I started my own business back in 1998.  I got the bug for painting ceramics after taking a few classes right out of high school with my sister-in-law.  The year was 1983.  Nineteen years old and thinking "I could do this forever".  I got married, had a few kids and got right back into taking classes when my kids were small.  Wanting to do more with it, I decided to try it on my own.  With the help of my husband, we set up shop in our spacious basement.  Logo, kiln, tables/chairs and then came the customers (along with countless hours taking extra classes and getting myself certified).  When I started I had 2 VERY busy nights of classes, then after a few years, the industry changed.  I wasn't able to get items as quickly or at all, and greenware was becoming a thing of the past.  I knew I had to change it up after my suppliers started to close.  Classes weren't so busy anymore.  I went from two very busy nights to maybe one not so busy night.   Somehow I have to change what I'm doing, yet still do it.

That's when I decided to take my business on the road as a Mobile shop.  I hosted parties for both kids and adults, traveling to houses all around the No. Shore.  That was fun too, but still felt I wanted to do more.  I was feeling, after many months traveling around that it was time again to change it up.

On the side, while still mobile, I painted a few dishes for friends as well as for local auctions and was getting great feedback.  I started thinking, "there's something to this "custom" dish thing".  That's when my custom dish business came to be, and I have enjoyed EVERY minute of it.  I LOVE working with people and designing, collaboratively, on a dish created just for them or their loved one.  A one of a kind keepsake to treasure forever.  I love what I do and can't see myself ever stopping it.  Then, not intending for it to happen, change came again.

I got an email from a friend who was looking for retail space to open a new boutique.  This interior designer friend has had a very successful business in the past, but as we all grow, change soon follows.  Instead of opening  just a design store to sell her own business, she got the idea to open a store to sell many businesses, one of which was mine.  So, come October 1, 2010 I will be selling some unique one of a kind designs at New England Fine Living,  opening in Middleton.
  
While the changes made in my past with my business weren't always what I wanted, but rather what was pretty much decided for me by the industry, this change to "spread my wings" and expand what I really love to do by selling my wares  in this quaint  store,  is a welcomed change.
 


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