Follow the dream...............................

and what a dream it is to follow..................

Some of you will already have seen my Facebook post earlier this week where I made a massive announcement and I was overwhelmed and blown away by the response I received.

For many years I have also been involved in the craft industry and have been lucky enough to turn what was once a hobby into a part-time hobby, working alongside some of the best in the industry - WS Designs, Pinflair, Katy Sue Designs, Jayne Nestorenko to name just a few. It has allowed me to travel up and down the UK attending retail shows, shop demos and workshops as well as appearing on Shopping TV - the only downside was being limited with my time as I had to use my holiday from my day job. 

Yes, a lot of people will be surprised to hear that I have a normal job Monday to Friday

For all of my working life (26 years!) I have always worked in London and commuted to London, either from Peckham in South London where I grew up, or Tunbridge Wells in Kent where I have lived for the past 16 years. 14 of those years have been spent working at an amazing company in Mayfair where I have seen both the company and myself grow. When I first joined, it consisted of just 7 people, now there are in excess of 40 people. The people I work with on a day to day basis are like an extended family.

Over the past 5 years or so, I have also had the opportunity to work alongside Barbara Gray  and the great team at Claritystamp, from making samples, helping at retail shows, demoing at the open days and also on the annual retreats. With the recent launch of a fantastic new product range called Groovi, to say things at Clarity have gone crazy is an understatement. 

For several of these years, Barbara and Dave have been trying to persuade me to join the team on a full time basis and I have always said that it would be a dream job, but it was not to be. That was until recently when Dave had a health scare and I saw from firsthand experience how much pressure they and the whole Clarity team were under and how quickly things can change. So that was when the switch was flicked, you never know what is around the corner..........................

It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make in my life, giving up a job that I have enjoyed for the past 14 years, working with some of the most amazing people who are like family, but it is a decision I know is for the best. There will be lots of changes to to be made and adapt to, but all in a good way. When I finally leave and join Clarity, it will not be like starting a new job, it will be like becoming part of another family. 

So even though the decision has been made and I have handed in my notice, I still have to work through the 3 month notice period and still have existing crafting commitments to fulfill, it looks like 2016 is going to be a year to remember!

Over the next few months, I will continue to juggle my daily commute, my crafting and giving a helping hand to the Clarity team.

Crafting wise - In October I will be at my favourite craft store, Colemans Craft Warehouse in Rushden, a couple of TV shows and a few more appearances here and there!

So, once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you all for the love and support and all I can say is....................................

Watch this space!

Happy Crafting :-)