Support local artists

I am dedicating this entry to amazing people I have come to cherish. The owner of Eartha Naturals in Medford WI has been a great source of encouragement, compassion, friendship, and my mentor! Kate, has such a strong heart of supporting local artists and all in our community.
Her passion may seem to be in all things natural, but if you see beyond the store sign you will come to see her as a person who truly cares about the people in her life.
My knitting started with Kate. She is the mentor I speak of in other entries. I was becoming more and more involved with the medical professionals that consume my daily life. With that came the awakening of not being able to provide for my family emotionally or mentally. I used to say "someday". Someday I will try, or someday I might. Kate in a very compassionate way encouraged me to not say I will someday but to say I will take action. I can achieve. I am more than my illness.
With very simple bamboo needles and natural yarn I began to cast on. That first cast on has turned into my creative escape.
I am known mostly for my passion of renovating old homes. The feel of old glass, the smell of rubbing oils, the vision of well done room. It was and is my outlet. I walk into an old home and see potential. I imagine the lives that were there, the history of the neighborhood, the blooming shad trees that once were seedlings.
Kate gave me a new window to express myself. A window I will always cherish. Thank you Kate for all that you have given me! Support local artists and visit her fan page at www.facebook.com/EarthaNaturals

Along this journey I have also learned that you can not know what is around the corner unless you take the steps to get around the corner. After much thought I opened my Etsy shop! I hear Kates voice in my head whenever I doubt. I must keep trying and doing! I also see my good friends life. M. is very special to me. Our backgrounds have similar aspects and our lives have had several twist and turns that resemble each other. Either from moving or being adventurous. M. is my cheerleader. I see what amazing things she does each day and it gives me the courage to keep going. With those two people behind me I took another leap of faith and walked downstairs of Eartha Naturals to Sprouts baby and toddler Boutique! Yet again I was greeted with a warm smile and a sense of belonging. I met the shop owner, Heather and very nervously showed her my hats. The words that made me hold my breath and then allowed me to breathe were spoken! Sprouts is now offering my designs to the public! And then the global recognition happened today! My little flutterfly hat was put on her fan page! I was shocked, taken aback, I wanted to call my dad, I wanted to shout. So, I looked up at the ceiling and winked to my dad. I know if he was here with me I would have received the biggest bear hug ever! I applaud all artists who took those first steps and planted their seeds in their communities. To support Sprouts baby and toddler Boutique like her fan page at www.facebook.com/sprouts.baby.toddler.boutique

I would like to pass on this helpful hint: If you hear a voice saying you can, listen. Even if it is the faintest of voices. If you listen closely you will see that you have more support that you could ever dream of.

I am also proud to say that the Onesies of have been ordered and should be available by June 10, 2012! More info to come on the upcoming additions.