I began thinking my shop would be about art prints more than anything else. As often happens in life, I got sidetracked by the whole process of making hand painted wood signs and I just love it. I also have a local retail space inside a large home decor center (The Blacklion Home Decor Center, Huntersville, NC) where I sell my own art plus some other merchandise and even some of my assistants hand made pottery. It used to be a much larger space, but this year I have cut it down to a small one as my Etsy business has grown.

Although I offer many designs, most customers come to me with their own ideas. "I love this sign but could it say this instead and could it be in two different colors?" is something I frequently hear. Surprisingly, I realized that the art of creating exactly what someone else wanted - instead of what I thought they would want - has become the most enjoyable part of my business!!

On my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thatsitforless) my followers find me always talking about how much I love my customers and sharing new sign ideas that came from them. Sometimes, it's celebrating the birth of a baby or a wedding or an end to cancer treatments. Sometimes, it's commemorating a painful moment like the loss of a child or loved one. Sometimes I am smiling while I paint, sometimes I am wiping away the tears but the one thing that everyone wants is to put their feelings out there on their own personal sign in their own personal way. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

Did I mention I love my customers?? Yes, I'm pretty sure I did....