Member Directory
Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi Members
Search our Member Directory by name or medium (Metal, Ceramics, Glass, Mixed Media, Wood, Fiber). Or, scroll down the page to browse our Members.
About Us
We are makers on a mission to preserve and promote, educate and encourage, the highest standard of excellence in regional crafts.
The work of our Members reflects a high degree of competence, professional standards, and artistry in their medium and category. Eligibility is determined by a jury review process which takes place twice each year.
Brandi Henderson
Brandi's passion for creating has been a constant throughout her life. She began sewing in 2011, while pregnant with her first child. What started as a few nursery projects quickly grew into a deep love for the craft. Coming from a family of talented seamstresses and quilters, Brandi feels a special connection to this art form, believing that it was always meant to be part of her journey. Sewing allows her to combine creativity with beautiful fabrics, exploring endless possibilities for functional yet beautiful combinations and designs. When you receive one of her handmade pieces, she hopes you feel the care, quality, and thoughtfulness that goes into every stitch. In 2020, Brandi was honored to be featured in Spoonflower's Maker Spotlight.
Brandon, MS
Fiber
Guild member since 2018
Patti Henson
Patti Henson
Jackson, MS
Fiber
Fabric Design
Guild member since 1976
Patti is both a graphic artist and a fiber artist. She wrote and illustrated a children's book, "My Friend, the Forester," for the Mississippi Forestry Commission. She has designed the covers of more than a dozen books published by the University Press of Mississippi and illustrated several others. She has won several major awards, including the Crystal Award of Excellence from the International Association of Business Communicators. Her work has been featured in several publications. She teaches classes for the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi and the Mississippi Museum of Art. She has been craftsman-in-residence at the Mississippi Craft, artist-in-residence at Paul Johnson State Park in Hattiesburg and Roosevelt State Park in Morton.
Brian Hill
Brian’s woodturning roots go back to his upbringing in rural Hinds County Mississippi. Growing up, everything that was needed was built. Brian’s first experience with the wood lathe was with his uncle. One of his fondest memories was making a wooden goblet from a piece of pine and working on the lathe. Understanding the importance of mentors and teachers, Brian joined the local wood turning club, Magnolia Woodturners. This decision has proved to be instrumental in his growth as an artist. Brian’s woodturning style leans towards rustic functional pieces.
Brandon MS
Wood
Member since 2023
Lil McKinnion-Hicks
Lil McKinnion-Hicks
New Orleans, LA
Metal
Jewelry
Guild member since 2006
When asked about her work, Lil says “While every piece is different, they all have one thing in common: whether you choose to wear them for a single season or several generations, they’re to be worn, lived in, and delighted every time you put them on.” Lil has studied both gold-smithing and silver-smithing at several prestigious schools and with renowned artists. Her work is currently shown in galleries in Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Rebekah Hixon
Rebekah Hixon
Madison, MS
Mixed Media
Member since 2023
Rebekah has been painting pottery for over ten years, but always wanted to make her own. Her grandmother was an artist and the way she painted on canvas amazed her. Rebekah uses a special concrete and cement blend along with different textiles and fabrics in her process to mold each item. Her inspiration is constant and in everything she sees. Rebekah believes in re-using items to them into something magical.
Holly Holton
Holly Holton
Canton, MS
Metal
Member since 2023
Holly has had an obsession with beautiful, unusual rocks for most of her life. After attending the Mississippi Gem and Mineral show in Jackson as a middle school student, she developed a love for stones. She now is the Educational Chair of the club. Holly teaches at least 2 classes a month for the Mississippi Gem and Mineral Society. Her biggest influencers are her parents and daughters. Holly says that the stones she chooses let her know what they want to be dressed in and that is how she is influenced to design.
