MULARI, Mary 1947-

PERSONAL:

Born October 6, 1947, in Biwabik, MN; daughter of Arvid J. (an entrepreneur) and Helmi (a nurse; maiden name, Peramaki) Koski; married Barry Mulari, August 10, 1972 (marriage ended, March 27, 2002). Education: University of Minnesota—Duluth, B.S., 1970. Religion: Lutheran. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, sewing, walking.

ADDRESSES:

Home—731 Maple Dr., Aurora, MN 55705. Office—P.O. Box 87, Aurora, MN 55705; fax: 218-229-2533. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

High school English teacher in Benson, MN, 1970-71; junior high school teacher of English and reading in Forest Lake, MN, 1971-73, and Aurora, MN, 1974-76; Barry's Up North (retail business), Aurora, MN, owner, 1973-96; writer, 1996—. Guest on the public television program Sewing with Nancy; presenter of sewing seminars. Community School Arts Board, member, 1979—; member of Aurora Chamber of Commerce; past board member and president of Aurora's public library.

WRITINGS:

Travel Gear and Gifts to Make, privately printed, 1993.

Sweatshirts with Style, Chilton Book Co., 1993.

Garments with Style, Chilton Book Co., 1995.

More Sweatshirts with Style, Chilton Book Co., 1996.

Appliques with Style, Krause Publications (Iola, WI), 1998.

Denim and Chambray with Style, Krause Publications (Iola, WI), 1999.

Mary Mulari's Accessories with Style: Quick and Clever Sewing Projects to Wear and Carry, Krause Publications (Iola, WI), 2000.

Made for Travel: 50 Easy-Sew Gifts and Accessories for Everyday Trips and Special Journeys, Krause Publications (Iola, WI), 2002.

(With Gail Brown) Simply Napkins, Krause Publications (Iola, WI), in press.

Author of several other books, all privately printed.

SIDELIGHTS:

Mary Mulari told CA: "The decision to write a sewing how-to book happened after I taught a community education class on decorating sweatshirts. I wrote my own instruction pages and then realized a book was there in my handouts to students. I self-published 300 spiral-bound books. I decided I could burn them in the wood stove to heat my home if I couldn't sell them. I never had to do that. My students were the first customers—no more free handouts! Then a classified advertisement in Sew News magazine spread my sales into a national base. My books were featured on the television program Sewing with Nancy, broadcast by the Public Broadcasting Service, and I appeared as a guest on the show.

"After self-publishing nine books, I decided to write for a publisher to extend marketing and sales opportunities. I continue to present sewing seminars to groups all over the United States, and this also promotes book sales.

"I enjoy writing easy-to-understand instructions so my readers can have success with the projects I present."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Library Journal, August, 2000, Janice Zlendich, review of Denim and Chambray with Style, p. 100; April 15, 2001, Janice Zlendich, review of Mary Mulari's Accessories with Style: Quick and Clever Sewing Projects to Wear and Carry, p. 90; April 15, 2002, Janice Zlendich, review of Made for Travel: 50 Easy-Sew First and Accessories for Everyday Trips and Special Journeys, p. 83.