I grew up on the big Island of Hawaii and from an early age was encouraged to create my own gifts, I was lucky to have several “aunties“ that were exceptional artists. My earliest memories are of sitting around a picnic table under the coconut trees and wrapping match boxes with coconut fiber covered with sand and shells from our little cove. Thus began a life of gathering!

One year we made sandcasts with shells and rocks, the next year I learned to embroider. Then came sewing, and needlepoint. By the time my children were born I was making teddy bears out of old jeans. Recycling became a passion.

I started making cloth ornaments and then large Father Christmases using antique lace and quilts. These have been collected by customers from Hawaii to England. I played with Fimo and made historic Hawaiian figures that were purchased by Hawaiian galleries. It was as I was trying to create expressive faces on my Father Christmases that I discovered Paperclay. I had finally found my medium!

Today my Holiday characters are all built out of Paperclay and usually use some form of recycled material as armatures. Every character has a story, whether it is his armature, the gathered items he holds or why he is being made!

Email: beth@ejhicks.com

Website: ejhicks.com