Chapter One... A Humble Beginning
In early 1998, just as my first book was being published, I began an
online group called "That's TOO Cute!" as a place for decorative painters
to meet and discuss all aspects of painting. It was a no-frills email
group with a monthly newsletter "for painters, by painters" with content
coming from group members who shared tips, ideas, book reviews, etc.
In each issue I would include a design for them to paint along with instructions
and a scanned line drawing. After a short time it became apparent
that there was a lot of "good stuff" flowing through the list and newsletters,
so I started reading up on the basics of web design and built a very simple
web site to house all of our information. As we grew in number, (reaching
1,000 members at one point!) we also grew in purpose, bringing in guest
writers who were knowledgeable in the painting field and having guest designers
included in interviews and projects. At the same time I was doing
a lot of teaching
and design work and enjoying every aspect of my "job"... an artist
for a living, what a blessing!
Chapter Two... Burden Turned Blessing
Less than a year later a unexpected health issue forced me to put the
brakes on.
I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor and started on a drug therapy
regime aimed at shrinking the tumor. The treatment was much less
than pleasant, even in small doses I was very sick and I had to stop teaching,
even locally in my home studio.
There is a verse in the Bible that says in part: "all things work together
for good"... for me this became reality when 45 days after starting treatment
I learned I was pregnant! My husband and I had been married for 14
years, after 14 years of dreaming of a family, treatment of a very scary
problem helped to bring about one of the greatest joys of our lives!
Chapter Three... Putting the Puzzle Together
So, what does this have to do with ToleTown? During my pregnancy
I knew that my traveling would now be limited, I wouldn't want to sacrifice
one moment of my time with this little one! :) While continuing to build
on the web site the "TOO Cute" list, members were asking us to come up
with a way to offer interactive pattern packets that would be like taking
a real painting class... hmmm... a virtual studio? Suddenly the whole
concept of ToleTown
began to come together!
Chapter Four... Construction Begins
"Joyful Heart Studio" was the first building to be constructed in the
town. A virtual classroom with HTML capabilities allow us to have
live classes complete with step by step illustrations with students painting
and interacting together! For students who have a schedule, making
a live class difficult to attend, materials are placed in an "e-packet".
All members are able to access, download and/or print out the complete class
and live class log which often includes lots of extra information as students
questions are answered during class!
Of course, as a town there are a lot more buildings that just
the paint
studio! That was part of the fun of pulling the site
together!
We have a working Post Office, a Schoolhouse with a Teacher's Resource
Room, a Malt Shop (chat room) for visiting, a Library, a Chapel which
is
the heart of our neighborhood Sunshine Ministry, and so much more!
Chapter Five... The Neighbors Move In
Another beautiful thing about being a "town" is that members become
neighbors,
and here
they truly are in every sense of the word! This group of ladies (and gentlemen)
is the sweetest you'll ever meet... and as each new member moves into town
they are welcomed with open arms and waving paintbrushes! :o)
I am proud of the community spirit that has developed here, and thank our
members for that friendliness that we have become known for!
Chapter Six... Where Do We Go From Here
So, here we are, four years and some 80 designs later... what's next?
Well, the great thing about a virtual town is that even though there
is construction going on, you don't have to deal with very much noise
or dust! Our streets are as cozy as ever, but there is still lots
going on! Our latest project is the video clip library which came to life during the fall 2004. We began to provide
technique clips with the class materials right about the same time, enabling
students to watch segments of the class... we are excited about that! :o)
We also continue to save all of our affiliate earnings using the funds
to bring in guest teachers! This has been a great opportunity to
learn from some wonderful artists, all from the comfort of your computer
chair! We've already enjoyed classes with Jamie Mills-Price, Kerry
Trout, Cindy Trombley, Jill MacFarlane, Jan Fox, Jan McCraw, Deb Malewski, and more!
Perhaps our greatest goal is simply that of bringing you super classes,
a variety of learning opportunities and fun destinations for interaction
packed into neat little picket lined streets in a town that is a joy to
call "home"!
Chapter Seven...
The Mayor's Office Expands!
In September of 2004 the "Mayor's Office" was rennovated to accomodate
a second office!
There are no words to express the joy in my heart over the fact that
designer/author/teacher
Susan Kelley has joined me here at ToleTown!
 Lovingly titled "Deputy Mayoress", Susan is
a partner in every way. She has quickly taken on duties, shares
in site development and maintenance, and
of course designs and teaches classes here each month!
Susan brings a whimsical style to ToleTown...
probably best known for her sweet
candycane-nosed snowmen, she has a distinctive style that is a pure
delight! She also brings her experience as a One Stroke Certified Instructor and a Ken Brown Certified Calligrapher
into the classroom
providing a real variety of designs! You can check out Susan's books
and packets at her website,
Puddles of Paint.
Chapter Eight... Growing by Leaps 'n Bounds!
Nearly 200 designs and a few years later (almost half way through
2008), we are still growing by leaps and bounds. ToleTown is
bursting at the seams with new projects, new ideas, new things to do in
Town, and lots of new members. We have a wonderful Town that is
filled with friendly 'neighbors' who offer up support and encouragement
to one another each and every day. Our current Town projects
include the addition of more 'how-to' video clips for the Resource
Schoolhouse, more crafty and traditional ideas in the Holiday House and
the PaperCraft Cafe, updating the Town Library to include a search
engine to help members find just the right project to paint, and adding
more "member to member" get togethers in the Malt Shop where we
sit-a-spell and paint while we chat online.
Can a web site be a blessing? You bet!
I always tell folks that the site was a gift from above, just like
my son,
given as a way for me to stay at home with my little miracle baby,
yet allowing me to continue teaching, design and sharing with others.
I love everything about decorative painting and one of my
greatest joys is still the thrill of passing along the tools of
knowledge and technique to my students.
Many members here have told me that this site has been a gift to
them,
allowing them to learn and fellowship with other painters in such
a unique way...
the funny thing is, I often feel like I am the one who has received
the greatest
gift as this journey has "stretched" me as a designer and teacher,
and has delivered to my desk top some of the best friends I have
ever had.
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