Hi I’m Amy Joanne, an Art Designer and Candle Maker, specializing in creative melting tarts in pretty packages, we like to call them ‘Heart Warmers’, so smitten. I am your typical blue jeans jacket kinda girl….I love all things vintage, playing house and home stylin’, creating kitchen fun, and coordinating gift sets in ‘comfy blue jean’ cottage style…..I enjoy the Retail life, especially Merchandising and Marketing…..and will paint anything that doesn’t move!

Creating Art and Curating Our Home with All Things Creative…..with homespun charm, a little vintage and a touch of whimsy….is my style.

Had you told me 39+ years ago when I stepped out of high-school~I would be an Artist & Designer and had been published in 2 leading Painting Magazines, be a published book Artist and have 200,000+ hits on my Artful Blog,  I would have told you, you’re crazy, and I would have said ‘what is a blog?’, lol!

My first memory of enjoying ‘Art’ was receiving a gift when I was about 10 under the Christmas Tree, it was a box filled with constructions paper, glue and scissors, thank you Santa. I also have a memory of creating a ‘house’ made of folded paper and colored with crayons in our Elementary School Art class. As a young girl, I have always enjoyed watching my Grandfather, a Wallpaper/Painter by trade, stir his paint and prepare for work.  Then fast forward as a newlywed, I found myself curious while attending crafts shows at all the painted handmade items for the home.  I decided then that I had to know how to achieve this myself and my Artful Journey began.

I found a 6 week course in 1990 at a local college for “tole” painting (aka decorative painting) and loved every minute of it.  I continued over the years taking weekly classes and traveled to seminars to learn from the “Big Brushes”.  I frequented Steph’s Folk Art Studio in Lancaster PA whenever given the chance, I was like a kid in a candy store. 

Starting in the early 90’s I developed a love for Retail thru various ‘Shop Jobs’ ~ from small Mom & Pops to Fortune 500’s. From Hallmark, to Bath & Body Works to Dollar General ~ falling in love with Merchandising, Marketing and Advertising. I loved creating Shop displays, Gift Wrapping, and more.

 Today I am also a traveling Shop Keeper with a Home Base Studio and Shop, enjoying our popular Open House each December, inviting other local Artisians to join in! Our ‘Second Saturday’ is our favorite event! I love being community minded and local based….I have lived in the same small town all my life.

For our online friends I hope to continue to grow our Creative Blogging for you to enjoy, meant to inspire! Sharing our story thru recipes, our garden, our art, home projects and more………. thru our ‘My Cottage Life’ Blog.

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Have you seen our popular Keepsake Journals? Be sure to check them out! Storybooks are coming soon!

Did you know that our ‘Artful Characters’ are each based on my family members faces? ….building character I like to call it.

Did you know our Candle Labels are created from our Art and Photography?

Did you know we have an on-going project called ‘Door Knob Gifts’?

Did you know our Candle Shop is created with painted vintage childs cabinets, hutches and ol’ doors?

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You can find me in my home studio every moment I can grab ~ creating candles, designing, painting, penciling, working on home projects, cooking, organizing…and dreaming.

I live a very blessed life with my husband Jerry of 37 years and have a supportive family with my Mom, 2 sisters, a brother and my niece Abby, sweet memories of our Dad….and enjoy the friendship of 2 besties from first grade, hello 1974!

I hope your Artful Journey leads you to your dreams as my journey has…..You are so welcome here to warm your home and melt your heart.

Creatively Yours, Amy ♥♥♥♥♥