I am a visual artist from Fort Dodge, Iowa. My interest in fashion accessories and the influence of a book artist led me to design purses from recycled books which I began doing in 2003. Soon after I had a house full of books and piles of book pages. I wanted to use as much of each book as possible and began to create necklaces, pins and magnets with the pages. In 2007 I started creating clocks with the books. I make both wall clocks and shelf/desk clocks. My favorite books are the older books and I enjoy going to garage sales and auctions in search of great books.
A few years ago I started creating 2D work on the pages. Sometimes I create other items from the books and book pages including belts and shelves, tablet cases and desk accessories.
My newest book project has been combining copper wire and resin to create necklace pendants.
I enjoy disassembling and reassembling items into something new. My main focus is books but I also create other recycled items from old sweaters and other objects and material I may find interesting, I do these mostly for myself but occasionally sell some of these items.
I do also work full time in online sales, online sales training and web ad design. I have a BFA from Iowa State University and have also worked as a museum educator at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
I still enjoy teaching an art class at local shops, museums and galleries when time allows. I have taught both children and adults in a variety of mediums.