create, repurpose, recycle, reuse
I am one of many crafters in my family. My mom was an artist her entire life until she lost her sight. She really is my inspiration. She struggled raising 7 children on her own (one of which has severe disabilities) after she and my dad divorced. The first year was the hardest and all she ever knew was raising kids. She resorted to using her God given ability to make ends meet. She started with making salt/flour Christmas ornaments. She debuted them at her first craft fair and they were a hit. When her customers asked her what they were called the only thing she could think of was to call them "tree squeaks". As a small child she was the only girl and wanted desperately to play with her brothers. They did not want to play with her so they told her to listen real close and that little squeak you hear in the trees is a furry little creature. Then they said "go find it for us". My mom never found one but she spent a lot of time in the trees which is where she sketched, painted, read and dreamed. She and her tree squeaks are my inspiration for my shop and the beauty I try to find in everything. That is why when I had a tornado come through my neighborhood and all the fallen trees were being chipped up and burned, I had to find a more positive use. I reclaimed the wood, hand cut it, sanded it and have tried to find its beauty and purpose. The Tree squeak legend lives on!