I am a glutton for anything shiny, glitter and gaudy.. always have been. I was the little girl that other girls got tired of playing with because all I wanted to do was play Barbie dolls all the time. I'm a self taught artist and am one of those people that if I do not create, I get really blue. So Gilly Gals fills the craving on those issues for me.

 I started making my Genies and Belly dancers over 12 years ago. After watching an I Dream of Jeannie marathon on Nick at Night I got to thinking to myself. "Self," I said, "she must be tired of wearing the same thing day in and day out." Thus Gilly Gals was formed and the rest is history.

I'm a happily married, stay at home Mom with three of the most perfect children you've ever seen! Ha! Ha! Ha! Seriously though, our kids are good kids and my husband and I are so thankful that we have been given the gift of these three sparkling little souls to share our lives with! They make us laugh, cry and teach us things we thought we already knew, but obviously didn't! LOL! Kids have a way of doing that to a person. ;)

I'm a big voice for originality in this line of work. If you see something on my site, you're seeing it for the first time. I do not "borrow" designs from other artists as I feel it is unethical and disrespectful to their creative minds. I am constantly searching for new area's of inspiration. If we don't push ourselves as artistically, we don't expand our talents.

I am a former staff writer for Barbie Bazaar magazine. I started the column Kelly's Clubhouse in '01. I held that post for several years until I resigned due the the birth of our 2nd child. I am sad that this publication is no longer in print. It was such a wealth of knowlege!

I like to be involved behind the scenes of conventions. I mean lets face it, there aren't many of us who can afford to donate thousands and thousands of dollars to charities every year. *Ever so grateful for those who do!!! Thank you!* So, I give back where I can by helping the events take place and by donating my work to the charitable auctions these events have. It's fun to see the excitement of the registrants having a good time and bidding on the Silent Auction items. However, it's a real rush to see that final $$ total and be able to tell the Charity Representatives, "This is for you guys! We Barbie folks all did this for you!!" THAT'S what it's all about!!

Sure, I collect Barbie, but only vintage 1959 - 1973. Since I've been a part of the Barbie Community both on line and in person, I've attended many conventions, shows and various other events and I've seen a lot of various kinds of dolls. My collection does not start and stop with Barbie. I also like a lot of other dolls as well. I collect Helen Kish's Riley and Friends, Annette Himstedts and Master Piece Dolls. As of yet, I have never been bitten by the Tonner bug as far as collecting, but boy oh boy, he sure puts out one awesome product! I love to work on his Matt's and other male dolls!

I also crochet, sew, embroider and I LOVE to make rag quilts when I have time. I decorate cakes for fun, too. I use my own home made fondant on them. That store bought stuff is nasty! LOL! I like to make them for friends' baby showers, birthdays and the likes. I don't sell them. It's just a fun thing I like to do.

On a personal note, I'm a born again Christian. It's a relationship, not a religion. I feel that every drop of imagination, design, creativity and every single idea I have ever had is because He gave it to me. I am nothing w/ out He who defines me.

*~* Some of my accomplishments include, but are not limited to...*~*

2012

 Artist - 2012 Grant a Wish Souvenir doll

Workshop Instructor - 2012 Grant a Wish Convention

*I will be teaching restoration of vintage Barbie clothes*

2011

Silent Auction Chairman - 2011 National Barbie Convention-

 * Silent Auction Realized over $14K for Provero House charity of Ft Lauderdale*

Workshop Instructor - 2011 Grant a Wish Convention

2010

Silent Auction Chairman - 2010 National Barbie Convention

*Silent Auction Realized over $14,000 for Rainbow Babies Hospital of Cleveland and the Rock Hall*

Workshop Instructor - 2010 National Barbie Convention

Workshop Instructor - 2010 Grant a Wish Convention

1st place Dream Date Competition - 2010 Grant a Wish Convention

Peoples Choice Award - 2010 Grant a Wish Convention

Previous Years

Silent Auction Chairman - 2008 National Barbie Convention

*Silent Auction Realized over $13,000 for Special Olympics*

National Barbie Convention Silent Auction Donation 2001 - $300

National Barbie Convention Live Charity Auction donator 2002 (by Invitation only)- my doll realized $900 for CAAF

National Barbie Convention Live Charity Auction donator 2004 (by Invitation only)- my doll realized $2500

National Barbie Convention Live Charity Auction donator 2005 (by Invitation only)- my doll realized $900

Grant a Wish Charity Auction Donator 2002 - $600 for my doll I made for them

Grant a Wish Charity Auction Donator 2003 -  $800 for my doll I made for them

Grant a Wish Charity Auction Donator 2004 - $400 for my doll I made for them

Grant a Wish Charity Auction Donator 2005- $200 for my doll I made for them

Grant a Wish Charity Auction Donator 2006- $150 for my doll I made for them

Grant a Wish Charity Auction Donator 2009 - $75 for my doll I made for them

Grant a Wish Charity Auction Donator 2011 - $435 for my doll I made for them

Blue Ribbon winner Ohio State Fair 2001 (5th largest State Fair in USA)

Staff Writer for Barbie Bazaar 2001 - 2003 * I started Kelly's Clubhouse for Barbie Bazaar in 2001*

Workshop Instructor for 2010 and 2011 National Barbie Convention

Workshop Instructor for 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010 AND 2011 Grant a Wish Convention workshops

My daughter and I at a doll show on 10-24-10 showing off our treasures of the day.

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