Temari thread ball wrapping

This is the experience I’m most excited about on my upcoming creative retreat in Japan.

Hand-wrapping a temari ball is slow, precise, and completely mesmerizing — much like my own creative process when making my thread sculptures.

Temari ball wrapping will be one of our hands-on workshops during my October 2026 Japan Fiber Art Creative Retreat, and honestly… it’s the one I’m most excited about. Embroidery thread is my favorite medium to work with, so learning a new thread art form is right up my alley.

If you love thread, pattern, and meditative making, this workshop is going to be magic.

Kasuri weaving in Japan

Kasuri in Japan. Ikat in Indonesia. Different names, same magic. ✨

This intricate resist-dye weaving technique creates those beautifully blurred, feathered patterns that feel almost painterly in cloth. Watching the precision behind every thread gives you a whole new appreciation for the artistry woven into each piece.

Kasuri is one of the hands-on workshops included in my Japan Fiber Art Creative Retreat in October 2026 — where we dive deep into traditional techniques, meet master artisans, and experience the textiles at their source.

If you’ve ever wanted to understand cloth beyond the surface, this is for you.

New Prints! New Colors!

I’ve been dreaming about a gallery wall for a long time and I knew my Lagoon print series was the way to go. I wrapped the blue first and loved it. The thread variation gives it so much dimension.

Unlike my larger works, when I create smalls there’s more freedom with the material. These prints are not just cotton thread. They have cotton, wool, silk and a shiny rayon stripe giving so much contrast.

Creative Retreats are here!

What will the fiber art creative retreat experience entail?

Small group travel with fellow creatives
Immersive visits to a kimono museum
Hands-on sashiko embroidery
Private weaving studio tours
Indigo dye workshops
Temari ball thread wrapping
Fabric shopping you’ll dream about
Local cuisine shared around the table
…and so much more

I’ve been dreaming about hosting retreats for years, and I’m beyond excited that they’re finally coming to life.

In October 2026, I’ll be leading my first group on a 12-day journey through Japan. Each day will center around a different fiber art experience—immersing ourselves in technique, tradition, and process. We’ll visit cultural landmarks, eat incredible local food, and connect deeply with fellow fiber-loving travelers along the way.

In 2027, I’ll be returning to Indonesia for a second retreat. Living there from 2015–2017 was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it shaped me in so many ways. I cannot wait to go back and share the extraordinary weaving, batik, and craft traditions with a new group of friends. It feels incredibly special to bring you into places that have meant so much to me.

Today is an amazing day!

Color Club Magazine Volume 4 is out and they featured meeeee!

I stumbled upon Color Club Magazine a couple months ago and instantly fell down the rabbit hole—I downloaded every issue, headed to the nearest coffee shop, and devoured them cover to cover. Hooked from the start.

When I spotted their call for submissions, I took a deep breath, reached out—and was over the moon when they replied with interest almost immediately. It was such a reminder: sometimes all you have to do is ask for what you want, and the answer might just be “yes.”

The tagline for Volume 4—The Art of Becoming: Art, Design and the Creative Life—resonated immediately. Honestly, could anything capture my own path more perfectly? I doubt it.

This morning I opened my inbox to the best surprise—my feature was out in their latest issue, weeks earlier than I expected! Patience has never been my strong suit, so I was beyond excited to see it live.

And the feature itself—I couldn’t love it more. Their questions were both thoughtful and fun, and I really enjoyed sharing stories about my inspiration, travels, and love of color. The images highlight so many pieces I’m proud of (and many that are currently available at Liz Lidgett Gallery!).

Seeing my work in a magazine feels incredibly special and validating. I’ve poured years into honing my practice, refining my process, and tackling the trickiest part—marketing. Creating art has always come naturally to me; putting myself out there, not so much. So to have a publication say, “Yes, we love your work and want to share it!”—it’s just the most amazing feeling.

A big thank you to Color Club Magazine for seeing me, seeing my work and sharing it with the world. My cup feels very full today.

The Making of a Workshop

Excuse me while I ramble.

I’ve got a lot of irons in the fire these days and one of them is workshops. When I began creating a career around fiber art, workshops were a big part of that. In 2018-2019 I was teaching often around Seattle, where I lived at the time. I was down to teach just about any fiber art- sewing, embroidery, macrame. Visible mending was all the rage back then and I taught that often with great success. At these workshops, attendance was good and I really enjoyed meeting the students and teaching my craft, but then came the pandemic and the end of in-person anything for a while.

