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Sharon Olivia Taylor Fisher Ray

Quiltmaker, Owner

  Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States    

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network

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Quilting left an early mark on my life in Hamtramck, Michigan, where I was raised. During my childhood when visiting my mother’s friend, my curiosity was aroused when I noticed a large strange wooden structure that filled the living room at Ms. Mattie’s house. Looking back, I realize that the strange wooden structure was a quilt frame and that the frame would leave an imprint on me for years to come.

Throughout my life I have enjoyed all types of hobbies and crafts, ceramics, macramé, jewelry making, sewing and crocheting, but for some reason I always gravitated back to quilting.

Quilting, for me, has been therapeutic. It relaxes me and helps me resolve different issues. It is such a sense of accomplishment to see different pieces of fabric come together to create a beautiful piece of art, and to know that this was an accomplishment of mine. As my dear friend always tells me,” We cut fabric up and sew it back together again.” It sounds so simplistic, the method can be exhausting, but the results are amazing. So, not only do I consider myself a quilter, but also a fiber artist.

While living in Detroit I joined the Great Lakes African American Quilter’s Network but life was about to change. Shortly after joining the GLAAQN an opportunity presented itself and my family and I moved from Detroit to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since the move to Ann Arbor, I also joined the Greater Ann Arbor Quilting Network and the Greater Detroit Doll Crafters.

My membership in the GLAAQN has been such a challenge for me because of the highly skilled, artistic and creative members in the guild. The positive competitive nature of our members has forced me to sharpen and increase my skill level, which is a great attribute of our organization. I think we all have brought something to the table and like a quilt, the pieces have come together to create a masterpiece. I am proudly serving my second term as the president of the GLAAQN.

Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to mention and thank God for the blessing of this creative spirit. So, “Thank you Lord”, and may I continue to reflect your goodness, grace and love in all that I do.

Mother's Name:

Earnistine Fisher Taylor

How did the quiltmaker learn to quilt?

From class

When did the quiltmaker learn to quilt?

Age 40-49

Why does/did the quiltmaker quilt:

Gifts, Income, Pleasure

Name of quilting group(s):

Great Lakes African American Quilters Network (GLAAQN), Livonia Civic Park Senior Center
Greater Ann Arbor Quilting Network|Greater Detroit Doll Crafters

Estimate the number of quilts made by this maker:

5-20 quilts

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