I have always been an artist and a crafter.  I was the one you would find drawing on the walls in crayon.  In grade school I would doodle on my notebooks, practicing fancy writing and attempt to draw Disney characters, etc.  When I was about 6 my mom taught me to crochet and knit so that I would have something to do on long trips.  I also took crocheting in 4-H.  In my teen years I wanted to paint jungle murals on my mom's walls so that she would look like she had a really green thumb.

Through out childhood I attended craft shows with mom where we attempted to sell the various crafts we made.  My grandmother quilted and always had a quilt on when we arrived at her home, so that was a skill I acquired, although I didn't particularly enjoy it.

In high school I spent my time running track, cheerleading and playing volleyball.  I worked a part time job as an information receptionist for the Forest Service where I met my husband.  We we're married shortly after I graduated from high school.

I attended a technical college for Graphic Design.  Using the computer is my specialty.  I have the ability to draw most things and usually can figure out how to accomplish just about anything I set my mind to.

I enjoy recording my families history in our genealogy and scrapbooks.  My friends either like scrapbooking or want to learn, so I teach scrapbooking in my spare time.  My home was planned with a craft room on the main floor so I can accomplish my crafts.

October 2005 a friend approached me about being in a craft show with her.  We decided together it was too expensive so she asked if I'ld like to put on a craft show with her.  I instantly thought I could do that and left not five minutes later to check out a building.  We organized and put on a show that Christmas.  What a surprise to find out how much work it was and how expensive it is to promote a craft show.

A vendor at the Christmas Extravaganza shared a newsletter that had craft show listings and went to artists and crafters.  I thought how neat that was and immediately subscribed as well as advertising my future shows.  When the owner of the newsletter decided it was time to move on, I decided it was a perfect use of all I had learned.  I contacted her, and with her help The Extravaganza Craft News was created in July of 2006.  The newsletter is doing well but I feel that in this technical age it could benefit from a website so The Extravaganza Craft Productions was created.  It's purpose is to help my favorite people artists and crafters make their businesses more like their hobbies while hopefully making them more profitable.

I find that sometimes I really like what I create and sometimes I don't but always I enjoy the process.  I think I mostly enjoy learning a new thing and working at it to do well.

I hope that you have enjoyed learning about me and that you will enjoy The Extravaganza Craft Productions.  Please let me know if you have any trouble with the website, if you see anything that can be improved, what you would like to see more of, or even if you don't like what you see.  I will seriously consider all suggestions and work to make this site a tribute to all of you.

Thank you,

Shasta McLaughlin
The Extravaganza Craft Productions