I started sewing and crafting when my youngest daughter turned one. My two girls were only one year and ten days apart. I would sew late at night sometimes until one or two in the morning. I would travel to garage sales, estate sales and thrift stores to find unique items for my creations. I would also find some beautiful vintage items along the way. The craft business started to slow. I found a spot in a local Antique Co-op - Haddon Heights Antique Center. I have been there for over 20 years!

My aunt opened up a co-op and I also took a small space with her. The small space grew and grew. I started mixing old and new. I named the business “A Wing and a Bear” after my love of bears and angels. I travel all over to find unique gifts, especially ones that have a vintage flair. I took over a baby business in 2003. This became “A Wing and a Baby Bear”. I have clothes and accessories from newborn through size 4T. I love what I do! The only thing that I miss is sewing. I recently started cleaning out and reorganizing my old craft/sewing room so that I can begin making handmade creations again. I hope to share these with you in the future!

Shortly after I started my baby business, I was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. I was admitted to the hospital with what I thought was a stomach virus. Unfortunately the MRIs and scans showed several spots on my pancreas and surrounding ducts. I had to tell my family, including my two girls that I was going to die. This was the hardest thing I had to do! I feel very fortunate that I had so many people praying for me! I had people of all faiths doing prayer chains. Through the grace of God the spots disappeared or were justified in some other way. I had a blocked, infected bile duct which almost killed me, but I made it through. I still suffer with GI problems, but I did not die from cancer! This experience has changed my life. I believe in the power of prayer and have a new appreciation for everything around me. I am so happy that I am here to watch my daughter’s grow into young adults. I was given that opportunity and just saw my oldest get married! I still have numerous GI issues and had heart surgery a couple of years ago. I am still enjoying my businesses and my family. God Bless!