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These things I pledge: BACKGROUND: I have worked in several phases of the printing field, newspapers and magazines; doing make-up, writing and editorial...and a few things in between. I edited Valley Views Magazine, a short story magazine for 10 years. A few years ago, I moved from Ohio to Cooksburg, Pa., less than a mile from Cook's Forest State Park, and a 10 minute ride to the Allegheny National Forest. Three years ago, I retired from making baskets and kits. I moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., then to Jersey Shore, Pa. I still sell basket patterns, but also do jewelry and knit purses. Along with hiking, bicycling and reading, I am as busy as always, although relaxing and enjoying life more. BASKET MAKING BEGINNINGS: My interest in basket making started in 1980 and has blossomed because of my own interest and the demand for my baskets. I sold them at shows and in shops in several states. I am no longer making baskets for sale except for some special orders. BASKET EDUCATION: My first basket was learned in a class; from then on I was on my own. I wove from patterns and copied from other baskets in order to learn. In 1986, I took a class from a nationally known teacher at Cook Forest Sawmill Art Center and found out that there was a lot more to basketmaking than I had ever dreamed. Later that year, I attended the Association of Michigan State Convention and took several classes. Then, I took every class I could, usually at state convention level from professional convention teachers. TEACHING: I no longer am teaching classes on a regular basis. Please contact me if you are looking for a teacher. SALES and SHOWS: I am no longer doing craft shows. I LOVE BASKETS! All typof baskets from traditional to modern, reed to natural materials. I make, teach, collect, search for, lecture on, and live with baskets. I always strive for interesting new designs and increased quality of weaving. And I love sharing my basket knowledge with others. Style of Weaving-What Makes my Baskets
Unique While I work mostly in reed and use many traditional basic designs, I try to give each one a special flair to move the design one step further. I am able to do this because 1) I teach as well as take classes at state basket conventions, thereby seeing different designs that I can incorporate into my own baskets, and 2) having enough artistic sense that allows me to blend design and color into a unique basket, and 3) I love to create and experiment, which in itself allows me to design baskets with a special appeal. PUBLISHED ARTICLES ON-GOING RESEARCH Research is also ongoing on Moravian Stars, Swedish Snowflakes, and Rainsticks. This will allow me to put informative tags on these items when I sell them, and to enlighten my classes when I teach. NEWSLETTER
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