Hi! I'm Gwendolyn Shepherd owner and creator of Studio 66 and I've enjoyed art my whole life, and one thing that helps me appreciate the art more is understanding the artist, and that's why I've decided to share my story with you all!
Born in Dodge City the values of western Kansas are still in me. Family is very
important then and now. My mother sewed everything for our home, my siblings and
me. In high school I took a variety of sewing classes including tailoring, I was going to
be a home economics teacher. I took two art classes my senior year of high school,
things changed. Ottawa University was my first experience away from home and family,
and first real introduction to theatre and the arts. The experience released the creativity
of costume design that changed my life.
Fresh out of college, a new marriage to an Air Force sergeant and a trip to Thailand
once again changed things. I joined the Air Force in 1974, medical supply offered a
new experience in office skills, management and dealing with personnel of all status.
While in the Air Force stationed in Colorado my husband and I became Coloradoans.
The mountains became our home.
As a forth generation quilter, Mtn top Quilts evolved out of a passion for quilting, art and
skiing. 1982 my husband and I purchased a house in the mountains for skiing. Six
months later our young son and I moved to Leadville and Mtn top Quilts was born. In 1983 I opened for my first summer, the shop consisted of one room in our Victorian
home, inventory consisted of my personal stash and supplies for quilting.
As the years past, my shop evolved, antiques were added, from there I went to vintage
textiles of all kinds. Old quilts, vintage fabrics, linens, laces, quilt blocks, quilt tops, and
vintage clothing filled my inventory.
Leadville was the abundant summer tourist, but business became a challenge in the
winters, a variety of creative jobs were needed: sub teaching, computer lab assistant,
theatre costumer for the front range and mountain communities, quilt seminars, classes
and shows were just a few.
2013 Mtn top Quilts will have been in business 30 years! Hiking, snowboarding, and
quilting ---- what a life.
2018 we moved to Bristow Oklahoma. I tried to continue with the Mtn. Top Quilts
concept, the passion was not there, then I began designing Art with the materials and
items from my store and stash, the passion was back.
