on a personal note…

Let me start by saying that none of this was planned……………….I was happily working at my part time job in an office, spending time with my young sons on my days off. I enjoyed the work/life balance tremendously – facilities officer by day, domestic goddess by night. I toiled away in my busy little nook late into the evenings, creating things for friends (and sometimes paying customers) and I truly loved doing it.

I was a happy little vegemite

with my darling husband of nearly 10 years, and my gorgeous boys growing into happy and healthy little cavemen – but I also knew that I wanted to take my love for all things crafty to another level.

I remember putting a few things out to the universe (as you do!!) that included:-

• I need more pink in my life (3 males in the house = testosterone overload!)
• In 2010 I’m going to work towards earning an income through my craft, and
• I want to spend my days doing something that I truly love

I made a last minute decision earlier this year to visit some old friends in Melbourne on a weekend away, and while there, one of them suggested we visit this little shop as it supported people like me who make things by hand

and then it happened…………….

it was like all of the planets had aligned at the same time…………..and i was exactly where the Universe needed me to be at that point. My first thought was “I want a cube of my own!” And my second…………”Brisbane could do with one of these awesome shops”
the next day I checked out the website and got in contact with isy about franchising – and well you know the rest!

Ever since that day I’ve been excited, overjoyed & elated with how this shop has gone. You know that feeling in your belly you get when something cool is happening!?!! – well i live with that ALL THE TIME!! The joy you feel when a new artist wants to rent a cube………….the pride you feel when they’re displaying the pieces on their first day, and the best feeling of all – making their first sale!!

Now don’t get me wrong – it’s been bloody hard work to get where i am. I had to get my head around being a small business owner – dealing with builders & banks, agents, accountants & landlords, setting up everything from scratch – all the while having that little voice in the back of my head saying “Is Brisbane ready for this!?!!”

But you know what – as soon I started talking to artists about the idea – I knew everything was going to be fine……………….people were crying out for support for emerging artists, and before you know it – I opened my doors with 30 artists showcasing some amazing pieces, and I couldn’t have been happier.

Now, nearly 4 months since I opened my doors…

I now have over 90 artists adorning the cubes, walls & racks of this gorgeous little shop – and I feel like doing a little dance with every sale i make for them!

I often asked myself why Isy chose me over other people who also wanted a Qld franchise. I can now say proudly that it’s because I am a passionate supporter of these artists, and proved it by crying throughout my thank you speech at my opening party!!

yes folks………………we all have a path that our lives are supposed to follow, and on Sunday 17th January 2010, my path lit up like a beautiful rainbow, and it’s been shining ever since!!