Making

Craft & Making

A 6'4" cat tree, hand-dyed forest couture, wire insects, found-object sculpture and much more.

Role: Maker
Organization: Personal Expression
Timeline: Ongoing

#Textiles
#Sculpture
#Costume Design
#Sustainable Design

Making things with my hands is one of my favorite ways to think. These projects span sewing, dyeing, sculpting, painting, woodworking, wiring and mixed media, often using found, thrifted or recycled materials.

The Cornbread Cat Tree

My most ambitious build: a 6'4" cat tree made from real tree limbs, inspired by my cat Cornbread, who loves the outdoors. It was my first project with power tools and heavy limbs, and seeing him enjoy his own indoor tree made every challenge worth it.

Found-Material Sculpture

Figures and sculptures built entirely from materials found on site. This one was made at Hoffmaster State Park, using roots to bind the pieces together.

Charity Birdhouse

A birdhouse made for a charity competition hosted at my father's workplace.

The Dinosaur Box

A last-minute fix for running out of wrapping paper right before my nephew's birthday party.

Costume Design

Costume design has been a passion since childhood. From Cher to the Pink Panther, I've explored all kinds of techniques to bring characters to life. Pictured: Cheech & Chong for a themed party, and my Cher costume for a memorable Halloween.

Forest Ensemble

A month-long build for a forest-themed event: a moss-covered parasol, matching wizard hat and coordinating outfit. I hand-dyed the yarn, sculpted polymer-clay mushrooms, color-matched the lace with fabric paint, added preserved moss throughout and installed green LEDs in the parasol for a woodland glow after dark.

Textiles & Felting

Lava-lamp appliqué patches from my early days with machine sewing, a needle-felted Venus flytrap (my first felting project), and a patchwork crewneck made entirely from recycled textiles.

The Willow Tree

An evolving mixed-media sculpture, about 2.5 ft tall and 3.5 ft wide, made from a discarded shrub mounted on a log and wrapped in braided thrifted yarn, embroidery thread, mohair and eyelash fibers. The result is a whimsical, Dr. Seuss-like willow, and I still add to it whenever inspiration strikes.

Wire & Bead Insects

My first wire-wrapping and beadwork: large decorative insects made from 20-gauge copper wire and glass beads as handmade gifts.

Lamp & Wizard Hat

A handmade lamp (my first electrical wiring project) with shades built from yard-sale finds, and a wizard hat made to match a friend's festival cloak exactly.