Judy Williamson - Publishing Director
Judy is one of the three founding sisters of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine. Her career was in the financial services industry with experience in sales, customer service, information technology, meeting facilitation, personal coaching, and project management; she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Muskingum College. Judy retired from a 27-year Federal government career, retiring to focus on the production of our little magazine. Judy has always enjoyed dabbling in the arts—singing, playing classical guitar, sketching, watercolors, and of course, the fiber arts. She began making quilts when her sisters Jeni and Gretchen opened the Woolen Willow and hosted a Jan Patek trunk show. She fell in love with Jan's "Morning Has Broken" quilt and just had to make it. Judy has two grown children, Leah and Ben, three grandchildren, and a sweet Husky-mix shelter dog, Roxy, who you often see in Judy’s “Do-Si-Do” column. Judy and Roxy spend most of their spare time at a little cabin in the middle of the Monongehela National Forest of West Virginia.
Judy is one of the three founding sisters of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine. Her career was in the financial services industry with experience in sales, customer service, information technology, meeting facilitation, personal coaching, and project management; she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Muskingum College. Judy retired from a 27-year Federal government career, retiring to focus on the production of our little magazine. Judy has always enjoyed dabbling in the arts—singing, playing classical guitar, sketching, watercolors, and of course, the fiber arts. She began making quilts when her sisters Jeni and Gretchen opened the Woolen Willow and hosted a Jan Patek trunk show. She fell in love with Jan's "Morning Has Broken" quilt and just had to make it. Judy has two grown children, Leah and Ben, three grandchildren, and a sweet Husky-mix shelter dog, Roxy, who you often see in Judy’s “Do-Si-Do” column. Judy and Roxy spend most of their spare time at a little cabin in the middle of the Monongehela National Forest of West Virginia.Jeni Gaston - Creative Director
Jeni Gaston is one of the three founding sisters of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine. She served in the United States Navy as a dental technician and assistant. Throughout her life Jeni practiced in fiber arts and ended up making a career as a designer and quilt shop proprietor. With Gretchen (another of the three sisters), she launched the online Rug Hooking Store, and later the Woolen Willow quilt shop, serving as co-business manager, designer, and instructor. She has created hundreds of original projects, and has been published in four magazines. Jeni enjoys creating new quilt, rug, and other wool project designs, dying wool, and spending time with her family. She lives in a 100-year-old house with husband Glen, and golden retriever, Chester. They have two grown children, Kristopher and Kristen, and one granddaughter.
Jeni Gaston is one of the three founding sisters of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine. She served in the United States Navy as a dental technician and assistant. Throughout her life Jeni practiced in fiber arts and ended up making a career as a designer and quilt shop proprietor. With Gretchen (another of the three sisters), she launched the online Rug Hooking Store, and later the Woolen Willow quilt shop, serving as co-business manager, designer, and instructor. She has created hundreds of original projects, and has been published in four magazines. Jeni enjoys creating new quilt, rug, and other wool project designs, dying wool, and spending time with her family. She lives in a 100-year-old house with husband Glen, and golden retriever, Chester. They have two grown children, Kristopher and Kristen, and one granddaughter.Gretchen Smith - Editorial Director & Advertising Sales
Gretchen is one of the three founding sisters of Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Liberty University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Valparaiso University. Gretchen has a variety of experience in procurement, sales, information technology, and business management with the CIA and various computer resellers. Currently, she is a full-time 6th-grade Math teacher. With Jeni (another of the three sisters), she launched the online Rughooking Store, and later the Woolen Willow Quilt Shop. She and husband, Mike, have two sons, Trevor and Brandon, daughter, Chelsea, two grandsons, two dogs, four cats, and lots of chickens! Gretchen enjoys singing and playing keyboard in a local classic rock band, hooking rugs, and making quilts.
Gretchen is one of the three founding sisters of Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Liberty University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Valparaiso University. Gretchen has a variety of experience in procurement, sales, information technology, and business management with the CIA and various computer resellers. Currently, she is a full-time 6th-grade Math teacher. With Jeni (another of the three sisters), she launched the online Rughooking Store, and later the Woolen Willow Quilt Shop. She and husband, Mike, have two sons, Trevor and Brandon, daughter, Chelsea, two grandsons, two dogs, four cats, and lots of chickens! Gretchen enjoys singing and playing keyboard in a local classic rock band, hooking rugs, and making quilts.In memory of our Mom, Mary Falcsik
With an adventurous spirit and zest for learning, Mary Falcsik (our Mom) taught us to sew, knit, appliqué, embroider, and to have fun in everything we do. She set the standard for us in keeping positive attitude no matter what. Mom was the author of Primitive Quilts and Projects' "Ask Mom" column.