Hi!  i really appreciate your interest in Ivytree Designs.

a bit about who i am ... young enough to enjoy lots of life and old enough to have gained some wisdom (i hope!) :)

My interest in the arts and crafts has always been a huge part of my life, mostly because i grew up in a musical family and 'the Arts' were pretty much related. Crafts were a great creative outlet.  i began making  jewelry several years ago, my skills are ever increasing and i now do the designing, wire working, silver metal clay, a bit of polymer, and teeny bits of metalworking with more assurance in the finished product :) I am hoping to begin lampwork beadmaking and glass fusing this winter. Working with torches is a brand new accomplishment for me... i still shake in my boots and pray for help!  My newest art-love is pottery Good for the hands and the mind! :)) 

i have two lovely Shih Tzu - Gracie, whose lineage goes back to one of my champions years ago. She's a sassy, saucey, darling little girl. Her 'pet', Jasper, also a Shih Tzu, was brought into the household last year and he is a sweet, fun-loving lap-loving little boy.  They're both black and white, and almost the same age! They both enjoy chasing my calico cat, DeeDee, who escapes when she can, and taunts them from a countertop... but at night, they ALL settle down on the bed to wash each other's faces, cuddle, and snuggle on a warm blanket! ;))

i am happily involved with my church fellowship and do some volunteer work there.

my family is grown, but i do enjoy visiting and seeing my grandchildren, when they all have time...  I'm quite proud of them... they're wonderful people and parents and we're friends :)) All are out of state, so it takes some planning to get together! Thank Goodness for Email, voice mail, cell phones and text-messaging!!

a most important part of my life is my personal relationship/friendship with the Lord. He is my Life, my Love, and always my Hope and my Help.  i really enjoy spending time with Him, reading the Scriptures and talking to Him in prayer (which goes on all the time :)).

Well, now that i'm just getting warmed up, i'd best close, and get back to the studio!!

bye for now,  m