Barbara Jean

 With a lifelong passion for sewing, Barbara Jean first picked up a needle at a young age under the guidance of her mother and completed her very first quilt in third grade. What began as a childhood skill quickly grew into a creative calling over the last 40 years.

In the 1990s, inspired by her children, she launched her own boutique children’s clothing line.  Designing and sewing garments that blended craftsmanship with charm, her talent and attention to detail led her to become a highly sought-after pattern tester, collaborating with numerous PDF pattern companies across the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.  An award-winning seamstress and quilter, she is also a dynamic speaker and dedicated educator.

Since 2000, she has been teaching adults, charter and homeschool students, inspiring the next generation of makers. Many of her students have gone on to successfully pursue their passions at prestigious institutions such as the Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons School of Design, and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

In 2015, after recognizing a need in her community for a place to gather, learn, and create, she founded The Creative Coop. Built on the belief that creativity thrives in connection, the Coop not only offers a welcoming space for makers, but also provides independent teachers the opportunity to share their skills and generate income with little to no overhead. Over the years, it has grown into a beloved hub for gathering, connecting, and creating.

A natural-born teacher, she brings warmth, encouragement, and a touch of humor to every class. She delights in sharing her love of sewing—and, admittedly, her ever-growing fabric collection—with her students and community. But above all, Barbara Jean’s greatest passion is each and every person who walks through her door.

Jody brings over 20 years of sewing experience to the Creative Coop, along with a love for handmade living—from quilting and crafting to canning and cooking from scratch.

She may not claim to be a perfectionist, but what truly sets her apart is her ability to teach. Jody has a gift for making things simple, approachable, and—most importantly—fun. Her classes are welcoming to all skill levels and designed to build confidence while enjoying the process.  Jody is known for her highly themed mystery quilt classes—creative, engaging, and surprisingly easy to complete for any skill level. 

She also co-leads the Homestead Kitchen classes focused on "from-scratch" cooking and canning, as well as a monthly doTERRA Make & Take class.  Each month, Jody runs a humanitarian co-op where the community comes together to create blankets for the Ronald McDonald House and the VA Hospital—bringing comfort and care to those who need it most.

 Sharna Roberson is a proud mom, wife, and “Gigi” who has called Ramona home for over 30 years. She has a deep love for creativity and enjoys sewing, quilting, cooking, and a variety of craft projects.  

Through her classes, The Homestead Kitchen, Sharna shares her passion for preserving food and cooking with real, whole ingredients. Her goal is simple: to help others live healthier, spend less, and feel confident creating meals for their families.  Known for her warm and welcoming spirit, Sharna truly is the “hostess with the mostest.” She brings people together through her favorite gatherings—especially the beloved Pajama Party nights at the Coop—fun, relaxed evenings filled with laughter, stitching, shared recipes, and community.  

Sharna also hosts a monthly Hand Stitching Club, open to all skill levels, offering approachable projects in a supportive and encouraging environment.  At her core, Sharna finds joy in connecting with others—whether around a sewing table or over a good meal. She believes creativity should always be fun, welcoming, and shared with good company.

Patriotic and Bargello Quilts, QOV 

Patty Cass, hostess and instructor at The Creative Coop, has been quilting for over 15 years and brings both experience and heart to everything she does. Her passion lies in helping others grow their quilting skills, gain confidence in color placement, and truly enjoy the creative process. 

Before joining The Creative Coop, Patty spent five years at the Crazy 9 Patch in Ramona, where she assisted customers with fabric and color selection, taught a variety of quilting classes, and hosted her popular monthly Sit-n-Sews. Her approachable teaching style and eye for color have made her a favorite among quilters of all levels.  Patty also loves the Primitve Arts and inspires others with her works of art.

A proud Ramona native, Patty is especially excited to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome new friends into the studio. She looks forward to creating, sharing, and stitching alongside the community she calls home.

 Robin’s love of sewing began at home, inspired by her mother and grandmothers, who passed down both their skills and their appreciation for the craft. She later shared that love with others as a 4-H leader, teaching sewing to youth and helping the next generation build confidence at the machine. Robin also spent many happy hours quilting with friends at Crazy Nine Patch, deepening both her skills and her joy in the quilting community. With more than 15 years of quilting experience, she is passionate about welcoming new people into the craft and helping beginners feel comfortable, capable, and excited to learn. Robin specializes in teaching beginning quilting and loves guiding students as they create their very first projects. 

 Chris Smith is the beloved husband of Creative Coop founder Barbara Jean and the behind-the-scenes wizard who keeps our technology running smoothly. Known around the studio as our “wizard of wonders" and our "did you turn it off and on" I.T. guy.

Chris has a knack for turning frustrating tech troubles into simple, manageable solutions.  He leads our Monday Night Tech Time, generously volunteering his time to help with everything from phones and laptops to emails, software updates, and downloading files to USB drives. Whether it’s a quick fix or a full-on tech puzzle, 

Chris brings patience, clarity, and a calm, steady approach to every question.  For those who need a little extra support, Chris is also available for scheduled house calls, helping tackle those tech challenges that can’t make it into the Coop.  Chris’ heart for helping others shines through in everything he does. He loves making technology feel less intimidating and more empowering — because at the end of the day, everyone deserves to feel confident clicking that “next step.”Write to Barbara Jean

Tom, lovingly referred to around the Coop as TomCat, is our in-house sewing machine service and repair specialist at the Creative Coop. With years of hands-on experience under his belt, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to every machine he touches.  

Known for his easygoing nature and friendly approach, Tom has become a favorite among our Coop “chicks.” Whether you’re bringing in a well-loved vintage machine or a semi-electronic model in need of a little TLC, Tom has the expertise to get it humming happily again.  

While TomCat works wonders on older and mid-range machines, he does not service large computerized models. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered there too with another trusted specialist!  At the heart of it all, Tom is here to keep your machines running smoothly so you can keep creating what you love.  

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