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Since I was a child, I have always been creating: first fiber crafts: making my own clothes (did my entire wardrobe for college in the days when fabric cost pennies), knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, crewel, cross-stitch, and weaving. For a number of years I stenciled walls, even writing a magazine article on the how-to method with the old Japan powdered paints. In the late eighties I took a folk painting class just to keep a friend company, and that set me off in another direction: boxes, floor cloths, wooden objects like sleds and bowls, ornaments, anything that would accept paint. And now I am headed down yet another path. Other than an occasional class, I am mostly self-taught.
But I guess I didn't get enough cutting and pasting in elementary school because I am surely making up for it now. In 2001 I retired from teaching (English, Writing, and Women's Studies) and took a book binding class which set everything in motion. I became intrigued with the piano-hinged journal and found it popular. Selling first in gift shops, I moved on to fairs. When I was invited to participate in a small high-end art show and later to display in an art gallery, I knew I had something to offer.
I make boxes, books in boxes, journals, notebooks, cards, bookmarks, collages, just about anything that can be created with paper. The piano-hinged journal, however, is my trademark. I have made over 240, all of them with different designs. In fact, no two items I make have ever been the same. The basic structure may be repeated, but with paper choices, design, and embellishments each item becomes unique. I can guarantee "one-of-a-kind".
Carolyn