Please start by telling us a little about yourself and your studio.

My Studio is named LanternLaneCreations, named after the country road that I live on. I am 50 years old, and have owned horses and dogs 43 years now. I rescue both horses and border collies. I am fortunate to have my own property in the country, where I am able to work hard to rehab and re-home them. I have always made collars and fancy horse tack for my own animals, but when I really began to pick up the pace was when I began rescuing. All my dogs and horses get fancy collars and halters so that they feel special and loved! 

What role does your family play in your art?

While I do all the work myself, my family is very understanding about driving 30 miles out of our way because of a "great sale" or "rare find" when purchasing supplies for my items. My family understands the great passion I have for animals and have shared in that passion with me. Both my husband and my daughter have jumped in my vehicle and driven 300 miles or more to pull that dog that is scheduled to be put to sleep, or load that horse that someone felt wasn't worth its feed anymore. My family knows that is just part of me, that’s how God made me, and they share in my passion and support me.

Where do you live and what is it like?

I live in East Central Illinois, very rural, on a farm. I grew up in the city, while my parents boarded my first horse at a stable for me. But I always felt like a "fish out of water" in the city, and longed for the country life. I have a horse barn and riding arena, and my husband farms approximately 1200 acres. This is really a bonus as he is able to grow all my own hay and oats for my horses. It is nice to know exactly what I am feeding my horses, to know that no chemicals/insecticide, pesticides were applied to the oats or hay that they are eating.

Where did you learn your medium?

I really don't know how to answer that! My mother always marveled at the fact that I was self taught at sewing, crochet, needlepoint, cross stitch, etc. No one in the family had ever done any of these crafts, but from about age 7 I started experimenting with crochet hooks, knitting needles, and I saved all my allowances to buy my very first JC Penney sewing machine, which I still have! That machine is 34 years old now!

What are your goals with your ArtFire studio?

I opened an Artfire store for one very specific reason! To give others the opportunity to spoil their horses and dogs without going into the "poorhouse" doing it! I just love being able to change out my dogs collars for every holiday, but to purchase these items in a store is just outrageously expensive. I also want to be able to help animal rescues by donating a portion of my proceeds to them

How did you come to find a home on ArtFire?

Selling online was actually an idea given to me by my daughter, who is REALLY the artist in my family! She is the computer literate one in the family! My daughter has watched me from little on, bent over my sewing machine, creating a new and beautiful collar for one of my new rescues. Not much gets by her when it comes to computers, new search engines, what "hot" and what’s "not” online! She opened a store on Artfire, WhereTheRoadEnds, and sells her gorgeous Hand painted signs, and suggested that I do the same!

What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?

Do it because you enjoy it! If the money comes in...great! If it doesn't...so what. Do it because you LOVE it!

Why do you think that buying and selling handmade products benefits society?

 All the mass produced, cheap junk being sold out there....we have lost "quality". I love knowing that the items on Artfire were crafted by someone’s hands with such care.  I marvel at the absolutely beautiful items I see displayed on Artfire, and am amazed at the talent out there! A second bonus is that it keeps that television turned off more often than on! 

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