All of my work is unique and one-of-a-kind, mostly upcycled from discarded and thrifted materials. My inspiration is always shifting, but my work tends toward a whimsical aesthetic and characters that make people smile. In addition to my decorative and lovable textile art, I also make folksy knitted garments and silly pottery.
In 2024, I stepped away from my decade-long career as an elementary teacher to pursue my art full time, seeking different ways of connecting with my local community while nurturing my creativity. I embrace tiny-living in an adorable converted garden shed filled with houseplants and art supplies, surrounded by an abundant garden and an wonderfully affectionate cat named Jack.
The drive to create things has been alive in me for as long as I can remember. Over the years I have moved through many creative phases, (some of which I turned into businesses), including pottery, fiber arts, paper crafts, cooking, painting, drawing, and lots more!
Early entrepreneurial shenanigans, selling handmade jewelry at the farmers market. Age 7 maybe? Circa mid 1990's in the local newspaper 😁
I've always let my inspiration be my guide, and love the freedom in refusing to define what it is that I make. Over the years, I've created several small businesses and side hustles, and while they were successful from a business perspective, over time I would lose my desire to create, and lose my joyful spark to the hamster wheel of productivity, efficiency, and marketing.
With Whimsy Nest, I’m attempting to do something different. I am now striving to create a sustainable business (both in terms of my energy and my environmental impact) without the hustle, that supports natural ebbs and flows of my creative energy, fosters connection with local community, and is net positive for humans, local ecosystems, and Mama Earth.
Values
Whimsy Nest is a values-driven business, with the following heartfelt intentions:
Creativity Over Productivity ✨
Creativity is mysterious, magical, and messy. It requires cycles of inspiration, productivity and rest, which never seem to line up with the output needed to meet work deadlines. In setting up Whimsy Nest, I wanted to create spacious conditions for creativity to flourish, which means leaning into creative ebbs and flows without applying any pressure. Sometimes I might have a frenzy of activity and inspiration and produce a lot at once, and sometimes I might want to focus on something else in life and take a break for a while. I make no promises about when, what, or how I create, my only commitment is to holding space in my life to keep the channels for creativity open and flowing.
Sustainability 🌎
Fast fashion and the textile industry has a massive environmental impact. It is the second biggest consumer of water and responsible for 10% of global CO2 emissions. I aim to create art sustainably and resourcefully by doing my best to never buy anything new, and use what I already have or source materials from what's already around. I do this by upcycling discarded items, sharing resources with friends and neighbors (I love my local buy nothing group), buying materials used from local second-hand stores, and supporting waste diversion organizations like our wonderful Ragfinery.
Slow, Quality Handwork 🪡
I value things that are made slowly, and with quality and care. If you've ever tried to sit down and make a garment, you know that there's no ethical way to produce an item of clothing or stuffed animal for less than $15. Everything that is sewn is sewn by a person, (sewing machines don't run themselves) and the only way to do this is by exploiting human labor. Returning to an appreciation of well-made, handcrafted goods means divesting from unethical and environmentally destructive industries, and putting dollars toward small makers, and valuing their goods at a higher price point than whatever you can get made in china from wherever.com. Also, things made with heart and loving hands just FEEL good. Everybody wins. Except the evil corporations, but that's ok.
Connecting Community 💖
I regularly try to ask myself: how can the things I create offer joy, connection, and benefit to those around me? One way I’ve found that my art can be of service is through trades and exchanges with other makers and local businesses in a way that builds relationships and encourages a resilient, thriving, supportive community. I hope to soon lead workshops and classes for all ages! Hop on my e-mail list to be the first to know when these get off the ground!