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Bio

Carol Barrett sent her daughter off to college in the fall of 2004 and found herself with an “empty nest” searching for a purposeful pastime. Having spent more than 20 years as a US Navy wife, mother, and social worker, she found her thoughts returning to her roots in sewing and crafts. Carol set out to refresh her fabrication skills and to learn all she could about design. Growing up in a family of talented people, (carpenters, tailors, writers, artists, musicians, and athletes), Carol was surrounded by creativity and plenty of encouragement to develop her talent. She learned to sew by age 5 making dresses for her Barbie dolls out of scraps from her Maw Maw’s remnants. By age 13, Carol was designing and sewing clothes for herself. She made all her own clothes for years, even for her wedding party! When Carol married her college sweetheart in 1980, her life took an adventurous turn. He joined the US Navy as a performing musician and the couple began a life full of change and transition. The Barretts became parents in 1986 when their precious daughter joined the family. During the course of her husband’s active duty career, Carol and her family lived on both coasts as well as Chicago, New Orleans, Washington D.C., and Hawaii, twice! Every move offered her exposure to the diverse cultural influences of each locality. Over the years, Carol has designed the interiors of more than a dozen of her family’s homes, and created bridal, maternity, business, and children’s wear for friends and family. Carol has studied traditional and Amish quilting, watercolor painting, dressmaking, and interior design. She teaches a variety of fabric crafts and jewelry-making classes at women’s clubs and conferences. Carol discovered her love of jewelry making while teaching craft classes for the YMCA. She bought tools and supplies to make earrings for herself and in no time her friends were requesting jewelry for themselves. It wasn't long until Carol was selling her handmade jewelry, handbags, and other accessories to friends and associates as well as fairs and fundraisers. Autumn Grace was borne! Carol and her husband have retired from military life (in 2008) and are currently living in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina. Female, Born on

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