Along with Debbie Glatfelter, Jeanne Ciolli began creating Critter Craft ornaments and jewelry products out of FIMO in October, 1987. It was truly a blessing to find a business that allowed Debbie and Jeanne to stay at home with their children while contributing to the household income. In the beginning, the focus was on ornaments. What we call "critters". We made figurines of people in every hobby and occupation we could think of, even some we didn't! We were pleasantly surprised when we started receiving orders from across the nation. Though ALL of our customers are special to us, we've had the good fortune to make critters for several celebrities including Rosie O'Donnell. A highlight for Critter Crafts was when Rosie showed a plaque made by Debbie on her television program. The most rewarding part of Critter Crafts has been meeting people from all over the nation and listening to their stories about how our creations have touched their lives in some way. The Lord has truly blessed us with a wonderful gift and we're thankful for the smiles that have been sent our way.

In 1997, Jeanne was diagnosed with breast cancer and Critter Crafts was forced to make some drastic changes. Without the ability to work on clay for a while, Jeanne discovered a love for scrapbooking.   Scrapbooking saved Jeanne during a very difficult time and allowed her and her family  to focus on the good times, rather than the bad.  Wanting to help others suffering from the same disease, Jeanne and Memory Makers Magazine teamed up to form a contest called "Page for the Cure" to raise money for breast cancer research (see "News and Events").  Unable to find a scrapbook T-shirt that expressed Jeanne's excitement for her new obsession, she decided to design her own and the Paper Station clothing line was established.  In the meantime, Debbie started designing Christian rubber stamps and Joyful Hearts Stamps was born. Finding that her real interest was the stamps, Debbie retired from Critter Crafts in 2001. Jeanne's love of the company never wavered, and though it was difficult to carry on without Debbie by her side, she returned to production full time in 2002.

In October, 2004 Jeanne's life took another turn when she was introduced to wonderful company called Stampin' Up!  Cindy came to Jeanne's to do a workshop and before the evening was over, Jeanne signed on as a demonstrator and her feet haven't touched ground since!  In 2005 Jeanne was named as the #1 Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in Sales for California!  If you would like to see some of Jeanne's stampin' creations, please visit her Stampin' Up! website  www.jeanneciolli.stampinup.net.  As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Jeanne has learned that we all have the ability to do things we never thought possible.  "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd ever be able to stand up in front of a group and teach, but I LOVE IT!", says Jeanne.  Imagine Jeanne's surprise when she was asked to share her knowledge at the 2006 Stampin' Up! Convention in front of thousands of fellow demonstrators!

Though making ornaments is still a huge part of her life, Stampin' Up! has become Jeanne's passion.  If you live in South Orange County, California and want have a lot of fun creating cards, gifts, scrapbook pages and smiles, give Jeanne a call.  She would love to share her obsession with stamping and scrapbooking with you, your family and friends.  You never know, Stampin' Up! may change your life too!