She had tears in her eyes when she thanked me for showing her my miniature gardens. It was like she had a new lease on life, a new purpose.

I was a bit overwhelmed that she was overwhelmed and, at that moment, neither of us really knew what to do. We quickly hugged, said our good-byes and walked away.

A few years ago, when I used to do the Fremont Sunday Market, I would secretly watch the people that would stand and stare at my gardens. It was as if they really weren’t expecting it to see such a thing.

You could hear the gears whirring in their heads as they stood, literately wide-eyed with mouths open, trying to figure out what I’ve done. I knew I rocked their world, but, to me, it was just a mini garden.

It was my very first presentation back in 2006. All the women were staring at me, most with a patronizing look in their eyes, trying to be polite. Dessert was waiting and I had to hurry.

“How do you see this as a viable business? Who is going to be interested in Miniature Gardening?”

I stumbled through my answer, as if I had never thought about it before.

Our displays kept winning awards at the Seattle Miniature Show. Kris, the promoter, was very supportive and enthusiastic about the idea.

When I saw a “Best of Show” ribbon on my garden one year, it was my turn to have tears in my eyes. The hardcore miniaturists remained skeptical; some removed themselves from my mailing list in protest.

“The Seattle Times called, they want to do a story on you.” The big Northwest Flower and Garden Show was coming up quickly, they were looking for something different to put in their show issue. I made the front cover. (Digs magazine, February 2006)

“The Northwest Garden News called, she wants to do a story on you.” (Ok, she emailed, that was just for effect.) But editor Mary didn’t do a story on me – too much exposure from the Times. It seemed she was a bit put off that the Times got to me first.

As time went by, I collected email addresses and pictures of other peoples miniature gardens, and posted them in the galleries on my Web site. Some from people as far away as Chile, Australia, Netherlands and South Africa. And, I can now say for certainty, I have a miniature gardener in every state of the union.

When I posted on the Tiny Garden forum last week that I had won two awards from Dave’s Garden for specialization, I received a note from the person that started the forum a way back when:

“I saw many of your gardens while Googling, and they inspired me. IN FACT, they had a lot to do with what inspired me to ask Dave to start this forum! ;0) So see? In a way this forum is here because of you.”

And I am here because of them.

It’s been a long, strange trip, over the last 10 years with finding, then building this niche. And yes, it is 10 years ago this summer, when I accidentally found my vocation.

Since then, I’ve had to endure the snickers, the glazed eyes and the “that’s nice” attitudes of many people that didn’t see this as a viable form of gardening, never mind a valid business.

It feels good to win the two Dave’s Garden awards as Two Green Thumbs breaks its own records in sales and in newsletter sign ups these past months. We really do grow our own world. Thanks Dave!