Fran Paulman

Fiber and crafts have been a part of Fran Paulman’s life since hand sewing clothes for her Barbie, and learning to knit, at age eight. Fran is mostly self-taught, with lots of help from relatives, friends and books. Her crafting repertoire includes knitting, sewing, crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, quilting and beading - both jewelry and bead weaving/knitting. Next on her “to learn’ wish list is spinning and weaving!

Her greatest love, however, is teaching … teaching crafts, of course. What she knows, she wants to share with others who enjoy working with fiber and in color. What she doesn’t know, she seeks to learn from other teachers and from her students, who have taught her many things in many ways.

Fran lived most of her life in New England, working in the corporate insurance industry as a Programmer/Analyst and pursuing crafts as a hobby. In 2003, her job was outsourced overseas and she decided to make her living as a fiber artist and teacher. Fran currently lives in Portland, OR and teaches knitting, crochet and beadwork in several venues, including Village Beads in Multnomah Village and Bead Happy in Gladstone. She also does private lessons and craft class parties in homes, clubs and churches.

As part of her business – Joyful Threads – Fran sells handmade articles at craft fairs and commissions are always welcome.