In early 2014 I asked readers to take a survey, and the most requested topic was my personal story: how I got started, what I studied, and how I ended up launching Studio DIY. I kept meaning to write it and with more requests in 2015 I finally decided it was time to share the whole story.
This post exists largely because of my mom. For a surprise bridal shower gift she made nine scrapbooks documenting my life from birth up to now. It’s an incredible gift and a perfect way to piece together the moments I wanted to share here. Thank you, Mom — and prepare for some of the most embarrassing photos I’ve ever shown!
Paper Crafts
My creative path began long before a formal career, though the story that leads to Studio DIY really picks up in middle school. I was always crafting — while my four brothers played sports, I sat on the sidelines making things. I tried track for a while, enjoyed dance, and at one point wanted to be a zookeeper and even design cat houses. In elementary school a friend and I ran a little roadside business called “Paper Crafts,” selling our handmade creations like a lemonade stand. That early love of making things never left me.
In 2002 I was diagnosed with a stomach tumor called GIST and missed much of eighth grade while recovering. During that time I became fascinated with fashion design, sketching clothing and researching schools and careers. I found the pre-college program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and dove in that very summer, even while still taking post-surgery medication at lunchtime. That program gave me a taste of what I thought my career would be: fashion design.
The Other Man in My Life
The only picture I have of Mr. Schwartz (left) and I.
As eighth grade ended I enrolled in art classes to build a portfolio for fashion school. My art teacher, Mr. Schwartz, had been an elementary school teacher who later opened his own art studio. He became my mentor, championing each student’s individual path and encouraging my creative experiments. Outside of my family and my partner Jeff, Mr. Schwartz was one of the most influential people in my life. His guidance helped shape everything that followed. He has since passed, and his loss has been one of the hardest things I’ve faced.
Some of my artwork from high school
In high school I traded a brief band stint for a sewing class where I really honed my skills. My sewing teacher, like Mr. Schwartz, encouraged experimentation. I learned how to adapt patterns into my own designs and completed several projects I was proud of.
Kid Entrepreneur
In 10th grade I started a jewelry business after taking a class at a local bead shop. I sold pieces at craft shows and even organized home parties. I made decent money but spent it all on designer purses — a lesson learned. Around that time I also entered a contest called Teens in Fashion, which asked teens to design a six-look collection for a chance to show at New York Fashion Week. I won and, at 16, presented a Greek Isles–inspired collection. The experience of seeing my designs on a runway and walking out as the designer was unforgettable and confirmed that pursuing design seriously was the right path.
My collection for Fashion Week
I set my sights on the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles and prepared to attend after graduation.
Work the System. Always.
Some of my sewing projects
Senior year I “worked the system.” School never inspired me the way creative work did, and when the option for an independent study arose I jumped. Mr. Schwartz agreed to be my advisor and we focused on building my portfolio. I took only the necessary academic classes and spent my afternoons at his studio — sometimes working, sometimes doing crossword puzzles, but always learning real-life lessons I value far more than classroom theory. I’m not promoting skipping school — I respect teachers and education — but for some students an alternative approach like independent study can be transformative.
Long Distance
I was accepted to FIDM and moved to Los Angeles in fall 2007. That summer I’d met Jeff and fallen in love, which made leaving my small town bittersweet. In LA I loved the city but found the program didn’t fit me — I was the only student in some classes who had prior sewing experience — so I switched to Visual Merchandising and still felt unsettled. I worked part-time embellishing costumes for a film and eventually moved back to New Jersey to rethink my direction.
I decided to follow Jeff to Washington, DC, and while waiting to move I interned in New York for early-stage StyleCaster and later in fashion at Bridal Guide magazine. Those experiences shifted my interest toward weddings and editorial work. In spring 2009 I started at American University, finished a semester early, and graduated with a degree in Public Communication and a minor in Marketing. If I could do it over, I’d emphasize business studies — practical business skills are invaluable if you plan to start your own venture.
My First Blog
While in DC I started a wedding blog called Notable Inspiration. That project led me to the Making Things Happen seminar where I met people who became employers and friends, and opened doors into weddings and floral work. For my senior year I again arranged an independent study focused on building a website — Studio DIY. The first version remained private, but it taught me web development and the fundamentals I’d later use to launch the real site.
I graduated in December 2010, stayed in DC a bit longer, worked for the wedding blog United With Love, and partnered with a web professor to build Studio DIY’s first public version.
Studio DIY — The Party Starts!
Jeff and I moved to Los Angeles in June 2011. I continued freelance work for wedding companies while preparing to launch Studio DIY, which went live in November 2011. Initially the site leaned toward weddings, but over time I broadened the focus to colorful DIY projects and party features. Early projects like “Congrats in a Box” gained traction in round-ups and introduced my work to a larger audience. Gradually sponsored posts and steady content turned the blog into a consistent business. By early 2013 things became more reliable and I shifted to working on Studio DIY more full time.
Growing the blog into a business had no single secret: consistent, high-quality content with a clear, recognizable style built trust with readers and sponsors. I prioritized a vivid, colorful aesthetic and stuck to it across posts and social media. I also networked — attending conferences and meeting other bloggers — and slowly built an audience. One notable boost came from an Instagram feature that brought a large surge of followers, but most growth was steady and organic. My advice: decide on your brand, commit to it, be consistent, and be kind and humble while you work hard.
Tips for Getting Started and Building a Business
1. Work the system. If your school curriculum doesn’t teach what you need, ask about independent studies or alternative projects. Initiative often gets rewarded.
2. Don’t rely solely on school. Intern, work, or create your own opportunities. Real-world experience fuels creativity and builds a practical skillset.
3. Own your brand. Define a clear style and voice and stick to it. Consistency helps readers and partners recognize and trust your work.
4. Work hard. Successful entrepreneurs put in long hours and deliberate effort to grow their businesses.
5. Be brave. Fear often accompanies growth. If you’re not nervous when making big moves, you may not be pushing far enough.
Thanks for reading and for your patience if you’ve been waiting for this story. I’m excited to see what the next chapters bring — for me and for Studio DIY.