Shortly after moving to North Carolina in 1987 and building her dream home on Pungo Creek, Julie became fascinated with how baskets could be crafted for a variety of purposes. After immersing herself in the basket-making traditions of the United States through the North Carolina Basket Association, she received a grant to study with Connie and Tom McColley, the renowned Weavers of Wood from West Virginia, where she learned to select her sapling tree, split the wood, hand carve the handle and make her own stakes and caning to create a basket on her own from nature. She also received a grant to study Nantucket Basketry with a very well known Nantucket artist. She also was invited to become a member of The Southern Highlands Craft Guild. Julie—one of the first artisans to join NC Handmade—passed away on October 9, 2021.

Julie has exhibited with The Raleigh Womens Fine Arts Council at Meredith College, Raleigh, NC; Kirkland Art Center, Clinton, NY; Mattamuskeet Swan Days, Mattamuskeet, NC; Albemarle Craftsman’s Guild, Elizabeth City, NC; Bank of the Arts, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, New Bern, NC; Beaufort Arts Council, Washington, NC; Yadkin Valley Craft Guild, Elkin, NC; Wilkes Art Gallery, Wtilkesboro, NC and Southern Highlands Craft Show, Asheville, NC.