Our shop began years ago when my daughter was still in high school. We both were disappointed in the jewelry selections at the local stores and at that time choices for handmade just didn't exist. We learned to make our own jewelry through tutorials, trial and error and some handy pointers from shop owners and fellow crafters. We both had friends and co-workers asking for us to make them things, which lead to us selling from a single table at small local shows to attending dozens of art and craft shows around the area over the next several years. Etsy was a suggestion from one of our booth neighbors at a show in 2006. We looked at the site and knew it was for us! As the years have gone by we still collaborate on ideas and designs, and although now we do it long distance, it still works!
Crafting of all kinds was major part of my upbringing. My sisters and I learned to sew from our mom and grandmother (her mother was a seamstress). We started making our doll clothes which transitioned into making our clothes as adults (even our wedding dresses). We also embroidered and crocheted and I loved to draw and color; even making my own paper dolls and their paper clothing. As a young child my mom used to draw characters for me to color; I loved that so much! My dad had a huge cache of wing nuts, bolts, screws and really cool parts and pieces. He and I would make "sculptures" with them and paint them crazy colors; I had a bunch of them decorating my room! When I was very little I loved hanging out in the hardware store that he worked at in Ohio. Even then, I loved playing with the shiny chains!
My passion for photography was born as a young teen after my paternal grandfather gave me a camera for my birthday. At 17 I learned that my maternal grandfather was a photographer and had a love for all things new in technology; he had everything! I knew then that I would always document life from behind the lens. I'm very grateful for the diverse art and crafting experiences that I've had over my lifetime. Looking forward, I can't wait to see what's in store next!