A favor for a friend turned into a full time job!
I've always been a lover of arts and crafts, since as far back as I can remember. As a child I loved to draw anything and everything, from drawing I moved on to latch hook and cross stitch. After I became a parent, scrapbooking and cake decorating were my creative outlets of choice (both of which I still do). When I lost my job due to the economy late in 2009, I started selling off part of my crafty stash for the extra money while I tried to figure out what to do with myself.
Meanwhile, a photographer friend asked me if I could make a "scrunchie with a face" for her to use on her camera. I'd never heard of anything like it, and an internet search didn't turn up a single product like what she wanted, but I figured I'd give it a shot. I made her a few "Lens Pets" and posted pictures online. After sharing with my friends on Facebook I heard over and over again that people actually wanted to buy my creations. And so MandeeFranee Designs was born. Shortly after I started making Lens Pets and sock monsters for sale, I was surprised to win a big contest.
In May of 2010 I was named "Most Creative Mom" by Michaels through a contest that was run on their Facebook page. A friend entered my name into the contest and I never DREAMED I'd win... but low and behold, I DID! :)
Now I spend most of my days sewing and every single one of my Lens Pets and sock monsters is an absolute labor of love. :)
