I've been making my own jewelry and hair accessories since I was a kid. I never liked to look like the other girls. I am still that way. I started making my modifying my clothing as a teenager by adding jewelry, beads, ruffles, etc. so that I would always stand out in a crowd (my high school had over 500 kids). When I was a senior, I started dabbling in making my own clothes. I had an excellent teacher-my mother. She could make anything and everything: curtains, blankets, dresses, pants-she truly made it all. Sometimes I would get jealous because I would try to copy her and wourldn't come close to her preciseness.

When I started Belly dancing, I would go to events where there were vendors and I found that I was not always happy with what I saw. And there were many occasions where I ordered costumes online and hated them. So I decided to start off small and make some hip belts and halter tops just to wear to class (dance practice wear can be very expensive).

In October 2009, I was preparing to teach a workshop and decided to wear one of my homemade practice sets. I was setting up the music for the session when I heard a voice say 'Oh My God-that is Gorgeous!' I turned around and said thank you. She asked where I got it from and I said I made it and another one just like it for a friend of mine and she basically called me a liar. I said no-I made it a week ago. She said 'Really can you make one for me-just like that?' I said I probably could make her one but I would modify it so that we didn't look like twins. She insisted and by the end of the workshop, I agreed to make her a belt and top. She was my first customer.

The feeback and overwhelming response from other dancers who saw my sets, really peaked my interest so I started inquiring if others would be interested in purchasing belly dance items that were custom made and original. It was a big leap but I took it and just held my breath.

It took me quite some time to make the even bigger leap to open my Etsy shop because I didn't think that I was ready and that I would be a really little fish in a giant pond but I got the encouragement of family (particularly that of 2 little 10 year old angels) who said that I should just go for it. I am glad I got that push.