“The work will teach you how to do it."

- Ancient Chinese Proverb

Until the birth of my son, I'd never imagined myself artistic. I'd written in journals, danced in mirrors and sang throughout my childhood, but that was just to entertain myself. Watching, listening and reading with delight - whatever my untamable spirit created gave me my first wings. It was my way to escape from the moment into an infinite-like space, endless in possibilities, where time stood still. What should've prompted me into the arts, fell silently within as I tried unsuccessfully, like a square peg to fit into a circle. And time marched on.

But LIFE presents us with challenges that in essence are tough lessons waiting to be learned. On the other side of what seems like an upheaval of all that we know, a new understanding awaits. My son's birth was simply this magnificent catalyst & creative burst of light. My little stardust baby.

In 2003, I created 300 money clips for women, drenched in crystals, and started my first business in Scottsdale, AZ. A self proclaimed designer with no previous design background, I set out on a mission: food, diapers and a roof over our head. To that end, I created a way to help myself and women hold onto their money; both figuratively and literally. I had a new commercial pilot's rating that I set aside to go about the business of being a mother and I reconciled that designer supported that best.

I also reasoned that all original ideas start somewhere, so why shouldn't I have one? With a one year old on my hip and the determination to keep him at home with me, I approached one high-end boutique after another. "But women don't carry money clips," they each said at first, to which I'd reply, "you're right, they don't, but they will!" And they did.

Next I made belts with monogramed initials in crystals, sandals with crystals, t-shirts, card cases, compact mirrors; everything crystals. But I now considered myself an embellisher and that didn't sit well with me. Celebrities were carrying my money clips, but it felt disingenuous. I truly wanted to be a designer but I was heading in the wrong direction. Hollywood was not my goal. I was main street and everything in between, so again I set out to get my hands dirty and to make something real.

Leather held the answer and was a whole new love affair for me. I enjoyed the "handle" of leather and before I knew it belts and handbags made their way into my line. Simple things. Fast forward through years of parenting, the market crash, closing my first business, submerging myself in yoga teaching, add a shift in my desire to define myself by any one label and you'll find me currently making things by hand that I truly hope you'll love.

It's been said that if you spend 10,000 hours on anything, you'll know how to do it, well. So I guess, the work really does teach us.