I was a typical creative kid; always drawing, painting, cutting, gluing. My wise and wonderful mom made sure I always had supplies. Determined to make the most of my creativity she was always challenging me. If I wanted, say, a new bed for my doll she'd say, “Let's make one” and out would come our stash of boxes, toilet paper rolls, string, wooden spools, and the like. By high school I was making more than half my wardrobe, helping her upholster furniture and creating wall art. Thanks to her, that “make it yourself” attitude remains with me to this day.

Like my mother, I became a teacher. It's a very creative job and was a good fit. I really did love it. In '99 I took a leave of absence to care for my aging parents. While on leave I fell in love with rubber stamping, ACEOs and mixed-media art. It was during this time that I started experimenting with microbead collage. I've refined my technique over the years and now consider it one of my signature styles. I never tire of it. I say in my listings that it looks “like jewelry on paper” and it really does!

Eventually I went back to work teaching kindergarten. That was when I learned about the Urban Fairies of Ann Arbor, Michigan. I was smitten! A few of my students had Fairy Doors at home and told me the most imaginative stories about the antics of the fairies living with their families. I knew making Fairy Doors was in my future. Gradually, my interest in spending time following my bliss overwhelmed my desire to keep teaching and I took early retirement.

Rock In a Heart Place (named for my love of heart shaped rocks) was born from the desire to live a more creative life. I'm as busy now as I was when I taught school. I'm relishing my freedom to make whatever I want, when I want. I like my work! Its whimsical and fun and comes from the heart. I firmly believe in my tag line: it's “Art that just makes you feel good”. I'm very dedicated to my shop and have very high standards. My goal is to offer quality goods at affordable prices, along with excellent customer service. I truly appreciate my customers and consider many of them part of my Etsy family.

Mom would be proud.