I live with my husband, 3 dogs, and 4 sugar gliders in the Augusta, Ga area. I have two adult children who have made my life so much fuller. Even though I am an empty nester, with both children living their own lives, the memories are so sweet and provide me with inspiration and passion for this time in my life.
You can call me a Christ follower. The daily personal experiences I have with God touch me in a way that has changed who I am and what is important to me. God continues to give me a purpose and a peace that is honestly hard to explain but can't be denied.
My background is in Recreational Therapy. I earned a bachelor's degree at Kent State University and a master's degree at Clemson University in Recreational Therapy. I have worked with the elderly in the community and at rehab facilites, and special needs students in schools. I have also utilized my experience organizing many class parties when my children were young.
I believe that everyone experiences mental health strains at some point in their life. There is a wide variety of mental helath needs and everyone can benefit from paying attention to your own mental health. Voices of Hope is an organization that provides resources for people struggling with mental health as well as family members of those in need. I was honored to demonstrate a theraputic art journal page for the conference Fresh Hope for Mental Health in 2023 and 2024.
I began tatting in 2000 after seeing an advertisement for tatting lessons at a sewing store in Anderson, SC. My teacher, Marie Smith, gave me tatted booties for my daughter and a life-long passion for the art of tatting.
If you look closely, you will see tatted elements in my art journaling and art pieces.
In recent years, I joined Palmetto Tatters Guild where I have learned so much more about the art of tatting. Tatters Across Time is a program that has brought me a greater depth of knowledge in tatting. I have completed all three phases of tatting proficiency and am now considered a Master Tatter.
I am very blessed to have been able to experiment with art my entire life. As a child, my sister and I took art classes at the Toledo Art Museum every Saturday. Currently, I take several different art classes, including some at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. I really enjoy sketching and adding tatting to my artworks.
As you can tell, I am considerably inspired by our family farm. The farm has quiet walking trails, a peaceful pond, and an abundance of botanicals and wildlife. There are even some old homesites where I scavenge for old items that I can make new.
