Scrappy Projects :)
In my practice, I try to use scraps and offcuts from other projects to minimize material waste, something that I learned growing up in Tete, Mozambique, a place where every bit of useable material was precious. As a child, I often stopped to gaze at the colorful animals and figurines that local craftspeople sold on the side of the road. Most were made from old sandals, soda cans, chips bags, or carved from soapstone, things that many people in America would consider trash. This inspires me to take nothing for granted, doing all I can to create mindfully, sustainably, and ethically.
A Partnership Built on Scraps (2022)
As I watched Oak bands for baskets that had minor defects in them being snapped in half and thrown away I wondered why they couldn't be used for something else. After fishing the pieces out of the trash cans I started to turn them into organic shapes that I imagined hanging from some sort of structure. When a couple of oak bands that had already been glued up turned out to be defective, I was asked if I wanted them. With these bands I continued to collect and hang the organic oak pieces. A year later, I was in a sculpture class and decided to finish this project as my final assignment. As the hanging form began to take shape, it was clear that the sculpture needed to incorporate movement, leading me to create an armature that allowed it to spin when wound and unwound. To see a video of the sculpture in action, follow the link attached to the first image.
A Scarf for Mom (2022)
The first project I warped my loom for was this scarf for my Mom made with some yarn that she hadn't been able to use for other projects and yarn that the weaving department was getting rid of. It reminds me of the beach in Cape Town that is right across the road from my parents house. On windy days the waves rise and crash in rapid succession creating a foamy blue and white sea speckled with surfers.
Broomcorn Backrest Chair (2023)
Out of a desire to use broomcorn scraps from the broom shop, this chair design came to be. The colors and texture of the broomcorn liven up the solid wood chair and a small amount of cushioning to the back.
Rag Rugs (2023)
This project stemmed from my abundance of fabric scraps, most of which were gifted to me with the loom. Growing up we always had rag rugs in our house made by local craftspeople. My Mom would go out to the market, find the rugmakers, and pick out a few with the best colors. Having these rugs in my college apartment makes it feel like a real home.