My love for all things handcrafted began at a very young age. I often accompanied my mom to craft nights with her aunts and loved to watch them crochet or make beaded necklaces for several hours each week. I was so happy to sit with them, sneaking in a few arts and crafts projects while simultaneously completing my homework assignments. Latch hook was my favorite craft as a child (it was the 1980’s, after all), and as I grew older, I fell in love with counted cross-stitch. I stitched exclusively from kits or pre-existing designs for many years, as I was focused on learning, and perfecting, proper embroidery stitches and techniques. I began to tweak patterns gradually over time until I eventually felt comfortable creating my own. While I still love stitching patterns designed by others, I work exclusively with my own designs when making felt ornaments. Seeing each ornament come to life always feels like a wonderful accomplishment and brings me so much joy.
I work with very high-end technology at my day job (I’m a geophysicist), but I tend to gravitate more towards “old school” methods when it comes to the technology I use personally. I complete most of my design process by hand, with little more than a pencil and paper. Part of the reason I love to craft is that it provides an opportunity for me to literally “unplug” after a busy week. The process of creating has such a calming and relaxing effect on me, and it does wonders for my mental health and overall well-being.
Inspiration
I draw inspiration for ornament designs from many places. The biggest source of inspiration for me is my family. My maternal grandmother made hundreds of crafts throughout her lifetime, and the most popular items she created were beaded sequin ball ornaments. I have several of her pieces in my home, many of which I keep on display year-round, that serve as a major source of inspiration for me. I love the inherent beauty of the items, the meticulous quality of her work, and the fact that she shared her passion and talents with others by giving away most of what she made. She passed away several years before I was born, but I think of her often as I’m working. I wonder how she would feel if she were to see my designs, and I imagine how fun it would be to sit at the table with her and my mother, sipping tea, crafting, and chatting away. I’m pretty sure I inherited my love for sequins and sparkly things from her, and I hope she would be proud to know how much she inspires me each day to continue her legacy.
Many of my grandmother’s handicrafts were Christmas-related, and each year we sprinkled them throughout our home for the holidays. I love how we decorated with the same items year after year, as her creations formed the backdrop of so many of my most treasured holiday memories. Being surrounded by items handcrafted by both my mother and grandmother made such a lasting impression on me, and it is my sincere hope that ornaments I create will become part of future holiday memories for families who welcome my designs into their own homes.
Supporting Small & Local Businesses
I was born and raised in a small town in Connecticut, and my siblings and I saw first-hand the positive impact local businesses had on our community. Shop owners supported our school fundraisers and sporting events, served as employers for our after-school jobs, and actively served on numerous town-wide boards and foundations. I am inspired to support small and local businesses whenever possible as it’s one way for me to give back to my community and express my gratitude for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon me over the years.
In my day-to-day life, I prioritize purchasing from small or local businesses whenever possible, even if it means spending a little extra money. I believe the effect my purchase has on that business and my community as a whole is well worth the added expense. As I continue to develop my own small business, I am learning more about other small businesses who make products I can incorporate into my designs. For example, the sequins and felt I now use for my ornaments and pins are made in small shops in the USA. I hope to realize my dream of having a product line that is made solely with materials produced in small batches in small shops in the very near future.
Incorporating Swarovski Crystals
When I first envisioned creating bespoke felt ornaments, I knew I wanted to incorporate Swarovski Crystals into each design. I love Swarovski Crystals and have used them in a variety of craft and design projects over the years. They add an extra bit of sparkle that is difficult to achieve in other ways, and I love how the facets catch the light brilliantly.
Aside from adding a glamorous, modern element, I incorporate Swarovski Crystals into my designs for a personal reason. I love this quote by Daniel Swarovski and am inspired by the work the Swarovski Foundation is doing around the world to support culture and creativity, promote human empowerment, and preserve the environment.
“A precondition of your long-term success is that you endeavor to think not only of yourselves but also of your fellow human beings. Those who adhere to this condition will certainly be blessed with success.”
– Daniel Swarovski, Founder of Swarovski Crystals
Defining success, not by how much money we make, but by how much of a difference we make in the world, is a mindset that truly inspires me to be the best version of myself everyday. Incorporating Swarovski Crystals into my designs serves as an important reminder to think of others in need and aim to make a difference whenever and wherever I can.
Passion for Philanthropy
Being raised in a family that values giving back to our communities drives me to use my time and talents to improve the lives of others. Having the opportunity to donate profits from my product sales to causes and charities that I am passionate about inspires me to continue designing and creating each day. I endeavor to spread happiness and healing with each of my creations, and I love the notion that nothing we do is too small to make a difference in the world. Together, we have the ability to demonstrate that something as simple as a sequin can have such a powerful impact.
To honor Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, I designed and created a 2019 Limited Edition Pink Ribbon Sequin Pin, with 100% of the profits being donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to help them in their quest to #BeTheEnd. Breast cancer research is a cause that is near and dear to my heart, as many of my relatives and friends have been personally affected by this disease. The generosity of others was overwhelming, and I was honored and humbled to be able to make a significant donation to BCRF from the sale of the pins. In 2020, I donated 10% of all sales in my Etsy shop to BCRF during the month of October to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness month.
