Author Bio

Born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1952, I am the second of five daughters. My family moved to Ohio in 1955 where I grew up and I am blessed with two successful daughters that work in the medical and computer industries. One of my greatest joys is spending time with my beautiful, teen grandaughter who has planned to become a millionaire, a famous singer, a fashion designer, and a surgeon --- in that order --- and she has expected to do it all "now” since she was about 8 years old. I know that whatever she ends up doing, it will be wonderful and she will be very good at it. Why? Because her mind is wide-open to both possibilities and opportunity and she knows she can do anything she desires.

As for me, I can’t recall a time when I didn’t have a passion for the arts, both visual and performing. I found solace in three things --- nature, art and music --- which explains my attraction to botanical pieces, natural cosmetics, and a variety of genres of music. It never really mattered to me what type of artistic talent was required or the media used, but rather, I believe I was in love with the creative process. At a young age I painted, sang, and danced. I carved, sculpted, drew and etched. If I was sewing, I always felt the need to “create” my own patterns. When I took a pottery class, I couldn’t simply build a box or make a pot, I had to carve a design into the clay. When I designed gifts for my gift basket business, I felt the need to create unique, personalized gifts and when I decided to do glass etching, I would design and burn my own stencils first. There was never a time when I could settle for a craft ... I felt a desire to turn it into a work of art. This is why I have decided to create this website ... to support The Arts, Mastercrafts, and Hobby Crafts. They all contribute to our sense of creativity and uniqueness and flow from our own specific passions.

That being said, I surprisingly worked for the Department of Labor during the 1970’s as an Employment Interviewer for employment and training programs serving the developmentally disabled. I was also employed as a Divisional Purchasing Agent for over 16 years with a large can manufacturer. And while employed, I operated a home-based gift basket business called “Baskets of Dreams™” from 1989 through 2002. In 1994, I was given an opportunity to move out of state with my company which had been sold. I opted not to make that move and became involved in my own business as a Cost Control and Special Projects Consultant. My business remains semi-active while I hold a full-time position with a local university.

Personally, I find it both useful and balanced to become both “right brained” and “left brained”. Combining my purchasing, gift giving and artistic experiences resulted in the ability to create the “Baskets of Dreams Source Guide™ - First Edition that I look forward to updating in the future.

So whatever your art, whether it be Visual, Literary, Performing --- or whatever your craft, it is my goal to provide you with the tools you may need to succeed.

Thank you so much for visiting my website. I do hope that your experience is a good one and you find something useful to assist you in developing your creativity --- whether for pleasure or business.

Juanita Riffle

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