Betty Ford-Smith began making Pine Cone Quilts in 2004 under the apprenticeship of Miss Sue (Arlene Dennis), a 92-year-old African American woman in Sebring, Florida. She learned from Miss Sue for six years, during which she completed two quilts. After Miss Sue's passing in 2010, Betty went on to share the art form through lectures, exhibits, classes, museums, and consumer shows. Her quilts have been widely exhibited; some are held in private collections. Betty has taught the art of the pinecone quilt to students one-on-one as she was taught and in larger classes as far afield as France. Betty earned a Bachelor's Degree in Art, Dance, Music, and Drama from Bard College, a Master's Degree in Special Education from the State University of New Paltz, and a Master's in Educational Administration from the State University of South Carolina. pineconequilts.com