Guerillagranny—Sherry Ward

etsy.com/people/Guerillagranny

Though she calls herself Guerrillagranny, Sherry Ward of Maryville is never far from the influences that held sway when she was a child. She grew up in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, spending all her free time surfing and swimming in the Pacific—and was there to witness and take part in what she calls “the hippie renaissance.” Her crochet items have a bit of hippie to them, like a rainbow hat that lovingly cradles dreads, and may feature vintage doodads like buttons or jewelry. Still, her love for the “pure and lush beauty” of the Smoky Mountains has not eclipsed her childhood love of the beach, and it’s evident in such creations as these hand-crocheted, 100 percent cotton “barefoot” sandals. Says Ward: “They can be worn for weddings, beach going, belly dancing, well, the uses are endless!” Ward is a mainstay at the Mama’s Markets held the second Saturday of each month at The Birdhouse. She’s happy with being a transplant, and says, “the creativity of the people here is contagious.”

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