So often I get engaged in a online conversation with one of my readers and feel an immediate connection. There is just something about the sincerity in the message that strikes a cord with my heart. So many messages I receive are often written by collectors I have never met, yet somehow we end up being friends even after they stop collecting.

I would like to share a wonderful experience I had and explain how this experience touched my heart and restored my hope for the collectibles market.

I received an e-mail from a reader who was enquiring about banner space on my ‘Advertise For Pennies A Day’ venture. Immediately I felt the sincerity in the message and was drawn into the text wanting to read more!

To make a long story short, I quickly unfolded a story, which in my opinion was not only touching and inspiring, I may have also discovered a very talented individual along the way!

I was engaged in a conversation with a man who referred to himself as Mr. Wendy. Obviously his wife’s name was Wendy and he was asking me to view some of her personal designs and offer my opinion. I was touched by his kind words of love and support for his wife. Something men very rarely share with individuals they have never met. As a matter of fact, they very rarely share their feelings with anyone including their wife. I guess this is the part of the story that touched me and inspired me to share it with you!

After viewing photos of Wendy’s designs I quickly realized she had talent. Her work showed creativity with a down home touch! I connected with the expressions on the faces of her designs and wanted to know more about the artist within. I wrote to Mr. Wendy, who by this time had disclosed his real name as Pete. I asked if I could write an article about Wendy and her designs to share with my readers. The rest is history!
Below you will find a brief history about Wendy written by her husband Pete. You will also find photos showcasing her designs. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Let me give you a little background on Wendy. She is a simple, humble woman who had, until recently, given up the opportunity to pursue a career to raise our three children. Ryan, now 25, Jessica now 21 and Cassidy who will turn 10 this year. Our first two children blossomed under their mother's loving guidance and are now on their own, busy with their own families and pursuing careers.

When Cassidy came along we were so excited at having another child that we actually gave her the middle name of Joy. We knew there was something very special about her even before she was born. She was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome which is a variant of Autism. We spent the first three years of her life not knowing what was wrong with her, the days and nights of screaming, and uncontrolled rages that were further complicated by the fact that she was non-verbal. It took the accidental diagnosis by a very astute nurse to bring some peace to our life and begin the road to helping Cassidy cope with life's challenges. Wendy spent endless hours on the Internet discovering the ways to deal with a difficult, demanding child.

With the help of many dedicated professionals I am happy to report that Cassidy is flourishing and is actually in the Gifted and Talented program at her school. I credit all of this to Wendy. I am sure others would have been just as dedicated but in our case Cassidy is gaining the advantage of having an incredible Mom.

So here we are many years later the kids either out of the house or in Cassidy's case, well on her way to her own life. Wendy has, over the years, made gifts for family & friends but never knew how to market her items on her own. Along came eBay and a few local craft shows and now we are having some success with her original, one of a kind creations that make so many smile. She studied fine art at the University of Montana and credits her late mother for her talent. I am sure you will see with the samples provided that Wendy has a unique perspective on life that comes alive in her creations. Each is made, not assembly-line fashion, but with love and care in each stitch or application of paint.

Cupid doll with rose. Cupid is made of tea-stained Osnaburg. His wings are made of scrapbooking paper that's been waxed. I made his rose of painted muslin and sewed it to a real rose stem (complete with thorns!). His face is all hand-embroidered.

Mrs Claus doll. She is made of walnut oil-stained linen. Her apron is from an old vintage Raggedy Ann doll and has rusty metal snowflakes sewn on. Her face is needle-sculpted and her eyes are hand painted. She is wearing a pair of antique baby shoes. The gingerbread men she's holding are made from very old material and smell like vanilla.

Uncle Sam doll. Made of muslin, he was inspired by the antique Thanksgiving post card he's holding. His jacket has vintage buttons on it. His face is needle sculpted and painted. He's holding a turkey that's made of color washed muslin with machine quilted wings and tail (same colors as the one in the post card which is from early 1900's).

Roses - These are made from strips of torn muslin sewn to real rose stems complete with thorns. I then color wash them and shape them to dry.

Mice on Antique scale. These mice have become my signature item, and I made these of stained cotton batting. Their tiny feet and ears are felt. The wedge of cheese is painted linen and I placed them on an antique scale.

Mice with lamp. These mice are made of cotton batting which was colored with gray chalk. They have tea stained strings for tails. I placed these guys in a lamp I made out of a rusty tin can that I placed several craft apples and an "antique" style electric candle. The doily over the side is old.

Lady Liberty. She is made from tea stained muslin. Her boots are painted on and I added several vintage buttons to them. She's holding a staff with rusty wire and stars. In her other hand she's holding a crow made of painted muslin. He's sporting an Uncle Sam hat and goatee. Her sash is made of stained cheesecloth.

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