I grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania during the 1960's and '70's. Having Ukrainian and German heritage gave me an inquisitive and industrious personality. My two older brothers influenced my bravery and two younger sisters helped to balance my kind soul.
My mother, and membership in the Girl Scouts, laid the foundation for my creative endeavors. I loved pursuing adventure that led me into nature, the countryside, or anything water-related (especially on the water, sailing). Being outside, among wildlife, has always given me the most joy and inspiration (raccoon swimming up to my canoe, or one washing it's paws in a waterfall, a fawn tumbling out of whispering tall grass, a whale giving breath to a seemingly lifeless ocean, to recall a few). What now inspires me is the 15 acres of glacial drumlin where I now live among deer, fox, pheasant, and mountain view of the Finger Lakes Region in Upstate New York.
Clever Treadler came into being once my 20 year career as a Secondary School Chemistry Teacher ended. Then, there was that ancient treadle sewing machine taunting me from my basement. In order to pursue a more gentle lifestyle, I answered its call. Restoring "Bessie" has given me great joy and has stimulated my creative mind in a new direction.
Drawing is one of my passions. Each design is organically made using free hand embroidery technique. I employ "Bessie", my bygone era treadle sewing machine, to tap precise stitches. By moving the fabric under the stationery "pencil" I am able to "sketch"out the subject. I use black thread to sketch over the top of colorful fabric. It's similar to applique, with a touch of detail added for character. My first pieces focused on my childhood, and the shoes that walked me through notable periods in my life. I aim to add more shoes to a wall art collection, soon. The shoe art transformed into shoe bags. The shoe bags inspired lunch bags, and now I'm heading in the direction of fabric trays and custom pet portraits ( pillows, mini-totes, framed art).