all of my life, I have been a collector. not in the traditional sense, but more sense that i am always on the lookout for a hidden treasure. maybe a treasure that others would not view as such.

when walking down a city street, beachcombing along the california coast, on a hike in the mountains, desert, or forest... my eyes are often downcast and scanning to see if I can spy a shell, a bit of moss, a rusted piece of metal. when I go to an estate sale, I tend not to see the big items, the so called desirable items .... my eyes are searching for an old cardboard box that I can pick through. a box that might contain a broken figurine, an old dented tin, or a box of vintage photographs... forgotten memories from years past.

I find great joy and pleasure in finding a use for these seemingly imperfect bits and pieces in my designs. when I am able to use the doll head that broke off of a childhood treasure.... and add it to a tiny bottle I found while treasure hunting in the desert.... such happiness. or bringing new life to a discarded scrap of an antique crazy quilt.. it's now a scarf on a quirky snowman. I like to think the artisan who painstakingly created that thing of beauty would smile to see it being loved still,, if only in a new way.

most of the items in my shop are born in just this way. by me rummaging through my collection of finds, many with imperfections, and creating something unique and beautiful. I like to think that once I have had a go at that rusty spam container found in the desert, and have added a vintage but broken parakeet figurine... most people will see how these imperfect items can come together and be some else. imperfection re-imagined.