I always find this page the most interesting, but for some reason it is the hardest for me to write.  What to include.

Although my original goal was to be a counsellor, it was during work on my Master's I discovered I would be sitting behind a desk all day listening to people talk and experiencing a 5% success rate.  After this blast of cold water, I changed gears and worked a variety of office jobs while exploring other areas of interest such as dance.  I actually auditioned with a partner for the old Dance Fever show, was a ballroom competitor who designed and created my own latin costumes, and was one of the top swing dancers in Seattle, choreographing our routines which my partner and I performed at various TGIF functions in local nightclubs.

My move to Canada came when I met my future husband.  Home with the kids, I began to sew dance costumes.  Working with up to 4 dance schools, I created and sewed over 200 costumes a year for 5 years.  They varied from basic jazz pants with metallic bras up to classical tutus.  As a self-taught seamstress with very little training, it was tremendously challenging, and I found after 5 years I could not take the stress of production.  My 16-year old daughter was just starting to freelance model, so I spent the next year helping her get established and then she was ready to fly on her own (although she stills pulls me in to style the odd shoot).  This is where I began to make connections in fashion industry and gained a huge respect for the talent we have here in Vancouver.

It was at this time that I saw a posting from Gestalt Magazine looking for writers.  2 articles I proposed were accepted for publication.  It was an exhilarating process jumping into deep water -  setting up interviews, organizing a team to produce the photos, handling the submission process, and arranging for a local store to bring in copies.  It was also deeply disappointing when I had to let everyone know the magazine folded with our issue at the printers.   I tried a brief stint working for a local designer, but really missed writing.

Casting around for that chance to build my writing credentials, I was fortunate to link up with Vancouver Fashion Ezine where I am a monthly contributor covering designers, student designers, stylists, illustrators, etc.  I have also been lucky to work with Raine Magazine and am always trying to expand to other publications.  While my writing has focussed on people in the fashion community, I would like to spread my wings to cover other interesting lives.  If you have someone you think would make a great article, let me know.  I can't promise publication, but can post the article on my website to give it a voice.