Early encounter with Abyss Crafter?

Am I crazy or can you encounter the Abyss crafting witch early in the game? Like as early as Act 2 or 3? I swear I played around with the crafting rune stuff but I cannot find her again for the life of me.

Im in act 4 now and she is nowhere. IIRC I found her in a cave northwest of the main starter town. Everywhere I read says she doesn't appear until Act 5, and the witches house far west is locked behind a wall. I can jimmy the wall a little but not renove/destroy it.

Was this a fever dream of my first encounter?