Born in Germany, Atta grew up in a master furniture maker’s household (his grandfather’s) and was lucky to be taught the craft.

He earned a master’s degree in economics at the University of Munich, added a teaching certificate in adult education and taught in numerous community colleges in Germany, while working on a doctorate.

His life suddenly changed when his father unexpectedly died and he was needed to take over his business for some time before it could be sold favorably.

Prior to coming to the United States, Atta lived nine years in Tuscany, Italy, where he renovated historic country houses, and in turn, began his own woodworking shop, and enjoyed a large garden, a little vineyard, and 130 olive trees.

From there his path led him to Cottage Grove, Oregon, where he opened his own woodshop again, eventually specializing in doors, windows, and some custom furniture.

After a divorce, he took a job as operations manger in a small door import company in Eugene, through which he honed his operational and leadership skills. He soon designed and built as prototypes doors that were then manufactured in Indonesia to be sold on the American market.

The divorce had stirred his interest in mediation and he served as small claims mediator for the Eugene court, worked in community mediation, and for years in restorative justice mediation for the juvenile court system.

Atta had a two year stint in Vancouver, BC, where he joined his second wife, who led a class to their middle school graduation at the Vancouver Waldorf school.

From there the couple was hired by the Waldorf School of Garden City on Long Island, NY. Atta became the woodwork teacher for grades five to twelve, for which he attended the Waldorf high school teacher training at Rudolf Steiner College and many professional development courses in Germany.

Atta has taught at the Eugene Waldorf School since 2010.

In addition to living in Germany, Italy, Oregon, British Columbia and New York, Atta has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East, India, and North America.

Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors and living in the Pacific Northwest, gardening and hiking as much as possible. She grew up in Delaware and spent lots of time traveling the world after graduating from college in Virginia.

She became interested in handwork when her eldest daughter was just a babe in arms. Karen began a sewing business out of her home and quickly expanded her horizons once she learned of all the handmade toys and gifts she could create using recycled and natural materials.

She has held handwork classes for adults as well as various homeschool groups over the years. She has expanded her love of creating into a small traveling booth selling at fairs and markets in the local area.

Karen very much enjoys her work with children, sharing her inspiration to guide them to completing lovely handmade items both useful and beautiful. She lives within walking distance of EWS at her little urban farmstead.