I was raised in a family that was creative—each in their own right.  I always perceived my maternal Grandfather being able to take nothing and make something out of it.   During the depression, the government paid people to move from Colorado to Northern Idaho.  My Grandparents owned a farm.  During World War II they couldn't produce enough on the farm to meet government quota so they had to go to Los Angeles, California to work in the airplane factories.  My Mother was 18 and went with them.  My first toys were buttons and pins because my Mother made custom baby apparel and worked from home.  Whenever she wanted a button, she had to go to the sofa where I had pinned them to the designs on the sofa--my first exploration into creativity.   After the war we all moved back to Northern Idaho -- approximately 30 miles from both the Canadian and Montana border. When I was 6 years old my Grandparents built a motel.  They did everything themselves including sawing the logs into lumber, the plumbing, electrical, and carpentry.  My Grandmother did the finishing works and accessorized the rooms.  This was an incredible experience to see what people can do.  Their home was always a special place for all the Grandchildren.

During my childhood, my Mother had worked with my creativity.  My Mother and I made valentines from old wallpaper catalogs.  We created Easter baskets from the 2-quart milk cartons.  She made certain I had the opportunity to participate in 4-H.  I went through 5 years of perfection sewing.  I took a Rock Hound 4-H project one year enhancing my love for stones.  My Mother saw my art ability.  Even though financially it was a sacrifice, she paid for art lessons for me.   We didn't have a lot of money growing up.  I believe that taught me so many things I wouldn't have learned through a more affluent lifestyle growing up.  It has also made me appreciate whatever I am blessed with.

I had the wonderful opportunity to take art lessons from a renown realistic portrait artist.  What she taught us not only applied to portraiture but all subject matter.  In my early 20s, as a tribute to this wonderful artist, I taught a 4-H art project one summer.  I was terrified the first couple of meetings.  After that I was so excited about what these children were accomplishing I forgot to be self-conscious.   I had 7 early and mid teenage children.  At the fair, two were red ribbon winners and 5 received blue ribbons.  All their work was very high quality.  I could not have done this, and what I do now, without the techniques I had so freely and lovingly been taught.

Life had taken me to the East Coast of the United States.  Then I receive another blessing.  In the fall of 1995 I was given the given the opportunity to learn the process of making leather feathers from the leather crafter who created this process.  He hand tools the original feather and after many trials and errors finally figured out how to make a working stamp of each in his line.  With a 5000 lb press he is able to stamp out leather impressions.  I purchase these from him making this an affordable wearable art form.   There are only a few of us making these from his impressions.  

 I get my die-cut Maple lea

I  learned the original painting technique which consists of layers upon layers of paint of varying consistencies.  This understanding has facilitated my being able to look at a feather to determine what colors and sequence of colors is needed to create an illusion of it on leather.  This has lead to many other birds being represented in my leather feather line.

A whole new dimension was added to my product as over the years I have modified my work, tooling the backs, adding extra shaping, and making my own Sterling Silver findings for my earrings and necklaces.  I found by reshaping my high quality, Nickel Silver pin backs to have a slight curve, I could maintain the beautiful shaping of my pins.  I later enhanced the quality of my barrettes when I found a source of one piece, Nickel Silver French made, French barrettes backs.

My latest undertaking is making leather masks.  The first mask, a custom piece had a base, creating the neck, of Eastern Red Cedar.  Since then I have learned a boiled leather technique to prepare my leather to make a unique base to mount my masks on.  I also enjoy making the leaves and flowers which I sculpture from the leather and then paint.  My aspen leaves, butterflies, and fairy wings are made from the impressions my teacher makes in the same way he does the feathers.

I have received numerous ribbons and metals for specialty pieces at differ shows. 

 As I continue my leather and other art work, I am embarking a new and exciting venture--WorldVentures.  Meet me at www.vletravel.worldventures.biz to see what I am doing and if it is something that may be of interest to you also!  (Start with button #2 and if you have time, enjoy the movie by clicking on button #1)