I've been creating things for years and one day I realized that I would have to do something about all the art piling up in my house! That was when I decided to open my Etsy shop.

I minored in jewelry design in college, which is where I learned to carve, sculpt and assemble my jewelery. Clothing is something I taught myself through books, lots of practice, and an imagination that wouldn't stop!

When I started making clothing I wasn't satisfied to just buy yards of new fabric because I wanted to be more Earth friendly. Upcycling was the perfect answer for me! I started 'treasure hunting' at thrift stores for the best used fabrics and soon I became an expert at finding the best quality used fabric (a mix of durable, pretty, and non-synthetic) - I could soon find a cashmere sweater in a bin of other clothes like a blood hound!

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, upcycling is essentially rescuing old clothes from being thrown out and giving them new life. It is a practice that is becoming more popular because of the attention brought to all the waste that is going on in the clothing industry. Often great quality sweaters and clothes get donated because they have a hole somewhere or a stain - and then when no one wants them they get thrown out. However, they can still be re-used because the offending part can be cut off and the rest of the good quality fabric put to use. As a good steward of the Earth I feel it is my duty to Upcycle whenever possible, so most of my clothing is made from re-used materials.

The Process:

I regularly visit lots of thrift stores to stock up on fabrics. When I bring them home all items go through a thorough wash with homemade hypoallergenic laundry soap. After they are clean they are cut and sewn together into their new awesome shape where they then wait on a hanger for their new owner. Before each item gets shipped out they get washed again (or dry cleaned depending on the item) to ensure no allergens of any kind are present.


I also have an illustrated blog about my life if you want to know more about me!: http://www.whimofwhimsicality.blogspot.com