After much deliberation on what to make my first post about.. I have decided to write about me, myself and I.... mmm a little selfish perhaps!?? People always seem quite intrigued when I attempt to explain to them all about my passions, hobbies...and what my life consists of today. "You do that TOO?" Hahaa, yes I do that too... So here it is in short form... from me, to you.
My teenage son. He fills my world with wonder and mystery, love and excitement. Never a dull day or conversation with him by my side. He has taught me to be patient, open minded and strong. At 14 years old he has the ability to see what he clearly wants in his future, and makes his daily decisions based on this. Incredibly blessed to have him in my life. I am also engaged to Captain Planet! Yes, haha... that's right. Save the moon, the earth and all the animals and species that live on it! Recycler extraordinaire! He comes with a gentle heart, an amazing body (did I write that!).. and a warm smile which makes me a very lucky lady ....*smile*. (and the emptiest garbage bins on the block. Re-duce Re-use Re-cycle please!!)
I started crafting and "collecting" things when I was very young. My space was an explosion of pens in every juicy color, paper in all it's textured forms.. and every brightly colored eraser I could get my little hands on. Perfection! ..It then carried on to lush designer fabrics, beads, ribbons, stamps .. and more paper! I loved "pretty things". I needed and wanted to own it all. A crafter by heart, I started to make jewelry for my friends and family.. as well as my own visual diaries with every scrap of paper that crossed my path as a teenager. Well known for ALWAYS having a camera in my pocket. I would take my fabrics and make simple wrap skirts that I wore in the summer... followed by bags, belts, pillows and even pin cushions! If I could sew it, it was going to be created! And if you happened to be around me throughout the years, I was taking your picture for my scrapbooks.
I started my own little online store after the local shops wanted to sell my items. I had bags and jewelry for sale in the downtown shops here in my city. They did quite well. They sold out most of the time... but the money I was getting from the split just didn't seem worth it. That's when I switched to Ebay.. and ended up with a much better profit. I was doing art now as well. Collages, paintings and ACEO cards. (all the rage back then). I was wrapping my fabrics over canvases and attaching vintage buttons and ribbons to the front to make my infamous "button gardens". They now hang along with my art, on walls all over the world. Something I am very proud of. Then I found Etsy. It had just started and was quite small, but I took a chance at it and loaded all my items in the storefront I created there. I did all my own graphics and even went on to design storefronts for many of my friends and customers. I was now selling handmade jewelry, altered art, fabric canvases, graphic designs and ta dahhh - premade scrapbooking pages. This went well! So well that I had to open another storefront on Etsy just for my jewelry. Which has now tripled in business to local and long distance sales for me.
During this time I also gave birth to my son, worked in real estate, became a certified fitness instructor, designed some clothing, became a paid photographer, met my soul mate and found my fur baby Lucy! But I never lost my creativity. It's in my blood.
Today, I probably own enough craft supplies to open a good sized store. I am always purging and filling boxes full of items for my friends along the way... "trying" to downsize. But, that will just never happen I don't think. I get weak in the knees when I walk in to a Micheals store or a Fabricland. The bead stores know me by name and love to see me coming. I have my fabrics, my papers, my stamps, my beads, my albums, my tools... all of it beautiful, modern and fabulous!
This is .......my creative path.
Ashley Anthony
