
I began noticing cognitive changes in fall 2017 and it was taking me longer to finish everyday tasks and my head began tingling. I’ve always been hard on myself and this time was no exception. Instead of thinking something may be wrong I blamed myself and thought I was being lazy and questioned why I wasn’t able to create as quickly as other designers. I wish I’d approached this time with love but that was not the case. Lesson learned. In January 2018 everything blew up with stroke like symptoms in the ER. What I thought was a one-time event has changed my life drastically. Left sided weakness caused me to have to close my shop on several occasions because I didn’t have the strength or dexterity to create the pieces I was use to making. Metal melted and tears flowed. I had to learn that my worth is made up of more than how much I can create and sell.
I have opened my shop a few times over the past year and a half as I regained my strength. I began losing consciousness in April 2019 and required the use of a cane and occasionally a wheelchair starting in April. My self-reliant nature was being tested at every turn as my husband dressed me and my family made most of my meals. I have since regained a lot of strength, my memory feels normal again. I am receiving IV iron infusions and waiting to see if the Mayo clinic will see me. I do not want my life to be on hold anymore. I am so blessed to have supportive friends and family. I have met kind doctors who have gone out of their way to help me.

I am tired of waiting for my life to begin again. I need to let go of past expectations and start fully enjoying my life as much as I can even if it looks and feels differently than before. I accept the lessons and bring them forward into this new phase of my life. Join me on my journey as I reexamine what is important in life…with love. Everything in my shop is now on sale. I hope to start creating new pieces soon and custom pieces in the future. Thank you for your love & support for all these years. SHOP HERE
-Elizabeth