I’ve lived in Lafayette, Indiana for most of my life. Born in Montpelier, Vermont, my father accepted a job in Lafayette to help provide for his family of five children and my mother.

I attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and received my Bachelor’s degree in Art Education in 1984. After returning to Lafayette I earned my Master’s in 1988 from Purdue University.

I now teach at the school I attended when it was a junior high for the Tippecanoe School Corporation.

Throughout my 21 years of teaching I have been the recipient of six grants totaling nearly $18,000. The most exciting opportunity, made possible by the Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program, was a two-week trip to Japan in 1992 to learn more about origami in the Japanese culture. I now credit my early interest in complicated origami models to my attention to detail and patience for creating time consuming beaded and chainmail jewelry. Some of the models I folded took several hours (see origami examples).

About 12 years ago I took my first bead workshop at an art education conference and have been hooked ever since (see beaded items).

I am a charter member of the Indiana Bead Society (indianabeadsociety.org) and have taught at many of the annual workshops and monthly meetings.

Other teaching experiences are: – The Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, WI – 2006, 2007, 2008 – The Puget Sound Bead Festival in Tacoma, WA – 2007 – The Indianapolis Museum of Art – Boca Loca Beads of Indianapolis – Various local libraries – The Purdue University Galleries in conjunction with the Bead International Exhibition – Bead Angels of Indianapolis – Local high schools

Chainmail necklaces, bracelets, and earrings made from brightly colored aluminumn rings and colored rubber rings. Purchase a completed necklace, bracelet, pair of earrings, or a complete set. Here are some samples of my work:

Kits are available for the craftsperson that wants to make their own chainmail jewelry or just the instructions. Select from several kits that include all the rings to complete a particular style of jewelry. Clear, and easy to follow photo illustrated instructions are included. Select from a wide variety of colored rings.

Here are some examples of my beadwork;

My interest in origami began when I came upon a book containing highly detailed origami models. I didn’t realize such difficult models were possible. I bought a book and began folding simple models working my way up to intermediate models.

Winning the Teacher Fellowship Program grant was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. Through the help of my professors at Indiana University, I was able to make arrangements to stay with Japanese teachers so I could learn not only about their origami culture, but what it was like to be an educator in Japan.

While there I visited numerous origami displays, shops, and a manufacturer of origami paper.

Perhaps most exciting was attending the origami symposium in Kobe; a five-day extravaganza involving 500+ origami enthusiast of Japan. I was among only 4 Americans in attendance. Along with my sister-in-law, Patty, the world famous origami designers Robert Lang and John Montrol were there!

My 6th grade curriculum includes a unit on origami.