About Me
The name Willow Walker found me several years ago, and I legally adopted it in September 2013. Prior to that, my given name was Janice A. Sitton.
I grew up in Hendersonville, NC, where I spent countless hours roaming through the woodlands near my home. My continuing love of nature was born from this time. I moved to Asheville in my early 20’s to finish my college education at UNC-Asheville, and got married and began work in the business world after graduation. It was a relatively easy life, but it didn’t seem complete.
Although I had achieved the American dream, I was far from happy. It was difficult for me to find meaning in my life and work, and I had no idea who I was aside from being a wife and a corporate employee. I eventually left my marriage and my job to find the answers to these questions within myself.
Over the next 10+ years, an incredible journey unfolded. I discovered the life principles and interests that motivate me, and changed my work and behaviors to reflect those
principles and interests. I began to live more simply. Work presented itself in the area of the arts and sustainability, which was extremely satisfying. It felt great to work for something bigger than the bottom line. I was working to help the Earth and my Community now.
I eventually moved to the San Francisco bay area of California to pursue a career in Zero Waste management, and had a blast working in that industry. I even started my own company, called Good Green Graces, to help festivals and large events reduce their waste through recycling and composting programs.
Life was pretty good until my beloved Grandma fell and broke both her ankles in 2009. She was in her early 90's, so I knew that was the beginning of the end. I gave up my career in CA and moved back to be with her. She passed in the spring of 2011, and my Dad followed her the same fall. They were my favorite people. Lost in grief, I turned to spirituality for solace, having no idea how much my life would change as a result.
I joined a women's circle, where my new name began to form, thanks to eight perfectly straight willow branches and a willow tap root that I brought to that circle. Then, a session with an energy healer flipped me upside down. I had to learn more.
I enrolled in the Shanti School to study energy work and medicinal herbs, and to continue the self-healing which had begun to unfold. I embraced Reiki and Jin Shin Jyutsu®, which help restore balance and harmony on all levels. After a couple of years of study, I opened a healing arts practice, called Willow Healing Arts, so I could share these incredible healing experiences with others. It was through this practice that I became known as Willow Walker. The name has been with me ever since.
Unfortunately, although my practice was very fulfilling, it wasn't enough to make a living. I had to return to more traditional work, providing management and accounting services for various nonprofits and community-focused businesses.
I discovered a love of beading in 2015, which has occupied many winter evenings since. And, due to the volume of work produced, I started selling my handcrafted jewelry under the name of Willow's Delight.
In 2023, I was able to complete the NC State Extension Master Gardener program, which I had wanted to do since I began gardening 20+ years ago. Working in gardens, helping community members learn about gardening, and hanging out with people who talk endlessly about gardening and plants are some of my favorite things to do now.
I also enjoy spending time with the “kids” (the cat Bacon, and Mabel the dog), working on my home and yard in Brevard, hiking in our beautiful NC mountains, reading, journaling, writing nonfiction, studying and reveling in nature, and spending time with good friends and the love of my life. Life really is good.
The journey is far from complete, and I hope it never ends. Each day brings new awareness, insights, people and places that broaden my experience. I am very grateful for my life and all that is in it, including those of you who have visited my website and read to the bottom of this page. I hope our paths cross in the near future if they haven't already.
Willow