Karen-Joyce Giese-Koch began In Their Hands in 1996, searching for the most traditional art forms, after years of buying crafts for friends and family members. As an artist and craftsperson, she has always loved the work that comes from people's hands. Raised cross-culturally by Dutch-Indonesian parents in the United States, she also has had a long fascination with the traditions of others. She has a BA in anthropology, and MA in arts management.