Growing up in Hockley, Texas, I was surrounded by creative and resourceful people. Making something with your own two hands was valued and appreciated, and something everyone did. My parents were always whipping up something, whether it was my dad welding some scrap metal into a big swing for our front yard oak tree or drawing an icing Snoopy on my birthday cake, or my mom canning pickles or sewing things for me and my sister - she even made our wedding gowns! I have a great aunt who painted in oils for many years (she insists she was “only a hobbyist,” but her work is full of artistry) and an aunt who’s a former florist and now does wondrous things with silk flowers, and both of my grandfathers were musicians (one played accordion and the other the fiddle). So I guess you could say creativity is in my blood!

I love painting, drawing, collage-making and sewing, and continually look for new ways to combine these techniques. I studied studio art at the University of Texas at Austin and graphic design at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. I have worked as a graphic designer and as a high school art teacher and enjoyed many aspects of both positions, but being the owner of a small, creative business is my dream job! The creation of The Snuggle Herd has allowed me to draw on all of my skills and interests, and to follow my artistic whims. I’m lovin’ every day of it and looking forward to seeing what will unfold.

It’s funny that I have found my niche with sewing; it’s definitely not the direction I thought I would take. My mom repeatedly offered to teach me to sew when I lived at home, but I never took her up on it. I ended up teaching myself through books, phone calls to Mom, and a sewing class when the bug finally bit me in my late twenties.

After living in Seattle, WA for eleven years, my husband Patrick and I have recently moved back to Austin, Texas. Seattle is stunning with its mountains, Puget Sound and evergreen trees, and it was a great adventure and a much-needed change for us at the time that we left Austin. One day we realized we were finally ready to come home, though. We are so glad to be back in this warm, beautiful, artistic, eclectic and friendly city. If you ever have the chance to visit, do it! Austin is truly one-of-a-kind! The people just can’t be beat, and there is wonderful live music EVERYWHERE!

Finally, a shout out to my kooky-genius husband, Patrick. This site would not exist without him. He’s a web developer and able to miraculously turn my design ideas from a layout sketch into a completed, fully-functional website. Patrick handles all of the technical stuff for the Herd, and this business would just not be the same without his help. If you’re into gardening, check out the lovely online community he has created at www.iheartgardening.com !