ARTIST'S THOUGHTS
The miniature house portraits on wood began as a Christmas gift…

In the fall of 2000 I had an idea for a Christmas gift for my sister-in-law. She lived in Michigan and always longed to live closer to family at Christmas time. I gathered photos of all the family homes, made patterns of each, and cut them out of wood. Next I painted a miniature house portrait on the front of each cutout, stained the raw wood and sealed it with an acrylic spray. All had snow on the roof and a Christmas wreath on the door. I called them, “I’ll be home for Christmas.”

Before mailing them off I showed them to my neighbor. She happened to be involved with a craft show and encouraged me to enter the houses as samples and to take orders.

To my amazement, people loved the houses. Each order seemed to generate at least one or two more. As the miniature houses traveled across the United States as Christmas presents, I started getting orders from other states.

I was thrilled and humbled that other people were responding to my work.

Thanks to all of you, family, friends and clients. Your encouragement has been a gift.


I had angels on the brain that morning….

During the fall of 2007, I awoke one morning with a strong desire to make angels. Sometimes it just happens that way. (I had secretly begun playing Christmas music – and it wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet.) I started thinking about the wings. Antique lace, I decided, would be just the thing. Only, I didn’t have any. Another thought came to me, “You have not because you ask not.” Right away, I thought of Marilyn and her gift & antique shop in Grove City, PA.

Marilyn was behind her counter when I came in. With a mix of apology and excitement, I explained my loosely formed idea. She had a little smile on her face as she turned around and picked up a large shoebox and placed it in front of me. It was filled with fragments from antique remnants of doilies, curtains, table clothes, pillowcases etc….

“How much do you want for it?” I inquired.

“You can just have it. The pieces are too small for me. I was thinking of throwing it away this week.”

And so began a journey, creating something new and hopeful from the fabric of the past.

Special thanks to Marilyn’s Antique and Gift Shop, Grove City PA, Janette’s Galleria, Harlansburg, PA, Lindy the Garage Sale Maven, all of my lovely friends for your input, honest critiques and support, John and Donna for the art room heater, and special thanks to my Honey for your willingness to carry a basket full of angels into work and all the many ways you support our family.