Helping my Canadian girlfriend move to the UK

First time poster (I hope this is the right place) can anyone help me?

I am a British citizen with a full UK passport. My girlfriend lives in Canada and is applying for a VAF2 visa (her maternal grandmother was British) so that she can move here next spring to live and work. (We won't initially be living together, but that's our definite plan!)

My two questions:

1. She currently works as a self-employed artist/musician and - since she rents in a very cheap apartment and is also extremely resourceful - lives on a very low income. Is this likely to cause problems with her application?

2. Would it help if I could sponsor her? Can I do it even though we've never lived together? I'm happy to guarantee to support her and make sure she doesn't need to rely on the state.

Thanks in advance - and Merry Christmas, all!