Lucy Bottcher

Folkcraft: How long have you been playing the dulcimer?

Lucy: I got my first dulcimer about 35 years ago, but I didn’t really start playing until I retired 3 ½ years ago.

Folkcraft: When did you get your first Folkcraft dulcimer?

Lucy: I got my first Folkcraft dulcimer used from Reverb about 3 years ago. My favorite Folkcraft is the one I’m holding in the picture. It was custom-made by Richard Ash out of black walnut from a beloved old tree in our yard that died and had to be removed. If you look closely, you can see the walnut leaf sound holes that Richard and I designed together.

Folkcraft: Where do you enjoy playing your dulcimer?

Lucy: The only time I’ve ever played with others was at the Dulcimer Week at the Wallowas in Oregon last June.  Normally I just play on my own.  I have my dulcimers within reach, and a table set up with my music out, so it’s handy and I play pretty much every day.

Folkcraft: What other hobbies, or interests, do you have besides playing the dulcimer?

Lucy: I do lots of dogsledding with my malamutes here in Washington state.  I also volunteer with the Wenatchee-Entiat Beaver Project where we work on stream habitat restoration and beaver relocation.