I’m also a graphic designer, a painter, and a lover of all things crafty, handmade, and original. I may not have a college degree in Graphic Design, but I have multiple decades of experience. I have a proven track record of not only meeting, but also exceeding my clients’ expectations for their projects. I have a keen eye for detail and a natural gift when it comes to aesthetically pleasing layouts and creating eye-catching and appealing color palettes.
I have always loved color and patterns. I wanted to be a brand and logo designer before I even fully understood what branding was or what a successful logo design was made of. When I was younger, I loved looking through magazines at all of the advertisements.
In the mid-90s I was introduced to the internet and I was completely fascinated! I knew that I wanted to have my own personal website and I wanted to know how to design it myself. I read a lot of books and learned the basics and got to work. I purchased my very first domain name, blurred.org, in 1996. Back then you couldn’t just go online and register your chosen name. You had to fill out actual paperwork, pay a $35 registration fee (annually) and file the paperwork with Network Solutions – the only domain name registrar at the time. You also were limited to choosing from only three top-level domain extensions: .com, .net, or .org – crazy, right?!
After the registration of a few different domain names from there over the next few years I eventually became confident enough to start designing websites for other people, small businesses, and a few non-profit organizations. After becoming a mom in 2006 I put my website design side gig on hold for a bit. I did some print layout and design here and there and then in 2009 I was introduced to the world of professional photographers and press printed products.
I knew instantly I had found my new calling! I started designing professional Photoshop templates to help ease the workload of professional photographers worldwide. By utilizing my pre-designed templates, they could offer their clients a high end, professionally and custom designed product, that would literally only take them minutes to put together!
I spent a decade designing digital goodies for professional photographers and digital scrapbooking fans. I did a few other things along the way – photography backdrops and props, a few different businesses with various names – and all of it has led me to where I am today.
I once again have a creative studio space in an amazing artist-filled historic property. This space is my boutique storefront where shoppers and art lovers can see my original paintings, paper products and handmade jewelry. It’s also the space where I actively create almost every day. In addition to my creative side, I get to exercise my business side in my role as the Executive Director of a local non-profit organization, People with Pets Outreach Project. The organization’s mission is to provide care for pets while their pet parent is hospitalized. It is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart.
I am so grateful that I am still happily doing what I love – CREATING!
Publication Features
My design work and businesses have been featured numerous times in both print and digital publications over the years. I have been featured more than a dozen times in Professional Photographer Magazine for my professional template designs, digital pattern designs, and my photography backdrop designs.
Additional print publication features and uses of my design work include Shutterbug Magazine, Breakfast Club Photography Magazine, and Knit Edge Magazine. My pattern designs have also been used in a handful of published books.
