I began sewing at a young age of 11 and had always busied myself by drawing and coloring before that. My hands were always doing something and to this day the aroma of a box of new crayons still brightens my day! I'm happiest when my hands are busy and I have something to show for my efforts. I've dabbled in many art forms but i always wind up in my chair behind a sewing machine (or two) and find it's where I am most creative.

I began making a line of cloth dolls when my daughter was born over 20 years ago. Under the name of “Mandi's Mom” many folks collected them over the years and attended the yearly shows I presented from my studio on Long Island, New York. Along with several other talented artists we were able to round out an uncommon selection of handcrafted items that became a very popular yearly event. The doll-making process is amazing as it evolves. Every cloth doll takes on a personality of its own...no matter how many times it is created. I also delight in creating children's clothing. Playing with fabric, mixing up patterns and colors, I'm thrilled to see the ordinary become extraordinary!

My dream of owning a show came “to fruition” after retiring from my job of many years where I taught creative sewing to very special individuals, both men and women, who never would have thought they could learn to sew. With the skills they carefully learned, they created the delightful items that brought them both joy and confidence.

My purpose at Fruition is to continue the feeling of accomplishment that I was able to bring forth during my career. I'd like to prove to individuals that indeed they can bring an item “to fruition” after only a few fun-filled hours of class instruction. There is a new world of creative opportunity available to everyone who has even the slightest desire to acquire skills to enable themselves to be able to say “I made it myself.”