November 15, 2015, will always hold a special place in my heart.
It was a season of big changes, again - after four years of immigration life and even bigger emotions for our family. My oldest daughter was in Grade 12, navigating the challenging journey towards a university and preparing for adulthood. My son was 8 and my youngest was 3 - such a band with a lot of energy and curiosity.
I kept my creativity alive through countless hours of sewing, knitting, and especially crocheting, pouring my passion into making collections for kids—and beyond— that I showcased and sold at craft markets over the past three years.
On top of it all, we were in the process of moving into our very own first house in Canada. Life was busy, chaotic, and full, but it was also incredibly enriching and creative after 4 years of immigration.
Amid all of this, I welcomed my very first art students into my home—a simple yet profound moment that changed everything. I taught that first lesson on my dining room table, a space that had seen its fair share of family dinners, school projects, and messy toddler crafts. My first students were children of our friends, and I will always be grateful for their trust—and, of course, my own kids were my students too.
It was warm, imperfect, and full of heart—just like those early days of building my art school.
At the same time, I also began volunteering as a teacher at the Russian school in Cambridge and I was teaching art and needlecraft for Continuing Education and the City of Guelph, offering classes on a variety of creative subjects. Each new role deepened my love for sharing creativity and connected me with an ever-growing community of artists and learners.
I never imagined teaching would become my passion, but perhaps it’s in my genes.
My mom was a lifelong teacher of German language in elementary school, dedicating her life to nurturing young minds. My grandpa taught math in college, sharing his logical brilliance with students. Even my great-grandpa, as far as I know, was a teacher in a small school in a Ukrainian village near Kyiv.
It seems that a love for teaching and connecting with others has always run through my family, and I’m proud to carry that legacy forward in my own way.
Today, as I reflect on how far we’ve come, I can hardly believe it.
My youngest daughter, now 12, has grown alongside my business and even shares her own creative work in the studio, inspiring others with her enthusiasm and talent. My son, now in Grade 12, is navigating the same exciting yet challenging path my oldest daughter faced nine years ago—preparing for university and adult life. Watching him step into this new phase reminds me of the journey my oldest daughter took, and I couldn’t be prouder of the amazing young woman she’s become, leading her own unique path with strength and creativity.
All these years have been full of milestones, and it reminded me of one from 2018 when my mom moved to Canada at the age of 76. It was a brave and inspiring change that showed it’s never too late to embrace something new.
Balancing family, building my business, and connecting with my students has been an incredible journey. It hasn’t always been easy—there were late nights, moments of doubt and crisis, and challenges to overcome—but my love for people and creativity has always been a guiding force.
And always behind me, offering unwavering support and encouragement, is my husband. His love has been the steady foundation beneath everything I do, lifting me up in my toughest moments and celebrating every step forward. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his endless belief in me and his quiet, constant presence in both my life and my business.
Over the years, my family, my amazing team, and my students have grown together into one big creative community—a family that supports, inspires, and uplifts one another.
Watching my students light up as they master new skills and find their creative voices has filled my life with joy and purpose.
Seeing my children grow alongside this dream, and knowing my team and students are part of it too, makes every step of the way even more meaningful.
To everyone who has been part of this journey and supported me, whether through kind words, trust, or shared creativity—thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I wouldn’t be here without you, and I’m so grateful to continue this journey with all of you by my side.
Next year, 2025, I will celebrate 10 years in teaching, 20 years in my Art & Design career, 30 years of experience in working with people, and my own anniversary 50 years of life on a lifelong creative journey.
I plan to celebrate it through a year of Special Art workshops and Giveaways for my students and creative events for the community.
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