Getting a Little Personal
* This blog post was from my old website. It was written in 2024. I’m pulling over a few posts to get this new space rolling.
The story continues. In my last post, I talked about starting my blog in 2006.
I’ve been self-employed since 2011, but my journey began long before that. Prior to launching my own business, I worked as a doll maker for a company called Little Souls, where we crafted one-of-a-kind soft sculpture dolls that gained popularity in the ‘90s. Demi Moore owned some, we were featured on Oprah, and even Al Gore visited our studio during his presidential campaign. This experience was my foundation—where I learned the ins and outs of wholesale, showcased at the New York Gift Show, worked as a buyer, was introduced to the quilt market, and had my first taste of licensing through SURTEX.
But then disaster struck. In 2001, A fire consumed our entire building and a 5-acre business park, leaving me faced with the challenge of starting over. At the time, I was a doll maker, and I didn’t feel I had the skills to navigate the design world. So, in my thirties, while struggling with undiagnosed Lyme disease (which would go on to define my next decade), I decided to enroll in art school. I had no idea how much my health struggles would shape my life, but I pushed forward despite it all.
After college, I landed an internship at Lenox, which eventually led to a full-time position as a senior concept designer, marking a new chapter in my career.
Floral Fusion by Lenox
After my time at Lenox, I worked as a brand designer for Kathy Davis Studios, a greeting card company, until I made the difficult decision to leave and start my own business. The truth is, I was so sick and depleted that I simply couldn’t handle the demands of a full-time job with a commute any longer. I began freelancing, and within a year, I started creating my own art with the goal of licensing it.
It was a great time to start my licensing business. Surtex was still thriving, and the industry hadn’t yet reached the saturation point we see today. Back then, people were much more protective of their secrets, which meant there were fewer artists competing for opportunities. I was part of the first wave of artists who began sharing tips and supporting each other, just as Instagram was taking off. Everything felt new and exciting, and the possibilities felt endless.
One of my first licensing deals was with Moda Fabrics
One licensing deal led to another, and before I knew it, I was showing at my first SURTEX, connecting with agents, and building my business from there. Since then, we’ve been plugging away, and I’ve been fortunate enough to work with over a hundred manufacturers, with my art featured on countless products. My licensing programs have earned over a million dollars in royalties, and while licensing remains my primary source of income, I’ll admit that the industry is evolving rapidly, and things are starting to shift.
The changes in the industry have encouraged me to diversify my income streams. It's the artist's hustle—something I both love and hate. What I love most about this journey is the freedom it offers: being able to create art every day and get paid for doing what I love. That’s a true gift. But what brings me the most joy these days is my role as a teacher and mentor. Meeting so many of you through my classes has been such a blessing, and I’m excited to continue sharing what I’ve learned on this creative and healing journey.
An assortment of licensed products
After COVID, things have certainly been challenging, but life has also been magical in its own way. After many years of being alone, I met someone who has brought new joy into my life. My business is beginning to pivot, and fresh ideas are flowing in every day. And, most importantly, after over twenty years of chronic illness, I’ve started receiving messages from the universe guiding me toward healing. It’s been a profound journey, and there’s so much more to share.
