HANDCRAFTED CREATIONS
As a designer, I have always held up craft as one of the most relatable and meditative art forms, often embodying cultural traditions and feminine handiwork. I am always tinkering with beads, my hot glue gun, a handmade gift project, or anything else that catches my eye. Here are a few fun projects I’ve made and loved!
I sharpened my illustrator skills to laser cut this piece, then backed the plywood cutouts with gel light filters and parchment paper.
My favorite part? Crafting alongside my Savannah friends to add the color -- I could not have finished this creation without the loving contributions of others! That's part of what makes this final piece so special.
The heart recenters the message of boundless and unconditional love for humanity. The pink triangle reclaims the symbol the LGBT+ people were forced to wear while persecuted during the Holocaust. The wings represent the unending ascent, resiliency, and joy of queer people. This was designed as a set design piece for the 10th anniversary of “Blessed Fest,” started by the performers of House of Gunt, so the 10th "X" pays tribute to this moment in their local legacy.
Above are some projects that show my capabilities as a fabricator and designer: through this course I learned Rhino, illustrator, pink foam, laser cutting, 3D printing, vacuum forming, the dremmel, stationary power tools, and, earned my wood-shop certification. See the box and pen holders I designed above.
Handmade prism lightcatchers I have gifted to others. I have always loved beading, collecting shells, and rainbows, so these are a handcrafted extension of myself.
Some decorative plywood art pieces I made for Blessed Fest using a laser cutter. I had help painting these with some friends!
COSTUMES: A LIFESTYLE CHOICE.
You can’t live in New Orleans without getting into a serious relationship with your hot glue gun. I started making crowns when I moved down here and have loved pushing the envelope each year.
Being in a community with people bringing their best energy and selves is the most electrifying feeling in the world to me. I love bringing these looks out onto the street as a form of self-expression!
I wholeheartedly uphold the art of CRAFTING as a valid, transgressive, and accessible art medium, and look forward to MAKING for the rest of my days.
