I am a female woodworking artisan. I have a drafting and design business and operate a woodworking shop out of my home. After having taught classroom and music in the elementary school system for 10 years, I have returned to my passion and roots, working with wood.  
   
  Raised on a homestead in the Kootenays of Central British columbia, I have always lived close to nature and worked and played with wood most of my life. As a youngster, my father would frequently encourage me to skip school and then we would climb trees in our Pixie Forest or have miniature log drives in the creek. I also participated in the building of the family log home at which time I was given my very first hand tools. We farmed with horses and my creative dad set up a 12-volt water powered electrical system in our basement. Working along with my parents on many homestead projects, later on as a teen I was employed by my father on construction jobs. This early intimate connection with the forest and wood has had a profound
influence on my work.

After marriage, my late husband and I built our own home in the Shuswap and during this process learned the use of power tools. Along with raising two daughters, I obtained my bachelor's degree from SFU then later became a certified draftsperson through UCFV. Since then I have produced custom house designs and woodworking for others.

Throughout my life, playing music has been important, with piano lessons starting at 4 years and with lots of singing around the piano with my family. I went on to learn to play a wide variety of instruments including violin and clarinet. I currently play the clarinet in the local community band. I starting building harps in 1999 and now play the harp for parties, birthdays and weddings.

January 2000 saw the passing of my husband. He died at home and the family pulled together to handle all the arrangements. I built his coffin. To help others through the passing of loved ones, I now offer a custom coffin building service. I emphasize pre-planning with the bookcase/coffins but will do rush orders as well. Check out my resting box pictures in my products page and e-mail for a price lists with different options.
   
  In 2000 I taught woodworking for 2 months to women in earthquake torn Turkey (see www.builderswithoutborders.ca). Upon my return, I began giving woodworking classes to women in my shop. Teaching women these skills has always been a dream of mine and I find it very satisfying to realize that dream.
   
  For information on up-coming classes or an appointment for custom house designs, contact me at: