About
My Background
I was born in Toronto in 1961 to immigrant parents from Switzerland and Scotland. I was raised on a cattle farm surrounded by antiques, handmade quilts, hand hooked and braided rugs. My Swiss father instilled in me the value of handcrafted items. After raising my 4 daughters in England, Singapore and Canada, I returned to a rural lifestyle in the countryside of Erin, Ontario. The farm is where I have my studio, teach creative workshops and hold fibre retreats.
I have always been drawn to textures and colours. After careers in Photography and Montessori teaching, I feel I have finally found my passion in textile art.
education
BA Sociology The University of Western Ontario 1983
Montessori Teaching Diploma. St Nicolas Montessori, London 1990
Photography Certificate Sheridan College 2000
Oxford Punch Needle Certification The Oxford School 2018
Fibre Arts Certificate. Haliburton School of Art and Design 2022
Member associations
The International Guild. of Handhooking Rugmakers
(President 2021-2024)
Oxford Punch Needle Instructors Guild
Burlington Hooking Craft Guild
Ontario Hooking Craft Guild
Ontario Craft Council
Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia
Ontario Handweavers and Spinners
International Feltmakers Association
Fiber Art Now
Surface Design Association
Professional Development
I believe in lifelong learning and am fortunate to have studied with some of the best teachers in the fibre art world.
Liz Alpert Fay Kris McDermet
Amy Oxford Nancy Jewett
Gail Dufresne Deb Swzed
Heather Ritchie Susan Ferraro
Cilla Cameron Gene Sheppard
Deanne Fitzpatrick Susan Feller
Jo Hill Michele Micarelli
Larry Weyand Jennifer Budd
Tim Eads Meryl Cook
Beth Miller Ingrid Hermionus
Christine Manges Amanda McCavour
Winnie Glavine Michelle Palmer
Charlie Dalton Janice Sonnen
Susan Clarke
Charlotte Price
AWARDS
"My Nest"
First place in Alternative Fibres and Techniques
Ontario Hooking Craft Guild 2018
"Hippie Sheep"
Member's Choice Award
Burlington Hooking Craft Guild 2018
"Casual Friday Sheep"
Honourable Mention
Burlington Art Gallery Kaleidoscope 2019
"Fraktur Vogels"
Honourable Mention in Primitives
Ontario Hooking Craft Guild 2020
"Pumpkin Hill"
First place in Primitives
Ontario Hooking Craft Guild 2021
"Hamish in the Highlands"
Global Textile Hub Virtual Exhibition
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