About

About

I’m Anne; the heart and hands behind The Thoughtful Artisan. I’m a wife, a mom, an educator, and a maker, and I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t pursuing a creative endeavour. 

As a little girl, I marvelled at the talents of my mom and my grandma; learning to knit, crochet, sew, cross-stitch and explore embroidery at an early age. Through them, I learned that the true value of handmade was not measured in monetary considerations, but instead by love and heartfelt intention. 

As I grew, I paused many of my fibre-based hobbies and added photography, ceramics, and pottery to the creative roster. My love affair with cameras even led to owning my own photography business for over 20 years! Then in 2016, the tragic and unexpected loss of my mom delivered a whole new purpose for my making. In desperate need of comfort and strategies to cope with devastating emotional pain, I actively pursued intentional jewelry design and came back to my roots by crocheting again. 

In the years that have followed, I’ve become a well-rounded yarn-crafter. My personal journey is really at the heart of The Thoughtful Artisan. Creating has brought healing, and I believe it offers tremendous benefits to us in troubling times. I have found both purpose and joy in mindful making, empowering others, and fostering community connections; all things that were modeled for me by the most important woman in my life—my mom. 

Signs of her continued presence are all around, but the cardinal has been a predominant symbol of the unwavering love that transcends the physical world. I display it proudly as the brand of my business, because it represents so many of the core values that it was built on. This red bird represents vitality and love, loyalty and connection, courage and hope. It’s a privilege to serve the yarn crafting community in such a special way; honouring my heritage and carrying on the legacy of a long line of makers. 

Life is short. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.

Contact Me