A native of Poughkeepsie, graduate of Mount Saint Mary College and Berkshire School of Laboratory Medicine, and retired clinical laboratory technologist/clinical information systems analyst, my Temari passion began in 1998 upon first seeing photos of this Japanese folk art. A science geek by nature, blessed with my grandfather's eye for geometry and symmetry (he was a commercial artist/sign painter) but lacking artistic talent myself, Temari was a magical craft that seemed to combine everything good into one little round package. Temari are highly reminiscent of kaleidoscope images, another one of my favorite things . Having had a long-time modest interest in Japanese culture and tradition, I found myself embarked upon what was to become a passion for Temari.

        My initial foray into Temari was by book and kit, and all self-study. There were few English language resources available in 1998, either in hard copy or on the web. The limited number of English language books (there are a few more now, but then only four) were the mainstay of my basic learning; I then discovered and immersed into the Japanese texts. My developing interest coincided with the advent of home computers and the World Wide Web (very thankfully, since at this time I was recovering from life-threatening illness and resulting major physical disabilities. After a lifelong love of craft and needlework, Temari was the first handcraft I was able to succeed with again, regaining dexterity and fine motor control after 4 years of rehab). There was almost nothing about Temari making offered online in 1998; I posted a handful of web pages with contact information in November, 1998 in the hopes of starting to fill that void. Little could I, or anyone else, have guessed what those pages would evolve into and become today, or the resulting joy and pleasure that would come through it all.

        Almost immediately, there was a small but growing circle of people coming together. Those first web pages evolved into TemariKai.com  (Temari in Japanese is a combination of the words Te, meaning "hand" and mari, meaning "ball"; Kai is the Japanese word for gathering, society, group, world),  which is now a website of over 400 pages that has recorded well over a quarter of a million visits. It is the largest depository of information in the English language regarding the craft (thanks also to the countless contributed patterns and information from discussion list members and web readership). The site is linked to from many cultural and educational sites, and has been recognized by many Japanese groups for promoting cultural interaction. The early web pages gave rise to an online discussion list which now averages over 500 members, uniting people from the world over as they come together to learn, share and discover the craft. TemariKai and TalkTemari have created deep and lasting friendships through sharing this beautiful art, which in turn have spawned locally organized gatherings held several times a year throughout North America (with plans under way for the same in the UK, Europe and Australia), as well as bridging connections in Japan that gives us access to traditional and historical teachings.

        I continue to study, and develop both technique and design through the English and Japanese books (there are some 30-plus Japanese publications) along with online and in-person participation with Temari crafters. I’ve had the pleasure of creating many commissioned temari, had completed works used for several  textbook illustrations, been part of professional interior design projects, been invited to edit publications, and was commissioned in 2007 to write and photograph a complete DIY article for CRAFT Magazine (OReilly Press). TemariKai.com was honored in June 2005 by being translated into a Japanese version by a JTA Kyoujyu/Professor (Level IV) Temari Master from Kobe, Japan. In May 2005, along with a fellow temari crafter in Vancouver, BC Canada, I was invited to join and apply for certification with the Japan Temari Association, Tokyo, Japan. We were accepted as JTA members and attained Level 1 (Honka/Beginner) and Level 2 (Koutouka/Advanced) certificates, out of the four levels available (there are mandatory study periods between advanced levels). In May 2007 I passed examination for Level 3 (Shihan/Master), which grants teaching privileges under the Association. These are unique accomplishments in that, while there are several other non-Japanese Temari artists that have attained JTA licensing, it was by in-residence study in Japan under a JTA certified instructor. Our acceptance was a first in that application was allowed through independent, out-of-residence self-study with sponsorship and translation by a JTA licensed instructor. The craft, continued study and related activities including offering workshops and lessons for both adults and children, continues to be a most fulfilling and rewarding passion.