I began my life in Horner, WV. Two months later, I moved with my family to Indian Run in Bristol, WV. By the age of 8, I had 5 brothers and 7 sisters. We grew up as “farm kids” on my parent’s “hundred acre woods.” After graduating from Bristol High School, I began married life. I moved out of state for a few years, but returned to the family farm where I raised 3 children. After my youngest child turned 17 and didn’t need mom’s apron strings any longer, I decided to do something for myself.
After visiting Jackson’s Mills Jubilee, I decided to try my hand at painting. Several of my art pieces are around the world including Japan, Canada, Alaska and several western states. But most important to me, are the pieces collected by my friends and family here at home. I attended the Salem Apple Butter Festival for 17 years as an artisan. Then I became an artisan at the Forest Festival in Elkins WV for about 14 years.
In 1989 I decided to explore the world of basket weaving through the West Virginia Extension Homemakers Club. Shortly thereafter, I began teaching classes of my own. I have taught in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, North Carolina as well as here locally. I started a basket guild here in Harrison County about 2000, at which I am still president today. I have taught students at the local elementary schools as well as my church and our VBS.
In about 2006, I was juried into Tamarack in Beckley, West Virginia, where one can still find my baskets and penny rugs for sale. In my second year at Tamarack I was informed of the 2nd top seller for 2008! In 2011 I was chosen as one of the top 15 of 3000 artisans and West Virginia Living Magazine did a feature article on those honored. In the year after I was chosen to run for governor’s award.
I still reside on the family farm in my very own “hundred acre woods'' with my husband of 42 years and my 1 cat. My 3 children stuck close by and shared with me our 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
PS: I fed and served the Oak Ridge Boys, in March 2019 hahaha
After visiting Jackson’s Mills Jubilee, I decided to try my hand at painting. Several of my art pieces are around the world including Japan, Canada, Alaska and several western states. But most important to me, are the pieces collected by my friends and family here at home. I attended the Salem Apple Butter Festival for 17 years as an artisan. Then I became an artisan at the Forest Festival in Elkins WV for about 14 years.
In 1989 I decided to explore the world of basket weaving through the West Virginia Extension Homemakers Club. Shortly thereafter, I began teaching classes of my own. I have taught in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, North Carolina as well as here locally. I started a basket guild here in Harrison County about 2000, at which I am still president today. I have taught students at the local elementary schools as well as my church and our VBS.
In about 2006, I was juried into Tamarack in Beckley, West Virginia, where one can still find my baskets and penny rugs for sale. In my second year at Tamarack I was informed of the 2nd top seller for 2008! In 2011 I was chosen as one of the top 15 of 3000 artisans and West Virginia Living Magazine did a feature article on those honored. In the year after I was chosen to run for governor’s award.
I still reside on the family farm in my very own “hundred acre woods'' with my husband of 42 years and my 1 cat. My 3 children stuck close by and shared with me our 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
PS: I fed and served the Oak Ridge Boys, in March 2019 hahaha