About

I'm Jane and I am the artist/owner of Lizzy Oakland Design.  In case you're wondering, Lizzy Oakland is the combination of my middle name and the street where I grew up. I've been a creative soul for as long as I can remember.  What seems like a lifetime ago, I earned a degree in fine art from Villanova University.  I was in my young 20's then and had no idea what I would do with the degree. Lots of time went by. I became a paralegal, an office manager, a cheese monger. I got married. I had two kids. I got divorced, I remarried to an amazing man. I worked for years in jobs that were anything but creative.  I sat at desks behind computers daydreaming about living the life of an artist one day. And that "one day" came....

In January of 2015, I decided that I would take a huge leap of faith and dedicate my time to working as an artist. Over all these years, I had been defining my creative strengths and passions. It is only time and life experiences that give you that; not a degree. I knew that the timing was right and that the universe was begging me to follow my dreams. I believe in the power of reinventing ourselves at any age. After all, life is too short to spend your time wasting the hours on things that don't feed your soul.

13 more things about me:

1. I am passionate about connecting with community through my art and creativity.
2. I am a yard sale junkie, a thrift store connoisseur and a trash picking diva. 
3. I love finding old, discarded items and giving them new life, Old things have stories that need to be told and shared.
4. I believe that particle board is a poser. Real wood is the real deal.
5. I believe that making art and decorating your home should not cost you a fortune. 
6. I have enormous love for personal family history. I collect oodles and oodles of old photos of those beautiful souls who came before me. I use those photos in my jewelry, paintings and art. 
7. I believe you are never too old to change the course of your life; sprinkle the fairy dust and watch the magic happen.
8. I once lit my First Holy Communion program on fire in the middle of the ceremony. I've been testing the waters ever since.
9. I drive a white Ford F150 named Jessie on the weekends to the yard sales. I'd like to pimp her out with Hello Kitty accessories. My husband is not on board with this.
10. I hate peas. I love cupcakes.
11. I'm an avid knitter and crocheter; if you give me yarn, I'll love you forever.
12. I'm a lover of books. My husband and I have built two Little Free Libraries that are installed on the corner of our yard. If you build it, they will come. See #1.
13. I love hot baths, VWs, good books, coffee, kayaking, camping under the stars, nice people, lazy Sundays, back road adventures, farmers markets, Dim Sum, diners, breakfast for dinner, hammock lounging and art. Lots and lots of art.