Elena Dickson's interests in handwork began at the age of eight, and her mother, a skilled needlewoman, fostered this talent. When Elena married, her Greek mother-in-law introduced her to the art of making knotted lace, or dandella. In 1987 she began to teach this ancient skill to members of the South Australian branch of the Australian Lace Guild and she continued to give lessons in this form of lace making.

Elena sadly passed away in 2021 and is survived by her husband and three sons.