This Michigan native found herself in Martinsville, Indiana after a four-year layover in the Chicago, IL area. A change of scenery didn’t stop her love of jewelry or writing, two of her favorite things to do and display in her studio. Sheila is self-taught in the creation of brick-stitch American Indian-style earrings. She has been creating these wearable pieces of art since 1995, and especially enjoys working with extra-long bugle beads to make them statement pieces with attitude.

As for her writing, Sheila’s been doing that since she was in high school. She favors fantasy and science fiction, but has also dabbled in many other genres, including a long-running DVD review column for an entertainment magazine in Grand Rapids, MI. Her talent for the written word has also led her to editing, and she has helped several fellow writers self-publish their works, through her involvement in writers’ groups in her previous locations. Seeing a need for something similar in this area, Sheila hosts The Writers’ Studio, a critique and support group for writers of all skills and genres, on the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Lower Gallery of the Art Sanctuary.