Yes, it was mostly the pandemic that halted my teaching, but I was ready to hit pause. While I really enjoyed workshops, ultimately I wanted to be an artist that teaches sometimes, rather than a teacher who occasionally makes art. I was saying yes to any opportunity and it got to be too much to keep up with- scheduling, supplies, project creation, marketing. While I didn’t want to stop teaching forever, I wanted to refine my offerings and create something more intentional that reflected what I am truly passionate about. But I didn’t really know what that was just yet.

The hiatus ended up being a long one as it’s now five years past the shutdown. I’m slowly dipping my toes back into teaching and doing it differently this go around. When creating my art practice I asked myself, what creative act do I want to do repeatedly that also produces a beautiful result? So similarly with my workshops I ask myself- What do I want to teach over and over that will produce a beautiful result? The answer I keep coming back to is embroidery. Embroidered clothes are so custom, so special and eye catching. There’s a low bar for entry in embroidery- a newbie can learn a few simple stitches and quickly make a big impact. And it’s no surprise that pearl cotton embroidery floss is my absolute favorite medium to work with.

I’ve been stitching this sampler for a few weeks and it’s been a glorious experience in flow. I am obsessed. I am staying up way too late stitching into the wee hours of the night and I just can’t get enough. I love how it’s coming along and I’m pretty sure I’m going to mourn the completion of this project. But with the completion comes the true pay off- teaching this craft to others.

I’ve been expanding my business over the past few months and I have so many exciting things to launch soon- workshops being one of them. My goal for myself is to have these workshops help me connect with like minded crafters, to get to meet more artists and makers in-person to connect over our shared love of fiber arts. My goal for the workshop student is obviously learn a new skill, but also to help them slow down, experience the flow of repetitive handwork and to create something that they’re truly proud to wear and show off.

I’ve just added an Events page to my website that will list any upcoming workshops. Teaching when I travel is definitely something on my to do list for 2026 and beyond. If you’re interested in a workshop in your area, please reach out! I want to hear from you!

This Room, That Art - Teal Totems

Teal Totems

I met a woman named Teal once and my first thought was,
'damn, I bet her parents are cool.' 
Great name, great color. 

Today I bring you two Teal Totems and the rooms that they would compliment.

You can't go wrong with black accents, in my humble opinion that is. The black trim, countertops and baseboard create geometric outlines leading the eye around Luca Nichetto's Stockholm villa. 

Wouldn't this piece be fantastic hung next to the table,
the bright tone bringing together the two spaces?

The jaw dropping drama of all over teal in this cozy
Jill Bradshow Interiors space! 
I can feel the relaxation of that chaise calling to me.

The white light adds a long, lean sculptural element to this Jill Bradshaw room that would nicely compliment a long, lean Teal Totem. 

The Room, That Art - Oak Log Cabin

Oak Log Cabin

I think of my pieces as my children and when looking for a home for my children, I want it to be just right. The room shouldn't overtake the art. It should be not too busy, not too boring, just perfectly suited to sing along together creating a harmonious space. 

That's exactly what I've found in designer Tobias Vernon of 8 Holland Street.

This floor and that abstract piece- were they not created by the interior gods solely to compliment this Oak Log Cabin square?

The color palettes in 8 Holland Street interiors are impeccable! A clean white backdrop that highlights the pop of green dresser, then warmed up with the pillow and textile wall hanging. 

The oak color in the rug nicely picks up the oak thread.  This art, that rug- they just want to be together. I can feel it.

I'm always advocating for monochromatic art styled on a busy wallpaper. It's a hill I'm willing to die on and this space just solidifies my opinions as correct. 

The gold tones in the flowers offer the perfect amount of matchy-matchy with the Oak square. 

This Room, That Art - Charcoal Log Cabin

All black art?
Well, technically—it’s charcoal. This striking Charcoal Log Cabin square is bringing texture and sophistication. And even amidst these expertly designed interiors, it has potential to steal the limelight.

This Room, That Art - Plaid Squares

The algorithm’s been appealing my colorful side and recently served up this bold, brilliant space by @autumnsummerluv. Every shade’s having a party—and somehow, they’re all getting along. My blue Plaid Squares would feel right at home in this vibrant wonderland.

