Clara Carroll

I grew up in a family that had come to the United States in the early 1950's from Western Europe. My parents were both very good with their hands and very resourceful. By age 6 I began to knit and sew. This led to a life long interest in fiber and fiber arts. In my early 20's I began to learn about weaving. I joined a guild and through workshops and study groups gradually became proficient.

In college at Hope College and Michigan State University I studied Studio Art and Art History for several years before pursuing a profession in Medicine. After 35 years of working in the medical profession I retired in 2010. Now I am happily exploring more artistic endeavors.

My main interests are in cloth which is embellished with dyes, resists, discharges and paints. I also enjoy beading and stitching to add depth to the fabric. In weaving I tend to gravitate toward quality fabrics for the household. I like using them in my own home as they are different from commercial fabrics: more durable, more classic in design and often much more sophisticated than things you can find in stores.