About Sybil

I cannot remember a time in my life when I was not interested in textiles and fibers. As a young girl, I was always thrilled when my father, a clothing wholesaler, brought home swatches of fabric samples that I made into tapestries and clothing for my dolls. I received my first sewing machine while still in grade school, and made my own clothing for many years.

Having lived and traveled overseas for most of my adult life, I have built an extensive collection of baskets, textiles, weavings and other fiber arts for all over the world. For several years, I focused on molas (colorful and impossibly complicated reverse appliques) made by the Cuna Indians on the San Blas Islands on Panama's Caribbean coast. Many of the pieces I collected are now in individual and museum collections. More recently, I have been collecting various types of baskets and textiles from Thailand and Indonesia, largely because my son has been living in Southeast Asia.

 As an adult, I have experimented with many different crafting techniques. In Costa Rica, where I lived for over twenty years, I began quilting and studied basketry.  In 2010, I made a leap from weaving baskets to weaving on and around dried gourds. I always seek to maintain the integrity of each individual gourd, and want each of my creations to reflect nature. Whether I'm travelling overseas or taking long walks around my current community (Milford, Michigan), I collect stones, beads, seeds, dried weeds and flowers to incorporate into my art.

 I am now utilizing a fabric coiling technique to create a range of functional pieces, including table runners, baskets and coasters.  I am thrilled to harvest my extensive collection of Indonesian batik fabrics, hand dyed yarns, and unusual beads, stones, and buttons.
 I try not to miss even one day without creating something new.