I am an entrepreneur, owner of Pearly Gates Organic Soapery & Homestead. I've been farming organically, also doing other homesteading skills since 1981, making organic soaps and bath care products along with herbal studies since 1985. In 1984 I was a Regional finalist in the Robert Rodale's Organic Gardening Magazine contest, took up speed skating for over 22 years winning numerous awards, while coordinating local homeschool skate parties 25 years. I am a local organic food producer member with K.C. Food Circle since 2001, a host farm in the Growing Growers KC Program since 2005, a S.A.R.E. grant winner 2008 project titled 'Incredible Crop Yields From Small Urban Spaces', have shown my gardens with the Cultivate KC Urban Bi-Annual Farms and Gardens Tours, 2009 -18, Slow Money NE Kansas Entrepreneur Showcase speaker 2015, featured in several publications for my art, organic soaps and organic farm, 1974-current, 2019 KC Scholars Adult Returning Scholarship winner, KCAI Merit Scholarship 2020, KCAI Presidents Honorable Mention List fall 2021, & Byron & Marilyn Shutz endowed scholarship 2022-to present. I dreamed of being a potter at the age of 3. I attended State College of Florida and Ringling School Of Art And Design 76-80, never finishing my degree. I moved to the midwest in 1980 to start a family. In 2019 when my youngest graduated I knew it was time for me to finish my education going after my dream, ceramics. I entered KCAI in January 2021. I am majoring in ceramics, minoring in entrepreneurial and Asian studies. My anticipated graduation date is late fall 2024.

• organic farmer, manufacture soap bath and body care, herbalist, potter

  Farming · Pearly Gates Organic Soapery & Homestead

  Jan 1981 – Present

• Advocacy
• Politics
• Volunteering
• Philanthropy
• Entrepreneurship

• speed quad and inline skater

  1 award

  1991 – 2013

  Awards:

  1, 2 and 3rd place regionals, 6th place Nationals 1994

• organic farmer, organic soap maker, herbalist, potter

  organic farming, organic soap making, herbal studies and ceramics

  1981 – Present

• sculptor

  Best Of Missouri's Hands · polymer clay sculptor

  1987 – 1992

  Productions:

  Best of Missouri's Hands Cataloge 1989, 90, 91, 92

• Sand Sculptor

  Siesta Key Crystal Key International Sand Sculpture Contest · sand sculpture

  1974 – 1994

  Productions:

  1974-1994, 7 1st Place Awards

• pianist, flutist, accordion player

  Music

  1974 – Present

• macrame

  macrame

  1974 – Present

  Productions:

  misc

• student

  Kansas City Art Institute · Ceramics

  2021 – Present

  Productions:

  misc work

• Referee for skate floor, Homeschool Skate Coordinator

  Volunteering · B&D South Skate Center

  1994 – 2020

  Mission:

  to help coordinate skate parties

• assistant

  Volunteering · AWANA

  2017 – 2019

  Mission:

  help youth

• volunteer, tell about organization

  Volunteering · Loop Event Volunteer

  2016 – Present

  Mission:

  volunteer for Food for The Hungry, Child Fund, K Love Radio

• potter

  Volunteering · KC Clay Guild

  2016 – Present

  Mission:

  wheel throwing demo

• soap maker

  Volunteering · KC Food Circle Makers Faire KC

  2014 – 2015

  Mission:

  soap making demo

• engraver

  Volunteering · KC Clay Guild Raku Night

  2011 – Present

  Mission:

  volunteer

• volunteer

  Volunteering · 4-H

  2014 – 2019

  Mission:

  teach soap making, ceramics