Bobby L. Howard
Bobby L. Howard
Brandon, MS
Metal
Knives
Guild member since 1996
Bobby's work is based on traditional knives, made by knife-makers and blacksmiths, when knives were essential tools used in everyday living. His designs are his interpretation of how a knife should look, feel, and perform. He adds folk art features to some knives to make them special one of a kind. The blades are hand forged from round or flat bar stock high carbon steel. The heat source for forging is a gas or coal forge. The blades are forges on old anvils used by blacksmiths of a time gone. His welded Damascus steel knives are made by forge welding different types of steel together to develop steel with contrasting patterns as the layers are ground through. The Damascus steel blade is etched in acid to reveal the contrasting layers of steel.
Carolyn Hudson
Carolyn Hudson
Madison, MS
Fiber
Quilts
Guild member since 2011
Carolyn’s interest in the fiber arts extends back to when she was very young, but it wasn't until after becoming a nurse in her young adult life that she began to dabble with quilting. Through trial and error, she began to learn how to produce wonderful quilts. Then, in the 70's and 80's, quilting fell off due to the era of connivance mindset that began to build; however, as most things seem to do, authentic quilting made a comeback, and Carolyn got serious about her craft. Then the Highland Quilt Guild formed, allowing many quilters to get together on a regular basis and encourage each other and to share ideas. Since then, Carolyn has gone on to have a very successful career in the quilting world, winning many awards at shows in Canada and the United States.
Tom Hughes
Tom Hughes
Natchez, MS
Clay
Ceramics
Guild member since 1995
Since becoming a Christian in 1975, Tom has had a special interest in crosses. Tom moved to Natchez in 1980, and a few years later he began making crosses from the square nails that were used in building houses prior to the Civil War. These nail crosses are worn in many states and countries. Crosses have been provided for churches to use in their processionals and other similar usage. Tom also makes stoneware pottery. When he is firing or waiting on pots to dry, he makes crosses. As a mostly self-taught craftsman, Tom enjoys being a member because the Guild has not only provided an additional market for his work but has given him the opportunity to know really great people who have influenced him as a craftsman and as a person.
Joe Hunt
Having spent most of his adult life in the military and later in the business world, Joe had little time to spare to any craft. He had always, however, admired, and envied, the work of wood carving artisans. Now retired, he continues to have a strong drive in catch up in this endeavor, and his carving interests remain both realistic and voracious. He is influenced by work in both the realistic and caricature genres. Joe is motivated and inspired in both areas by his interests in history, nature and sports. During his tenure as president of the Pearl River Woodcarvers Guild, he was instrumental in developing a walking cane project for Mississippi Disabled Veterans, which carved and awarded 276 patriotically themed canes over a two year period.
Brandon, MS
Wood
Guild member since 2006
Fellow since 2016
Jennifer Hyatt
Jennifer Hyatt
Memphis, TN
Metal
Sculpture
Guild member since 2005
Storytelling is one of the most important keys to Jennifer's metal designs. Much of her art falls under the category of faces, figures, and scenes. Each of these pieces holds a story. Toys, folk tales, playing cards, and a childhood memory of surrealist paintings play an important part in her art images. Scenes from the theater, film, and details from religious icons inspire her window pieces. Mardi Gras and Carnival led her to masks and faces. Any found piece of iron becomes a challenge, a puzzle in reverse. Jennifer finds the bits and pieces, and it's up to her to discover the art within them. Jennifer has a BA in Theater and Media Arts from Rhodes College. Her early love of theater led to costume design, which in turn brought her to jewelry and then to iron.
Jerry Hymel
Jerry Hymel
Hammond, LA
Glass
Stained
Guild member since 1987
The Hymel’s unique glass creations range from angels to kaleidoscopes and windows. Their glass ornaments have been on display on the White House Christmas tree. They have been featured in a touring exhibit throughout the Southeast and were selected for the cover of the Bell South phone boon in 1993. Jerry has worked at the Mississippi Museum of Art on a community project funded by through the Ford Foundation. He also participated as artist-in-residence on a project with students from St. Richard's school in Jackson to create a 12 foot diameter mosaic. It can be seen at the school campus.