Karen is traditional tinsmith who uses a combination of old and new techniques and tools of the trade. For almost 50 years, she has collected antique tinwares and has an understanding of the people living in the 1800's and how they used tinwares. Her tinwares are a direct reflection of American life and that period of history.

Examples of her work includes chandeliers, lanterns, sconces, and candle holders. Her frying pan candle holder and a rare save-all candle holder (used to burn candle ends) are pictured in the June 2010 issue of Early American Life magazine.

Karen also creates many hand-crafted cookie cutters. Farm animals, flowers, hearts, stars and holiday/seasonal cutters are just a few of the designs available.She also designs tin wall hangings and quilt patterns. 

She is constantly interpreting designs from other media into tin – birds on stands, bird trees, baskets and corner shelves – all made of tin, rather than wood. As a tinsmith, adapting designs and creating original designs make the possibilities seemingly endless.

Karen has demonstrated tinsmithing at museums, has given talks to historical societies, made reproductions for museums, and ornaments for The White House Christmas Tree and had her tinwares featured in a number of popular magazines. As an avid history buff, she feels lucky to have associated with people who appreciate the American past.