| Home | Karen C.K. Ballard |
TARGETING POSITIONS IN: Designing, writing, consulting & demonstrating needlework and
beading. Presentations on textile history & displays of textile artifacts.
QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY: Karen is a retired computer professional whose duties included
developing and teaching contracting and computer technology classes. She has had extensive
education in graphic/sculptural arts, textiles, beadwork, needlework, glasswork, instructor-training
and public speaking. She is an award-winning crochet designer and professional member of the
Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). Karen has displayed textile artifacts from her personal
collection, professionally taught/demonstrated crochet, sold her crochet/beading designs,
participated in freeform crochet exhibitions, and researched/presented talks on textile history,
provided textiles history consultation, and written magazine articles about textile history.
RELATED EXPERIENCE:
Participated in the International Free Form Fiberarts Guild's 2015
Ocean-themed Challenge, my design was published
Participated in Prudence Mapstone's "Hearts & Flowers" and 2013 & 2015
her "50 Years of Flower Power" exhibitions
Provided Historic consultation to Malanie Gall for her "Knitting 2012 -2013
All the Day"-WWI & "Sweeter in a Sweater"-WWII knitting CDs
Won first prize CGOA Design Contest Jun 2012
CGOA Masters' Portfolio Reviewer 2012 - 2014
Published magazine articles on Textile History and Tools Jun 2010 - present
Awarded CGOA's Masters' of Advanced Crochet Stitches & Techniques Jul 2010
Accepted as a Professional Member of the CGOA Apr 2009
Displayed WWII knitting items @ Historic Freeman Store, Vienna, VA Nov 2008 - Apr 2010
Researched, developed, & presented talk: WW I/II Workbasket Campaign Jul 2008
Displayed related items @ Bull Run Regional Library, Manassas, VA
Sold design to Caron International Yarn Co. to use in a trade show Jan 2006
Crochet Demonstrator/Teacher at A. C. Moore, Manassas, VA Aug 2005 - Mar 2007
Designed patterns. Developed & illustrated class materials.
Sold patterns/class materials to individuals on their request.
Displayed thimbles, textile tools, figural needlework tools 1978, 1991, & 1999
@ Fairfax Library, Belle Grove Plantation, and Loudoun Museum
RELATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
TEXTILE/NEEDLEWORK - Primitive/Multi-Shaft Weaving, Drop Spindle Spinning, Quilting,
Quilting Color, Needle-lace, Kumihimo, Tatting, Crochet Techniques
TEXTILE HISTORY - Civil War Era Costume, Textile Preservation, Harriet Powers' Quilts,
Sericulture, Spinning Wheels, Native American Porcupine Quilling
BEADING - Chinese Bead Knotting, Loom Beading, Peyote Beading, Freeform Peyote,
Brick Stitch Beading, Herringbone bead stitch,Beads & Woven Threads,
Twisted Bead Techniques,Right Angle Weave, Beaded Cabochons, Bead Embroidery
JEWELRY - Wire Wrapping, Jewelry Design, Precious Metal Clay
GLASS - Etching, Lampwork Beads, Glass Fusing with Dichroic Glass
INSTRUCTION - Instructor Systems Design Workshops, Briefing Techniques, Persuasion
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT - self-taught: building threadwinder.info