My Story

I consider myself lucky to have been born into a large family that valued and encouraged creativity, independent thinking, quirky humor and stories. “Making things”, especially out of discarded scraps, was a normal part of our lives.

We are a family of woodcarvers, inventors, musicians, doll-makers, painters and fabric artists.

One summer, a neighbor dropped off a big box of vintage prom dresses from the 1950s. The one-of-a-kind fabrics, nettings, buttons, beadings all became a part of my first crazy quilt using one of my favorites, the feather stitch. And so my journey with textile art began.

I also served 25 years as a licensed clinical social worker, assisting children and families navigating difficult times, often incorporating art and scrapbooking into our sessions. From these families, I learned that no matter how dire things may be, expressing our hopes and dreams through color, shapes, and stories can be healing and uplifting.

Now I'm able to spend most of my days focusing on my artwork. I'm inspired by the stories and memories of the people who commission my work, the places I've visited and lived, and the vibrant colors and textures of forgotten textile scraps.