Joan was an analytical chemist at a national laboratory in California. In her spare time she designs counted cross-stitch and blackwork needlework. Joan started designing counted cross-stitch in 1978 when she could not find designs she was interested in stitching. Since then she has sold over 100 designs to magazine and leaflet publishers, and kit manufacturers. She also sells more than 50 of her designs through her own company XYZZX Creations to consumers, retail and gift stores.

A highlight of Joan's needlework designing career occurred in 1985 when she and her dinosaur designs were featured in the newly created magazine "CrossStitch & Country Crafts" published by Craftways.The magazine is now called "Cross Stitch & Needlework" and is published by Meredith Corporation.

Joan specializes in flowers, animals, and landmarks. Her designs are in leaflets by Annie Designs, Aggie"J" Originals, Jessa Needlecrafts International, Susan Randolph Needlework, and June Crafts. Victorian Treasures, The CrossStitcher, Cross Stitch! Magazine, Just CrossStitch, Needlecraft for Today, Decorating and Craft Ideas, and McCall's Creative Crafts magazines have featurered her designs. She has also sold designs to The Needlecraft Shop for their Cross Stitch Collector's Series.