ones, setting new goals, and pretty much just letting go and letting things unfold as they were meant to be. That's a really hard thing for me but I feel like it's something kind of shiny and new as I trudge through middle age, makes things a little lighter.

Lots to do, lots of things to clean, new things to make, photo, list, etc.