Barbara Bannon and Mary Longacre
Barbara Bannon and Mary Longacre are not only two talented sisters, they’re best buddies in Craft and in Life.
In the past few years they’ve created and sold hundreds of scarves (Mary) and pottery vessels (Barbara). Percentages of those sales were donated to Darren and Michelle Gillett’s Pens with a Purpose (See Laurel’s December 2020 issue). That money feeds the hungry around the country and halfway ‘round the world.
With all that energy and commitment, it’s hard to believe only one of the sisters, Barbara, has first-rate vision. Mary was born with a congenital vision dysfunction, leaving her technically blind with only one weak eye, the other eye removed. But that limited sight, when coupled with her unlimited spunk, spurs her on, and she produces beautiful scarves day-after-day. After so many hooks and loops it’s become Zen.
Mary was a military wife. Along the moves base-to-base, she met a woman who taught her to crochet. Let’s just say she was hooked for life.
Barbara took up her craft, pottery, after taking lessons with Frank Vickery at The Bascom. That encouraged her to subsequently take a series of classes with visiting artists from all over the country.
Now, with the skill and confidence she has honed over time, she says, “I give basic classes at both my Scaly Mountain Studio and Sky Valley Country Club in Sky Valley, Georgia.” For more info, email barbarajbannon@gmail.com.
Whether digging their fingers into silky-soft yarn or silky-soft clay, the sisters are perfectly content up-to-their elbows in their mediums. It’s hard to know if they get more satisfaction from creating or from donating. Whichever it is, the world is a better place for the beauty and the bounty they bring.
Barbara and Mary invite you to see their work by visiting The Scaly Mountain Crafters Store or by emailing The Gilletts at pens.dstm@gmail.com, or call (678) 794-5996.
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