Piney Woods Tatting

Born into an eccentric Southern family, I was exposed in my earliest years to needlearts.  Having parents who are active living history re-enactors, along with a grandmother and great-grandmother who sewed for the public, I could not help but to pick up a needle and create.

Some of my earliest memories are of sitting next to my mother or one of my grandmothers and being mesmerized by their hands creating incredible works of art.  Embroidery, tatting, Native American beadwork, pine needle basketry, leatherworking, Inkle loom weaving, quilting, and sewing period costumes are just a few of the wonderful art forms I was privileged to learn at their knees.

The artistic influences in my life were not limited to my female relatives.  My grandfather was a talented woodcarver (or "whittler" as he preferred to call himself) who exhibited and demonstrated his art at the Smithsonian Institution.  His huge hands crafted beautiful spoons, bowls, and walking sticks.  My father is an accomplished artist as well, being a master muzzleloading gunsmith who also excels in woodworking, leatherworking, metalworking, drawing, and oil painting.

Growing up, I did not realize or fully appreciate the richness of my childhood; or the fact that as an adult, my upbringing would so heavily influence my career path.  I am so thankful I was blessed with such a warm environment of creativity and encouragement during my formative years.  My family is the reason why I create my art and endeavor to educate others.  Preservation of our nation's history and traditional art and craft forms (with my own progressive yet respectful innovations) is my mission in life.