Growing up I had a hair dresser, top of the trends Mom who loved making clothes for my sister and I. A child of the 80's, I had lots of handmade stirrup pants, bubble skirts, oversized sweatshirts and kool-ots. They complimented my perm and malls bangs so perfectly! But, as I got older, I started to think it was so uncool to wear handmade clothes, so I was embarrassed to wear my Moms creations. How naive I was!

So, as a way to get me to appreciate all of her hard work, Mom helped me make my OWN pair of boxer type shorts. I'm pretty sure we both said some things we didn't mean during that project. It was brutal. Patterns, pins, grains, against the grain, grrrrrr!

I walked away from that experience more keenly aware than ever of my Moms creative talent. But also NEVER wanting to sew another thing in my life!

Fast forward to me, 10 years later, with two daughters under the age of 3. With the craziness of young children, I needed an outlet. My creative side was itching to come out. So with the help of my friend, I dusted off the ol' sewing machine. And made a purse. Then another. Then people started asking me if I'd make one for them. And that's how it started!

I had no idea that I retained ANYTHING Mom taught me that day. And when I lost her to cancer when I was only 19 years old, I never dreamed that one day I'd not only use what she taught me, but love it! I so wish she could be here to see me now <3

If there was one thing I learned as a child, watching my Mom work her craft both at work (hair) and home (sewing clothes), I realized that there is great value in handmade. And using your craft to make a living is something that most people only dream about, but I've experienced in different ways my entire life!

I started my Etsy shop in 2012 and this platform has helped me build Gathered & Sown into the business it is today. I've met some wonderful people through this shop, and I look forward to seeing where it takes me next!

I pull a lot of my inspiration from the people around me. The clothes and shoes my friends wear give me some great ideas! I love taking those ideas and translating them into my products . I enjoy designing character into my creations with the details. Pleats, ruffles, contrast/creative stitching, color blocking or even just finding new ways of manipulating the materials. That is essence of Gathered & Sown. Always changing, always growing, but always unique ;)

Every time I walk into my workshop, I drink a sip of my ever-present coffee (or in the afternoon, tea!) take it all in, and silently thank God for this gift He gave me. A gift He knew I had all along, and was all part of His plan for me. The gift of exercising the creativity He put in me....and getting paid to do it ☺️ I'm blessed and grateful!