Mary Hertert first came to Alaska in 1991 as a (younger) computer applications trainer and educator. She started quilting in 1992 and by 1997 discovered that in order to quilt the pieces she had in her head she needed to start making her own fabric.

True to educator style—Mary invited friends in to make a mess of the kitchen, experiment with wax and dyes and generally help her "break" the system. As is with most things—more people can make a wider variety of mistakes than one person can so a lot was learned in a short period of time. Mary invited some co-workers over to paint on silk and found that the guys would not leave. She thought about it and watched and then asked if they would be willing to pay to paint. "Well, heck yes!"

With that incentive, 6 months, some research and a loan opened up Color Creek-Fiber Art in September 1997. Since that time the equivalent of several thousand people of all ages and backgrounds have been exposed to the wonders of putting dye on fabric.

Mary leaves artwork in Alaska at the Alaska Fiber Festival where it will be on display through each of the festivals; at the Providence Medical Center in Anchorage—Children's Hospital and the new Cancer Wing; at Wonderpark Elementary and in private collections.

Mary left Alaska in April 2011 for Fruita, Colorado where she expects to continue her tradition of inviting everyone who wishes to dip their fingers into the Color Creek experience.