About the Artist
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I grew up in my mother’s fabric store and learned to sew at my grandmother’s knee. From a small child I have always loved to create things out of fabric. One of my very first projects was a stuffed kitty for my sister. She slept with that kitty every night for years! I guess it planted a seed in me to keep making fun things and giving them to people.
In high school, I majored in art and nearly minored in it in college. I started making Halloween costumes for people and then branched out into making costumes for historical reenactments. This led to a love for creating wedding dresses and bridal attire. And then I fell in love with quilting! I started with traditional quilts and was struck by how so many little pieces of fabric could come together in the end to create a result greater than its parts. But I missed making garments.
A few years ago, a friend wanted me to incorporate a piece of her grandmother’s veil into her wedding dress. It was such a thrill working with her ancestral garment and helping turn it into her dream wedding dress. I began to think of what else I could do with old clothes that I could no longer wear. After a while of experimenting, I was hooked! I now scour 2nd hand stores in search of the perfect “materials” for my creations. I wash everything in hot water so everything is fresh, clean and pre-shrunk before I make any cuts. I then let the garments guide me to create the final product. For example, if a sweater has a fun row of buttons, I may decide to incorporate them into a secret pocket as part of a hood.
I love what I do because everything I make is one of a kind. I also love that my materials help guide what I end up doing with them. Sometimes I find a perfect sweater only to wash it and have it shrink to half its size. So I have to be adaptable to change with my materials. I like that! It keeps me on my toes and encourages me to stay creative. I feel like I have truly found my calling. Everything I do, I do with love and a passion for making people smile! I hope you enjoy my clothes as much as I enjoy making them.
Stay Cozy!
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