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Sandra Lee Tobin

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Born in the Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York, Sandra’s early interests in art and lettering led her to enroll in classes in Jewelry Hand Engraving at Bowman Technical School in Lancaster, PA in 1974, where she met her husband, Tim. Following graduation in 1975, fellow Jewelry Engraver and renowned Calligrapher, Yvette Rutledge introduced Sandra to the art of calligraphy. After moving to Massachusetts in the early 80’s, Sandra completed a series of calligraphy classes to further improve her lettering technique. In calligraphy, she discovered the joy of the marriage between perfectly formed letters enriched with colorful artwork known as illumination.

During a period of convalescence following foot surgery in 1999, Sandra tried her hand at sewing and quilting. “This was a bit of a stretch since I had never done much hand sewing.” In quilting she found many of the same design and artistic elements that she had been working with on paper. Incorporating elements of folk art, traditional art and modern design into the piecing and quilting of fabrics to form objects that are both decorative and utilitarian, has become an ongoing passion for her. “I’m basically self-taught; I’ve never really taken any formal art or design classes. I have learned my craft through study and experimentation. I feel that the hallmark of my work is finding fun and interesting fabrics that play well together.”

In 2003 Sandra started recycling her Christmas tree into handmade balsam gifts. Recently she upgraded her line and now uses premium Fraser Fir, which she purchases locally. “My favorite thing about Christmas has always been the tree and I love being able to recycle it into something both decorative and useful.” 

Sandra and her husband moved to eastern Franklin County in the mid 1980’s to raise a family and currently live in New Salem. “I love this area because it feels like home.” Sandra's extensive line of hand-made fiber art and balsam gifts are sold throughout New England.

Sandra Lee Tobin
New Salem, MA 01355

Phone: (978) 544-2599
Email: twhitestobin@gmail.com