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  Recycling and composting are great ways to divert waste from landfills and turn those materials into valuable resources. Reducing the amount of waste you produce, including reuse, is an even better way to keep solid waste out of methane-producing landfills. Conscientious choices when shopping like choosing products without a lot of packaging, buying locally, and even bringing your own bags, are a few other ways to reduce waste. Shopping at reuse centers is another excellent way to keep useful materials in the consumer stream and out of landfills.   Creative reuse centers around the globe are enabling communities to...

Selling handmade products online brings many challenges, one of the greatest being product photography. Not only do you need to be expert in your craft, you need to be skilled at photographing your product in order to represent it accurately to buyers through the pictures in the listing. Over the years I have incorporated the town of Montclair into my product shots to show my connection to the community to buyers from around the world. My favorite models have been my daughter and her friends, their energy is contagious and the photos I took with them are among my favorite....

As I look back on my work over the years, I can't ignore one thing that has stayed constant- my use of text as a design element. In high school and college my fine art included handwritten poems or random text, smudged but readable, working with shapes and color, to create the final image. My professional work became product-based, but the materials I use, mostly vintage where possible- sewing patterns, cardboard packaging, vinyl banners, calendar tea towels- enable my love of text. I draw inspiration from artists like Margaret Kilgallen, who loved graffiti and folk art, and Sister Corita Kent,...

Last Saturday it was warm and sunny and perfect for spending the day on Walnut Street vending at the latest Pop-Up Artisan Market! I debuted new Tshirt Back Packs and sold my favorite one first! Several friends brought me materials like vinyl banners, tshirts, and books and for that I'm so grateful! The Human Needs Food Pantry also benefited from many great donations to their school supplies drive. Thanks to everyone who came by and made it a great day!

This Saturday, 8/20, I will be back at the Montclair Pop-Up Artisan Market and I'm really excited to debut brand new Tshirt back packs!    Well-loved Tshirts are fair game and each one features a patch created from another Tshirt. Even the rope straps are made from double wide Tshirt yarn that I make from the bottom of the shirts. I'll also be selling my funny zipper pouches, pretty paper garlands, and cool vintage books and textiles! Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!