Barbara took up weaving and spinning nearly 50 years ago as therapy to help heal the physical and emotional wounds inflicted by a car accident that claimed her husband's life. She never imagined the craft would entwine itself in her life and become her life's work.  Barbara then aged 29 was hurled though the windscreen and was left to rear three young children aged 9, 7 and 5 years on her own.

Barbara spent time in hospital with two broken arms and the tendons in her wrists, hands and face badly severed. She left hospital with no movement in either hand. After a year she found the spinning and weaving proved to be an ideal therapy as it forced her to use her hands and offered a new mental and physical challenge.

A weaver of many years' standing, she utilizes New Zealand wool, Australian and New Zealand Kid Mohair and silks to hand-weave the fabric for fashion garments with an emphasis on professional design.

A recipient of many Australasian Awards, Barbara's name has frequently appeared on awards lists since 1980.

She has presented many Fashion Parades for conferences as well as staging solo exhibitions throughout the country.Barbara currently works from her home studio on a New Zealand Mecchia 8 Shaft Dobby Loom and a Canadian 4 Shaft LeClerc Loom.

Much in demand as a tutor, Barbara has shared her innovative talent and skill at many workshops and weaving schools in both New Zealand and Australia.

In 1979 Barbara traveled extensively to Australia, England, Scotland and parts of Europe promoting New Zealand’s beautiful wool fashions. Every two years since 1982 she has lead a party of up to 16 New Zealand and Australian people to attend “Convergence” in the United States and Canada.  The conference is used to exchange ideas and meet weavers from various parts of the World.

Barbara’s main interest has been to specialize in hand-woven fabrics suitable for high quality fashion garments for excellence and innovation in her field. Through her desire for textiles she has had many invitations to promote her craft. To her credit she has received commissioned work in Korea, Melbourne and conducted a fashion parade for distinguished overseas guests, namely President Schiells of West Germany.

Barbara currently markets her exclusive hand-woven textile craft and fashions throughout New Zealand and Australia. Each piece of fabric is a one off design, its individuality promising its owner a lifetime of pleasure and value.