This is an art I learned while living in Raleigh, North Carolina.

While living in Indiana before moving to Raleigh, I started collecting Longeberger baskets and developed a real love and fascination with the art of basket making. After moving to North Carolina, I had the opportunity to take a class in Longleaf Pine Basket making while attending a teacher’s retreat. I continued to practice the art, making baskets of various shapes and sizes – selling a few, but giving most of them as gifts to friends and family.

Now, with more time to spend on the art I love, I’ve been exploring various venues and have been encouraged with the reception my hand made Longleaf pine needle baskets have received and am excited to become more active in the various events around the state.

After retiring from teaching in 2011 and having moved back to Indiana, I am now enjoying being able to spend more time making hand-crafted treasures that make unique gifts and help preserve the art.

I am originally from Indiana, having grown up in Bryant. I graduated from Bryant High School and then received my Bachelor’s degree in teaching from Ball State University. While teaching, I obtained my masters from Purdue University.

After teaching for over 30 years – primarily High School English – I retired from teaching and moved back to Indiana. Our daughter blessed us with a grand daughter in 2009, which was the event that initiated our plans to move back to be closer to family and to be able to watch our granddaughter grow and to be part of her life.