I just wanted to own pretty things, made out of the best materials money could buy. Some say this is a classic Capricorn trait, others assumed I was shallow.

I just like nice things.

When my family couldn't afford my ostentatious tastes I got baby sitting jobs. I bought vintage clothing at rummage sales and altered it to fit my 14 year old frame. I realized that I could make nicer clothes than I could ever afford. You see, I was reading Vogue and Moda, so what I wanted you couldn't find at the mall anyway. My clothes would be authentic haute couture, one of a kind made by Alisson, for Alisson.

20 years later and hundreds of thousands of dollars in law school debt, I was laid off and on unemployment. I wanted to work, but it was a nightmare for 2 years trying to find a job.

During those couple years, I was desperate to keep my hands busy. I had to be clever. I started out making cowhide wallets and clutches. Then I made terrariums. These were just things I wanted to own, so I had made them for myself in the past. Now I thought- "I do get a lot of compliments when people see these pretty trinkets and beautiful bobbles... This may be a good hustle." So I started a website. And I started to sell a lot of pretty things.

I was surrounded by my professional friends and YUPPY colleagues, who were all having kids, all the time. In spite of being broke, my pride insisted that I needed to give good gifts at birthdays, baby showers, weddings. For babies I made quilts of my own design. For weddings, I'd make a set of custom garters (matching- one to throw and one to keep forever,) or I'd make jewelry for the bridal party.

Soon I was making dress-up/ fantasy costume toys to give as kid gifts and within a couple months I wasn't just giving them as gifts, I was selling them faster than I could make them. I realized that with each popular product I made, I could get a serious huslte going and make some cash. I sold to friends, their friends, their friends' relatives- everyone was buying whatever I made.

Then there was a break-through and this became a business. I truly have to thank etsy for the platform, advertising and support that has made my products a worldwide success.