In 1996, Nikki McClure made her first papercut for the book Apple. She has been creating papercut artwork ever since. She splits her time between making a yearly calendar and making children's books. In the summer, she becomes a full-time berry picker—that is, when she's not watching birds, hanging out with moss, and swimming in the Salish Sea. McClure shows her artwork at Land Gallery in Portland every November, as well as at shows internationally. McClure lives in Olympia, Washington, with her husband and son under cedar trees along the eastern shore of the southern Salish Sea. She is also the author of The First 1000 Days, The Next 1000 Days and Embrace.