At some points in my life, it's been easy to find myself short on money and long on time. After my family's gas station closed and I was only marginally successful in running my own tobacco shop, I closed up the store and tried to figure out what I wanted to do next.

I've always taken photographs and made ceramics and jewelry for people on my holiday gift giving list. Since I was now out of work, I decided that learning to make my own lip balm would be another great way to give something handmade without spending too much.

My lack of self control made my lip balm project into more than I intended. I learned to make all sorts of natural beauty products, scented candles, soap and even kiln fired glass objects. The one thing I heard as often as "thank you" that holiday season was "you should sell this".

So here I am. Things have changed over the years, but this shop has always been a way for me to stay engaged in the creative process. It reminds me that I love making art and gives me a good reason to keep doing it even when other things seem more important.