I began rug braiding shortly after moving to NH from Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. I had recently completed my Ph.D., left highly competitive adventure racing, and a career as an epidemiologist to focus on family and I was just bored. I never expected to become the artisan I am today. It wasn’t until 2015 after 4 years of braiding that I began to take it more seriously. I enjoy working with a lot of color and texture while also keeping the look of traditional braided rugs. Most importantly, I want to keep this dying art alive and I embrace teaching this art; at demonstration events, I enjoy reminiscing with others about their grandma or aunt who used to braid.