Bio - Pandora's Locks

Ellen (pictured on the right) was first inspired to learn the art of hairbraiding in the fall of 1996 after meeting her mentor, Gayle French, at the Michigan Renaissance Festival. At the time she was touring with her former husband, swordswallower Geoffrey Cobb, and their two children.

Gayle (pictured left) and her partners, Cindy Myers, Melanie Mundy, Joann Hoffman and Patty Bayers were pioneers in the field of braiding and had formed the cooperative Twisted Sisters in the early 80s.

Ellen soon entered in to apprenticeship with Raychel Potter, the protege of Melanie Mundy. Two years of rigorous study and constant practice were only the beginning of a beautiful career.

Created the hairstyles for the dancers of the Tartan Terrors Ceilidh Highland Fling in Ontario Canada, 1999.

Created the bridal hairstyle for Valeria Fox on the occasion of her marriage to swordswallower Johnny Fox, October 2002.

North Carolina Renaissance Festival, near Charlotte, NC.
Virginia Renaissance Festival in Fredericksburg, VA.
Maryland Renaissance Festival in Annapolis, MD.
Great Lakes Medieval Fair in Geneva, OH.
Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Largo, FL.
Pittsburg Renaissance Festival in Pittsburg, PA.
Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, MI.
Arizona Renaissance Festival, near Phoenix, AZ.
Georgia Renaissance Festival, near Atlanta, GA.
Sarasota Medieval Fair in Sarasota, FL.
Florida Renaissance Festival, near Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Alachua Dickens Festival in Alachua, FL.
Blackbeard Pirate Festival in Hampton, VA.
Vizcaya Italian Renaissance Festival in Miami, FL.
New Jersey Renaissance Kingdom near New York, NY
Hialeah Italian Renaissance in Miami, FL.
Fort Myers Medieval Faire in Ft. Myers, FL.
Lee Island Pirate Days in Ft. Myers, FL.
Spoutwood Farm Fairie Festival in Glen Rock, PA.
Maryland Faerie Festival in Upper Marlboro, MD.
Endless Mountains Medieval Faire in Wilkes Barre, PA.
Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire near Orlando, FL.

In 2003 Ellen made a trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore MD and was an instant hit, braiding the hair of the lovely ladies who train the dolphins!

In 2005 Ellen braided for Joe Mackenzie of Clann an Drumma.