Joy Chaser is my free, hand-picked collection of tools for big feelings, calm, and creativity, for kids, families, and the grown-ups who help them. Because I believe joy isn't something you wait for. It's something you chase.
I'm an artist, a social worker, and a mom to two and stepmom to two, living in Milwaukee. I've spent my whole life chasing joy in one form or another: making it, finding it, and helping other people get their hands on it.
By day I work with kids and families, helping them heal, grow, and find their footing. The rest of the time you'll find me doing crafts and art, digging through thrift stores for treasure, or dancing in the kitchen with my kids.
my story
Why I chase joy
I'm happiest when I'm singing. Broadway was my whole world growing up, and on my good days you'll still catch me singing in the shower.
But in early college, mental illness I didn't know I had took over. When I got nervous, my voice showed it. I was so afraid of failing, of not being perfect, that I stopped trying. Then came my first panic attacks, and I let singing go.
Then I became a mom and a wife, and I started putting everyone else's needs before my own. Years went by where my own joy came last, if it made the list at all.
Here's the funny thing about it: on my up days, I sing without even thinking. On my low days, the song goes quiet.
And that's exactly when I need it most.
Watching my kids find their own musical gifts made me wonder why I'd stopped. So last year I joined a choir. My mental health was still shaky, so I took a semester off. Now I'm back, and I'm working on my confidence, on stage and off, because singing makes me that happy.
Joy Chaser is my project to take my life back and start living for me.
It's also bigger than me. I work with kids and families, and I want kids to learn about their mental health earlier. The world is finally starting to talk about it, which is wonderful. I want to go one step further and help kids find coping tools that really work for them, so they don't have to wait until their 20s, 30s, or 40s to figure it out.
And I want everyone to chase their own joy, whatever that looks like for you. If you've been putting yourself last for a while too, consider this your permission slip. This site is an open invite into what makes me shine and fills me back up. If I can help you find what does that for you, that's the whole point.
chase joy.
A few things that make me smile
doing craftsmy wild familythrift store treasurekitchen dance partiessunshinehelping people healnew art suppliescolor. all of it.miniature thingsbroadway belters
The Artist
Making things with my hands is where my joy starts. Right now that means printables I design for kids and families: calm-down kits, feelings cards, and picture routines.
I work with children, teens, and families, and I've gathered a library of books, apps, and activities that help people through the hard stuff. These are other people's great work, hand-picked by me.
One wild, blended, and wonderful family, and a whole lot of love. They're my biggest joy, my best critics, and the reason the kitchen dance parties never stop.
Come say hi!
Follow along for new art, new finds, and everyday joy.
