Heritage Craft Center of the Eastern Panhandle

What is your craft? Fiber arts through material and threads. I am not an artist – just someone who likes to do things myself! I think of myself as a “Jack of All Trades but master of none.” There is a great satisfaction in trying to do different crafts, and classes are so much fun

.How long have you been doing it? I started at my mother’s knee, watching her make my clothes, and then she helped me make my doll an outfit to match.

You'll see Nonie Johnson, fiber artisan, at numerous community events. Nonie frequently volunteers to represent Heritage Craft Center.

Who/what inspired you to learn this craft? My mother was a beautiful seamstress, and my father was a weaver. When I see something I like, I like to do it myself and change it a little.

Where do you work? My sewing room is my idea room, but off limits to everyone -– including my husband.

Nonie is always happy to share her textile expertise with others. Here she answers questions from a visitor to the Heritage
display booth at Berkeley County Rail Days.

What are some of the things you make? Quilts, wall hangings, afghans, rugs, clothing, angels, tea cozies. Mostly small things.

What is your favorite "signature" thing to make? Chicken pin cushion.

What awards have you won?
My work is for my own enjoyment. Most I give as gifts or make for our own house. I have to think about selling as I hate to part with the many hours of work!

What is the most challenging aspect of your craft? Trying to do something old with a new twist.

What is the most satisfying aspect of your craft? Seeing a design come together! Being able to say I did it myself!

What other activities are you involved with? I enjoy volunteering for CEOS, church, Adam Stephen House, Heritage Craft Center, fundraising for BCSCS, etc.

Do you have any goals or aspirations for the future related to your craft? I still want to be able to needle tat.

Why are you interested in preserving the heritage crafts? So that future generations may know how things were done before all the technology came about.

I find myself wondering if my parents and grandparents would be pleased that I use their patterns and way of doing things. I believe my kinfolks would be surprised that we absorbed so many ideas and thoughts when we watched them in their daily lives.

Patchwork chicken pincushions are Nonie’s “signature” piece. She made them in pink fabrics for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We must remember that children are always watching us, and they will remember much. So we need to take the time to explain our ways.

There is a pride of doing it the old way and doing it yourself. You can't buy that in a store.