I MAKE STUFF. IT’S KIND OF MY THING.
I’ve always been happiest when I’m making something. Sometimes that means sitting at a computer designing graphics, sometimes it’s making cards or T-shirts, and sometimes it’s getting completely sidetracked by a new craft or an idea that I absolutely have to try. I don’t really need a reason to make something—I just like seeing an idea in my head turn into something I can actually hold, use, give away, or occasionally wonder what the hell I was thinking. 😏
T-SHIRTS WITH ATTITUDE
In 2023, I bought a used Cricut from my friend Kat and quickly discovered that making T-shirts was way more fun than it probably needed to be. I started designing shirts, then designed some more, and before long I had accumulated a ridiculous collection of ideas—and enough shirts in enough sizes to outfit a small army.
I used to sell them at craft markets in Canada, but since moving back to Oregon, I’ve traded the regular market booth for a much smaller space in a hands-off variety store. So the shirts are still here, the designs are still mine, and I’m still making new ones whenever an idea strikes.
What do you do when you have more t-shirt designs than anyone will ever need?
CARDS FOR PEOPLE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR
Once I had four—yes, FOUR—binders full of T-shirt designs, I started looking for other ways to use all those ideas. That’s when I started making cards. It turned out that a lot of my designs worked just as well on paper as they did on a shirt, and I really enjoyed being able to play with different papers, colors, textures and embellishments.
My cards are mostly sarcastic, sometimes a little risqué, always fun, and beautifully handmade. Some are sweet, some are snarky, and some are probably better sent to someone who already knows exactly what kind of person you are. I make each one myself, from the design to the finished card, so no two are quite the same.
Apparently, four binders of T-shirt ideas were just the beginning. 💜
SIMPLE, NATURAL & HOMEMADE
I like making things from scratch, whether it’s a batch of soap or salve, something good for dinner, or a few jars of food put away for later. I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with cooking, canning, freeze-drying, and experimenting with whatever happens to catch my interest. I missed having a garden this year but greenhouse plans are in the works.
I also have a kitchen full of gadgets that make all of this considerably easier—my Food Processor, Kitchen Aid stand mixer, Instant Pot pressure cooker, Harvest Right freeze dryer, and the big stovetop canner all get plenty of use. I’m not trying to become a homesteader; I just like making things myself, knowing what’s in them, and having a well-stocked pantry when I’m done. 🫙🌿
I MAKE VIDEOS, TOO
I’ve had my YouTube channel since 2011, although I didn’t really start using it seriously until 2019. It’s been a slow-growing project and mostly a hobby, but somewhere along the way it actually became monetized—which sounds much more impressive than the roughly $100 a year it currently makes me. 😂
These days, I’m not exactly winning any awards for consistency. The kittens have been getting most of the camera time lately, while the ongoing renovations are providing plenty of material for future videos. There’s a painting project coming up soon, and I’m sure the house, garden, Oregon Coast, and two little troublemakers will continue providing me with things to film. 🎥🐱
SO, WHAT AM I MAKING NEXT?
Honestly, I have no idea. And that’s half the fun. I’ve never been very good at sticking to just one creative outlet, so I’m perfectly happy bouncing from T-shirts to cards, from soap to salve, from cooking to canning, and from crafts to videos. If I get an idea that sounds like fun, I’ll probably give it a try.