The short version of my story is that I had one plan for my life, but my “dream” changed as I evolved. With a Master’s Degree in English Literature, I was teaching college-level Composition, Literature, and Humanities courses for years. I love to read and write, and teaching was very rewarding. It was also demanding. As a way of relieving stress and anxiety, I picked up knitting.  I got good at it, and I began to make items for myself, friends, and family. Soon, friends of friends were asking for items. It got to the point where I didn’t have time to make enough to keep up with the demand. Also, I found myself wishing I was knitting (and crocheting, which I picked up a few years after the knitting), when I was grading papers. The yarn-crafting really relaxed me, and it felt like what I really wanted to do.

After I became a mother, I realized how important it is to prioritize your time. I love my boys more than anything else, and the precious-little time I have to myself when I am not caring for them, I want to do something I truly love. I know that I have a knack for design and color choice, as well as a meticulous attention to detail. I am also very driven. So, I decide to take all of those qualities and begin a craft business, and that is how SwanJay came about!

Right now, I work hard to design original patterns, peruse patterns of other designers I admire, keep up with fashion and housewares trends, select yarn, knit and crochet items, attend craft shows, and market my shop. I do all of this with the help of my amazing family and friends, especially my husband, Eric, my mom, Lora, and my sweet boys, Charlie and Lucas.