I began knitting as a 7-year-old in the back seat of our vintage lime green VW bus on our way to Portland to visit an aunt. That first masterpiece was a bonnet complete with ear holes and a pom-pom for my pet squirrel… okay, stuffed animal squirrel! I still have that squirrel, Cooper, named after my aunt’s cat. (Oh, the irony!)

   

   

Fast forward, I returned to knitting in 2005 and was glad to see the eyelash yarn and such frills phase go away quietly.    😦 Sorry, but those are the facts!  I now split my time between hand-dyeing yarn, knitting, and dreaming of my next color combo or project (oh and raising my kiddos with my steadfast hubbie, let’s not forget that!)

 

My Grandpa Carl worked at a regular 9-5 job in downtown Chicago as a printer where he was nicknamed "Holly" as a play on his last name.  He also set up a print shop in the basement of their large home on Ridge Avenue. He called it Holly Press. He had 2 enormous printing presses, type cases, a paper cutter that probably weighed a ton and various other gadgets. Five of his daughters, my mom and aunts, learned to set type and operate the presses! After sweeping up on a Saturday afternoon, the sisters would strap on their roller skates and race around the aisles that formed a big circle. Sometimes there would be popcorn or even a Pepsi (a bottle for each person – gasp!). To this day Holly Press and Grandpa Carl remain a source of pride and fond remembrance.

Holly Press Fibers is a nod to both my grandpa and his love of the printed word, as well as mom and aunts and their creative, artistic natures! Now I create hand-dyed treasures many of which are inspired by my love of nature and literature.

   

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I value diversity and inclusivity.  I strive to nurture an environment where everyone feels wanted and welcome.