"....My how things change! What kid ever thought that playing dress up, making mud pies, painting rocks....or making fish out of ribbon as laying the ground work to what would some day lead to a full time career. I didn't!
......although if I had, I'm sure that I would have informed my parents of that fact ~ perhaps it would have made them a little more forgiving of the muddy footprints leading to the wash room!
Looking back at all my 'trial and error' experiences while working and playing around with a variety of materials, mediums and surfaces; you begin to realize that they are what has brought me to the point I am today in my career as a designer working in the Creative Industries.
As I tell students in my classes, "If there was a mistake to be made with a medium, I've been there, done that; and likely more than once!" Unfortunate as that may sound, it's those types of experiences that have become resources; evolving into some of my best work. When you have time, money and a deadline involved, you get resourceful, add a touch of creativity....and learn to "fix" those goofs!
What I like best about what I do today is the opportunity to share tips, techniques and my enthusiasm for crafting with others. It's my firm belief that creative ability lies within everyone. There is nothing more rewarding than to see the expression on one of my students faces when they discover '"they CAN do it!'"
For the most part self taught, Galvin credits her parents, a supportive husband, and her rural Indiana roots as the sources of her creative abilities.
"As a child we lived in the only house on an old dirt road in central Indiana. With no neighborhood kids to play with, (...unless of course you count your sisters and the various animals in the barnyard....), you become pretty proficient at entertaining yourself. For me that meant decorating rocks, reading, writing, daydreaming and (of course) digging through my mothers "creative closet" to dabble at oil painting, ceramics, or making quilts and doll clothes from her pile of scrap fabrics."
BEGINNING the JOURNEY
As a stay at home mom in the early 1980's Galvin supplimented her growing family's income by making and selling a variety of arts and crafts items at local craft fairs. During this time basket collecting was "hot" in the Midwest. Recognizing that embellishing the baskets was becoming trendy, she headed to her stash of fabric scraps and acrylic paints to create unique accessories. "Little did I know at the time, but, one of those accessories would be the catalyst that brought me to where I am today" states Galvin.
Sometime around 1992 Galvin designed a line of pose-able miniature soft scuplture dolls that she would later call, "The Taglin's Collection". Designed with the Holiday's in mind, each year she would come out with new designs for Santa and Mrs. Claus, Snowmen, Elves and other adorable characters. The Taglin's(TM) where designed to be easily positioned and to grasp basket handles, stair rungs, Christmas tree branches or to just sit on the shelf. They where a hit! "Before long I found myself making them by the hundreds and could not keep up with the demand! It was exciting, but, a bit daunting at the same time. Production work for any small enterprise is always a challenge. I knew that something had to change."
EXPANDING - Creativity Grows in Small Increments
............more to come!
SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION -
Come back to visit again and learn how Lisa went from doing local craft shows to creating projects and kit designs that are sold and distributed internationally!
