I learned to sew, initially, in my junior high home economics class, and I thought I was pretty good at it. But it just wasn't a hobby that I had the time or the equipment to persue once I left for college.

Fast forward several years and I found myself directing and then teaching high school theatre, including costuming. I had to re-learn everything from junior high! I bought some books, asked for help from my students, and jumped right back in! In a matter of weeks I went from "I'm scared to try again!" to "Let's get this done!"

In my sewing for school I found I loved the colorful fabrics and the textures, but couldn't often work them into the shows we were doing, so I would collect what I liked and then wonder what to do with it!

One day I was using my gramma's old machine just futzing around when I realized that I could make simple, yet fun and funky, bags. I cranked out a few and gave them as graduation gifts; they were a huge hit!

From there I experimented with patterns I found and my own designs until I found what worked and what didn't. Pockets are key! As is a washable fabric.

I started giving away more purses as gifts and then jumped into the regional craft-show circuit.

Then came the bottle cap magnets. I was having lunch with my mom and gramma when I saw some bottle cap magnets that said "Happy Halloween." I thought the were cute, and commented that I could probably make them myself. My gramma said, "Huh. No you couldn't." And that was it. My mom just shook her head knowing that it would only take a few days before I had it figured out.

I fiddled with the technique for several months before settling on the one I use now and started selling the magnets in the spring of 2012. They were a curiosity at first but then in July of 2012 they exploded! Now I can hardly keep up with the demand at the shows I do!