Some official stuff
Monika's professional life started as a teacher in a prison in Germany where she taught everything needed for a GED.
Students had no books, there were no copy machines, no computers at that time. She had to be creative to keep their attention and have them graduate.
That was followed by several years of teaching in public schools - and teaching night courses for adults in a community college.
In Germany Monika had extensive teacher training, followed by teaching under unusual circumstances to unusual students.
Monika still teaches in short, fun ways with instant gratifications at every step in her current courses and in-person workshops.
After moving to the USA Monika taught some more in a community College.
But then the overwhelming creative yearning took over.
In 1987 Monika started making fun, comfortable clothes that make women's eyes light up - and they feel absolutely great about themselves.
She has been doing that ever since.
From the very beginning Monika has always come up with her own painting methods and patterns.
She even made Star Trek type jewelry with cardstock, hot glue, silver and gold foil and all kinds of crystals.
Even a lot of conservative men bought them to wear and to hold.
For 13 years Monika had a boutique at a resort in Colorado.
Woman called it "the transformation place where you fall in love with yourself".
She dressed women for their daily jobs as cashiers as well as for several presidential inaugurations - and everything in between.
Monika has played with thousands of women - and some men - one on one and in groups to dress in ways that light them up.
After selling the boutique and moving to Austin she got into wholesale to wearable art boutiques and galleries around the country - as well as doing shows and private trunk shows.
The lockdowns some years ago provided the perfect "reason" to finally listen to her yearning to teach again.
With a focus on creating sustainable joy while creating with the hands.
Monika is now teaching all of her totally unique, proprietary methods.
They are super simple and super fun. And produce what boutiques call "high-end looking, stunning styles."
Teaching and creativity are in Monika's blood.
She needs both like food and water.
Her clients say that they have never had this much deep inner joy and happiness as in her courses.
Monika loves to meet you in her online courses or on Zoom for private sessions or in person at her Studio in Austin, Texas, USA.
Monika is determined to spread joy around the world through simple, fun creativity where people can light up with joy - and pass it on to others.
Some quirky stuff
Most traditional art and creative processes either bore me - or frustrate me. I always automatically make creative processes super simple - so joy can be had faster and with more fun.
I love improvised baking - and feeding people with yummy baked goods and great coffees.
During college years I worked in a prison for 3 years. Doing group evenings and teaching cooking and baking classes at night. In the teenage and adult wings.
During the day I did everything a social worker would have done.
In 1981 lived in a bamboo hut in India - next to a jungle - with rats, ants and an occasional python as visitors.
At the time there were no cell phones or computers or easy ways to get in touch with "home".
When you were gone - you were gone - until you hopefully returned.
And according to doctors I should have been dead after a severe food poisoning.
I met my husband of 41 years while hitchhiking in California.
I've moved over 40 times before settling down 13 years ago.
I love hardware stores - and all the possibilities for creating with nuts and bolts and...and...and..
A jewelry piece from my Star Trek phase - with an amazing transformation story.
You can read it below.
"My life fell apart so beautifully."
The story of the pendant is coming...
