Hello,
My name is Dawn Affinito. Back in 2003, I became disabled and lost a 27 year teaching career that I'd been truly passionate about.?It took many years for my treatment team to figure out what would work to help me regain some sense of normalcy to my life. I worked very hard with them to find what combinations of medications, lifestyle changes, etc. would work. But then I began to ask myself, “Is this all there is to my life now? Just working at staying stable and as well as I could?” It was then that I met a woman who I saw weekly. She had these cute little pens with home made flowers on the top of them. As I continually complimented her, she insisted I come to her home where she could teach me how to make them. I laughed - telling her if it wasn't a preschool bulletin board, it was way beyond my ability. But I went to her house anyway. She rushed me into her kitchen and then her dining room, and before I knew it, I was making flowers, greeting cards, note pads, and more! I was instantly hooked! Since then, I've expanded my knowledge to include all kinds of paper craft, holiday items, and even refinished furniture! My work is not a business. It is clearly for therapeutic purposes only. My prices are based on cost (materials and a little added for labor). Whatever I make, I use to help replenish my supplies, so that I can keep up this oh-so-valuable hobby, that has helped me find a new purpose on life, and bring joy to other people's lives. When I'm feeling well, I work often, so that when I have a relapse/episode, I can just focus on getting better. Here are just a few examples of the things I make (but keep in mind that much of my work come from custom requests): Greeting Cards, Floral Wreaths, Bouquets in Vases, Adorable Thematic Baby Mobiles, Holiday Cards, Gift Tags, and Decorations of All Kinds, Paper Buildings (such as a lighthouse and lighthouse keeper's quarters, Winter Village, Nativity Scene, Ceterpieces of All Kinds, Invitations, Thank You Notes, Refinished Furniture (I specialize in using a mixture of chalk paint, tinted varnish, and clear polyurethane for an antique or shabby chique look, or for a contemporary look).
