Hi! My name is Barbara Wunder Hynes, and I've been designing and sewing clothing since the 6th grade, when I was inspired by Carnaby Street designer Mary Quant. Always the rebel, I started out learning to sew in 4-H, but quickly began experimenting and breaking the rules. (Like spray painting my Go-Go boots silver!) I learned to knit doll clothes at age 8, and I later taught myself to crochet at age 15. In my early teens, I began making and selling original garments in local Southern California hippie boutiques (using babysitting money to buy fabric). During this time, I also learned costume jewelry making skills, and I worked designing and making jewelry for a high-end mall boutique. In the 1970s, I worked as a costumer for two costume companies as well as freelance designing for local entertainers. Gypsy Spirit Threadworks was originally created in 1977. I hold B.S. and M.S. degrees in Home Economics from California State University, Northridge. I taught home economics subjects to high school and Adult Education students for ten years, including sewing and needlearts. I've also taught classes at many other venues for students of all ages. Over the years, I've been a member of numerous wearable art, quilting, and fiber art groups. Currently I'm a member of the International Freeform Fiberarts Guild, the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), Ravelry (weavingtheweb), and the Ventura County Arts Council. My fiber art creations have been displayed and sold in quilt shows, museums, galleries, art exhibits, fiber art shows, boutiques, craft fairs, and even outside of Grateful Dead concerts. My art quilts have won numerous ribbons and awards, including Best of Show. I appeared on an episode of the television show Uncommon Threads (freeform crochet with Prudence Mapstone), and my work has been published in several books.