I started my Etsy shop in 2009 as an extension of my studio which is open to the public on weekends. I'm a resident artist at Williams Mill Visual Arts Centre in Glen Williams, Ontario (www.williamsmill.com). It's a tiny village outside of Toronto that often attracts people from all over the world. After receiving regular inquiries from guests wishing to shop online, I decided I should get with the times!

The first year on Etsy was the toughest. I think I was a little culture shocked actually. It took me a little time to learn the ropes...and the lingo! LOL :)

When I joined the BNS Second Chance team on Etsy, everything turned around. I'm now an active member of several teams on Etsy and we support each other in our journeys every day. I have to thank Etsy as well, for providing an affordable, easy to navigate system that is quite user friendly. Etsy also provides loads and loads of marketing advice and resources to help people like me to become successful.

I'm proud to say that I finally quit my office day job in spring 2010 and never looked back. Not even once. Seriously.

I'm still working hard to build my business now that I have the time. My work is also growing and evolving more than ever.

I'm grateful every single day to have the opportunity to do what I love. I owe huge thanks to my wonderful customers who have been an absolute delight to work with and who challenge me to bring my work to new heights.

In spring 2011 I had a horrific bicycle accident which I'm still recovering from. For a long while I was worried that my shoulder injury would cause me to lose my studio and the career of my dreams. I wondered if I would ever be able to create anything again, or play the piano. Fortunately I was surrounded by family, friends, artists and medical professionals who wouldn't let that happen. Finally, as of May 2012 I'm able to participate in almost all things creative that I used to do before. I've still got lots of physio therapy ahead, but I'll be OK.

Sometimes my husband sees that I'm working on a rush project or a creative challenge and chuckles and says "Why are you doing this? It's not possible!". I just smile and tell him "I'm not in the business of saying no. It's about saying yes!" Well I'm here to tell you that what we dream IS possible. I'm OK with putting in the extra work to make someone's dream happen.

So thank you! All of you, for making my dreams happen. I hope that I too can share this dream with you, one piece at a time. xo