About Me, About the Blog

After taking time off from college and work for health and family reasons, I was too broke to return. I have about 30 hours left to complete a BS in biology, but have chronic illnesses that have caused me to stumble in getting there. I love science, a lot. I am a creative and artistic person, I love to imagine and craft new things and ideas. I think, in part, this is why I love science so much, but it is also why I love crafting and other artistic pursuits labeled as right brain activities.

Currently, I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I know I'm suppossed to finish school, and my dream has always been to be a scientist, but in the interim, I am selling my handmade creations. This serves the dual purpose of giving me a creative outlet that allows my brain to function, and (eventually, I hope) providing me with a bit of cash to pay for my cat to have surgery, and for me to return to school (along with things like paying bills and buying food).

This process has provided me with lots of ideas I want to share, so I started a personal blog while my mom was in the hospital a few months ago. It allows me to get out all of my inner thoughts, but I noticed I was also adding lots of craft related things, things I wanted to share with people who visit my shop. I decided my personal blog was a bit too personal. So, this is my attempt at a professional blog. It is not likely to be terribly professional, but it will be far less personal.

I hope to be able to provide tutorials and ideas for crafters, links to great handmade (and some not-so handmade) finds, shopping and gift guides, and information and support for anyone selling handmade wares. There will also be pictures of animals, mostly cats; I can't help it, it's who I am.

The name, A Richer Gift To Learn, comes from the song Simple Gifts. It is one of my all-time favorite songs, as I have loved it since I first heard it preformed by the "Pride of West Virginia" at football games when I was a little girl. The idea of simple gifts seemed right for this blog, as I hope to provide ideas for tangible gifts as well as giving support and sharing ideas. The line, "'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn," is not part of the original song, but was added at a later date. Not only do I love the line, but expounding on an inspiration is the essence of creativity.