Barb Nelson

About Me
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I'm a retired Art Director/Graphic Designer and I love animals. I attended the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale where I got my degree in Fashion Illustration and Advertising Design. Most of my career I worked as Art Director for a major department store chain. Years ago, before photography took the place of illustration, I illustrated ladies, men's and children's fashions for catalog and newspaper advertising. After computers replaced the artist's drawing board, I made the transition to designing fashion catalogs on a Mac and directing photo shoots. I've left the corporate environment and now I'm able to make more time to enjoy my pets and pursue my passion for crafts. I continue to live in the Sunshine State of Florida, where my primary arts & crafts interests are pine needle basketry, gourd art, knitting, crocheting and colored pencil art. I travel to various craft shows where I vend a booth and teach coiling classes. My Etsy Shop centers around dyed pine needles, Waxed threads & sinews and custom crafted basket centers.

My Process
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Pine Needle Basket Coiling and Gourd Crafting are greatly enhanced with the use of dyed pine needles. I started dying my own needles and received many compliments on the quality of my dyed needles so I began dying larger amounts of Florida Long Leaf Pine Needles in a variety of colors that I can offer to others who enjoy coiling. I gather, sort and bundle all my own pine needles and I use premium quality, professional dyes to achieve the richest colors possible. After my needles are dyed and rinsed, they are thoroughly dried before shipping. Please look through my selection of colors. If you don't see what you want, message me. I'm happy to create a color for your project. If you're looking for Natural (undyed) premium Florida Long Leaf Pine Needles, you'll receive the best of the season. I also offer other crafting supplies and embellishments to go along with basket making and gourd art, including waxed cording, imitation sinew and great craft books on basketry and gourd art. I enjoys looking at all the great projects my customers make as well as offering advice to newcomers. Great customer service is a cornerstone of my store.

Thanks for stopping by.