This Room, That Art - Monochrome Loves Wallpaper

I love a bold pattern and a bold patterned wallpaper is even better. But then you have to find art that doesn’t distract. Monochromatic is the answer. It lets the wallpaper shine and gives the eye a place to rest.

Perfect example is this amazing, large scale squiggle line wallpaper used by @kiki_designstudio. The art is large (20”x60”!!) but the tonal blues don’t compete with the busyness of the walls.

I call this piece Ascending Blues and it’s available through art consultant Alice Trahant Phillip’s Artist Marketplace. If you’re in the Atlanta area, Alice can bring this piece to your house so you can try before you buy- what an amazing service!

This Room, That Art - Time to get B R I G H T

This Room, That Art - Feeling Blue

This Room, That Art - Big Pinks

Today, let’s talk about something truly essential—pink!

A color so full of life, it practically hums with happiness.
Pink is bold, pink is playful, pink is a little rebellious in the best way.
It’s the confetti of colors, the exclamation point of decor!

Just look at how these two fiber-wrapped blocks bring
a burst of pink magic into these spaces.
Don’t you think your world could use a bit more of this rosy delight?

This Room, That Art - Italian Summer

The Italian Summer series was inspired by the dreamy hues of vintage Italian beach photography. Created for Liz Lidgett Gallery, these color block pieces capture the sun-soaked joy of seaside escapes—bright, playful, and bursting with la dolce vita!

Like a spritz on a hot day, they add the perfect pop of charm and vibrancy to these beautifully curated spaces.

a color story - R E D

Red’s been my top color for the past couple of years. My favorite color tends to change with my season of life and the past few years have brought red to the

I found an awesome red sweatshirt at Fremont Vintage Mall in 2020. It says ‘Enjoy Skagit Valley’ in the old CocaCola logo style. Skagit County is an agricultural area about an hour north of Seattle. I used to work up there and driving to work through the marshy farmlands and tulip fields was a daily color experience.

I soon added a pair of red sweatpants to my wardrobe so I could go full tilt, head to toe red. Undoubtably this is one of the reasons why my partner tells me I dress like a rapper- a compliment that I accept with great pride.

My affinity for red is so strong that I made my logo a red square. Of course, I went with a square as so much of my work is based on square blocks. Much of my inspiration comes from quilt squares, specifically the log cabin quilt where the red center square signifies the hearth of the home. I love designing new patterns and color stories by starting with a red square and building out from there.

The two artworks above (left, Red Curves by Ellsworth Kelly and right, a close up of Raqqa II by Frank Stella) are two pieces that had great influence on me while searching for my artist voice. Raqqa II has been on display at the NC Museum of Art since I was a child. It’s a massive canvas that used to live at the bottom of a staircase in an area that’s open three stories up. It makes a big, colorful statement in a vast space and I can remember it catching my attention time and time again as a child.

The Ellsworth Kelly piece I came across in 2021 when I visited SFMOMA for my birthday. At that time I had been trying to find just the right form of creative expression for a few years. A lot of my creative journey has been a struggle of editing. I like it all, but have trouble deciding what I really love. I had been attemping to strip away details to find something more streamlined, more targeted, less fanciful and less cluttered. Seeing Ellsworth Kelly’s giant color statements took my breath away. I was struggling with putting together these four and five hue color stories that always turned out to be too much, too busy. These sculptures by Kelly suggested to me that one color might be enough. I started experimenting with single color pieces and fell in love with the idea of creating a large, one color square that can stand alone. Sometimes we need to see things to know they’re possible and for me, simplicity is something that I needed demonstrated.

A couple of other favorite red shots from my reel are the three above. The middle one is an Indonesian ikat textile that I saw at the Seattle Art Museum at their ikat exhibit (another birthday art museum trip, yes you see a pattern there). The other two are street photos from Indonesia where I lived from 2015-2017. I love SE Asian scooter culture. Everyone has a scooter and is unafraid of packing it to the gills with balloons, food, people, etc. I also love kaki limas (small, rolling food carts) especially the tofu ones. This one is round tofu balls that are deep fried and usually come with different fillings. My pick was always tahu isi which is the cabbage filled version.

This being the first of my blog posts on this platform, I’m not sure who will be out there reading this. If you’ve made it this far, I’d be over the moon if you left a comment below. I’d love to know how your impressions of red! Or what you enjoyed about this article or how you found me. Just say hello. I’m listening.