My Story

I was born in Los Angeles in 1953 and was four years old when I started sewing. By high school I was creating matching wool separates that were two decades ahead of the fashion trends.

Sewing was fun, but school nearly drove me crazy. Sitting still and trying to listen was never easy because I learn best when using my hands. Then in the 5th grade something wonderful happened. We made relief maps of California. I still remember the rough texture of the dough under my fingertips. When we painted the maps to show elevation, I made my San Gabriel Mountains bright red.

Because of that map, social studies became linked in my mind with enjoyment. Anthropology was a logical choice when it was time for college, and I followed my undergraduate degree up with a Master's Degree in Museum Studies from The George Washington University. After college I worked as a museum educator, conducting exhibit research at Pioneer Trail State Park in Salt Lake City, Utah, serving as Curator of Collections at the Washington County Museum in Portland, Oregon, and doing public programming for the New York State Archives.

Working full-time became more difficult once my children were born. I began to wonder how to combine my interests while at the same time having more work flexibility. Creating textile art workshops for kids seemed appealing, and I decided to give it a try.

During one of my first programs a student told me that she was having so much fun that she couldn't believe she was at school. Wow. I realized that I was also enjoying myself more than I ever thought was possible at a job. That was in 1996. Now, so many years and so many programs later, it's still hard for me to believe that I get to do what I love most and call it work.