ABOUT BONNIE: I live in Allison Iowa through the summers and in San Manuel AZ during the winter.  This came about when my hubby retired in 01 (and wanted to golf year around!)... So I got to quit my job of 25 years as a Secretary/product coordinator (9.25 mo of year) at Wartburg College Computer Services. I'm married to a fella who puts up with my doing so many things and having all the equipment as well as letting the housework go so I can carve! I have two boys who've given me 2 really nice daughters (-in-law) and they in turn have given me 5 wonderful grandkids! Two boys and three girls!  And 2 grandkids are out in Az and 3 in Iowa so get to see some both halves of the year!

I've done painting and drawing as well as many crafts for years and started carving in Oct of 1988 when my Dad wanted to take a class and I went along. I've really fallen in love with carving and can still draw and paint too as I do paint a lot of my carvings (mostly with oils). I joined the NE Iowa Wood Carvers Club in 89 and was talked into coming and displaying at the Iowa Show and then once there they also talked me into entering the show. I nearly went home after walking into the judging room because I couldn't believe the beautiful things there!  However I was lucky enough that I walked away with a blue ribbon and 4 other minor ribbons out of the 6 pieces I entered in that show! (Still can hardly believe it!) I've since won a few more blue ribbons at the Iowa State Show and have been lucky enough to have 5 of them pictured in Chip Chat's,  a National Wood Carvers Magazine!