When, at 16, (I won’t confess what year that was!), I was temporarily jobless and laid up from surgery. My pockets were empty and Christmas was fast approaching. So, I used my creativity and the craft supplies on hand to create small felt stocking ornaments as my gift to everyone that year. It was so popular that the tradition of giving my family and friends a handmade ornament at Christmas continues to this day.

How I Got Here

Many years later, the Girl Scout Troop I led used handmade Christmas Ornaments as a supplemental way to earn money for a trip. They also used the experience to learn how to operate a small manufacturing business to meet a requirement toward achieving their Gold Awards. My daughter (one of the Gold Awardees), who saw I enjoyed the craft show experience, suggested I continue what the troop started.

The final decision was made for me when I was forced to apply for disability. Knowing I could not sit around and be unproductive, or not do something creative with my time (it’s that workaholic in me), I agreed. Handmade By Dawn, later renamed Ornaments By Dawn, became a reality in 2007.

I now offer ornaments made using ancient Japanese art forms like Temari and Tsumami Kanzashi, ornaments made with jewelry quality beads, as well as cater to my cat loving customers with unique kitty ornaments. My goal is to create ornaments your family will cherish and pass down to your grandchildren.