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This website is dedicated to my love of textile history, its tools and lore, as well as making textile items (especially crochet), beadwork items, and rock-hounding, and to my dreams of making the ideal studio/museum/library to house collections and production. My Great Aunt taught me crochet basics when I was 7, but I waited until I was 21 and pregnant to learn how to read crochet patterns. (My son, Paul Allan Ballard, is now an extremely talented "Official" Star War Artist.) While pursuing a computer specialist career, I collected textile production/embellishment tools and studied numerous related techniques in my spare time. I also first learned seed beadwork from a Cherokee and bead stringing from a Chinese-American. Since then I have been fortunate enough to study under numerous notable bead artists. But it wasn't until retirement in 2006 that I found the time to follow my passions. I joined CGOA, earned a Masters of Advanced Crochet Stitches & Techniques, and volunteered to become a junior reviewer of Masters candidates' portfolios. I made crochet and beadwork designs. Since I had taught a few crochet classes and sold a small number of designs, I was accepted as a professional CGOA member. Although I did not have a background in website development, I learned enough to create this website, which is very much a work-in-progress.

I was extremely fortunate that Randy Cavalier volunteered through CGOA to mentor me. Our styles could not be much more different. Randy does beautiful, classic designs, whereas, I am drawn to jewelry, 3D items, freeform designs, and historic patterns. She also is extremely perceptive and wise. Randy encouraged me to work toward my strengths and interests -- to find my niche. That sounds obvious now, but I thought my greatest desire was to teach and travel. Randy helped me analyze my desires and our discussions made me realize that I particularly enjoy writing and that I am uniquely qualified to write about historic needlework with complimentary designs. In the past 2 1/2 years I have written a regular column for the CGOA Chain Link Newsletter, published six articles, published three designs, and am under contract for a fourth design, all related to historic needlework (mostly crochet) and mostly for Interweave Publications. A few books are in my future plans. I also provided Melanie Gall, a fantastic singer, with vintage sheet music and historic expertise for her CD of WWI knitting music, Knitting All the Day. In 2011 at the Greensboro, NC CGOA Chain Link Conference, I took freeform classes from the amazing Prudence Mapstone. Her work inspired me to design my NC Necklace which took first price in the 2012 CGOA Design Contest, Small Wonders category.