I always enjoyed both the act of designing and working with my hands. After I graduated from the Boston Architectural College in the early '80s, I pursued a 25-year career with the Hamilton County Building Department in Cincinnati, first as a Building Inspector and then as a Plans Examiner.
I’ve been making kaleidoscopes for 7 years. This is my first Avant-Garde Art & Craft show I will be attending. What inspires me to create is my love for designing, drawing up plans, and then working with my hands.
I joined a wood workshop at the Essex Studios in Cincinnati several years ago. My approach is to brainstorm on designs (I sometimes find I’m dreaming while asleep about different designs) and then sketch out my ideas on paper. I make the scopes from various fine woods and create the structures on a lathe. Then I meticulously assemble mirrors, colored glass, and the other elements (such as resin balls) by hand.
I also relish making beautiful products that people can enjoy viewing just for the craftsmanship.
What inspires me to do these all natural deodorants is my sense of smell with my sensory differences because of my Autism. What inspired me to create these was that I subscribed to a YouTube channel that is based on scents such as soaps and candles and she had made deodorant! I really wanted to try it and it worked out perfectly!
I see myself in the next 5 years owning my business in a shop and employing people with disabilities. My message to other people is if you have a disability then please start a small business! You will never be unemployed and you will have a fanbase of people!
That early love for creativity has stayed with me and naturally evolved into the wearable art pieces I create today.
This upcoming show will be my fifth Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show, and I truly enjoy participating in them. The events bring together such a wonderful community of artists and shoppers who appreciate handmade work and creative expression.
It’s always inspiring to be surrounded by so many talented creators and people who value unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. I find inspiration in so many places — nature, textures, color combinations, vintage materials, and even small everyday details that others might overlook. I’ve also always admired Impressionist artists like Monet and Seurat. Their ability to capture light, color, and emotion rather than rigid detail has always resonated with me. Maybe it’s also my Aquarius nature, but I believe strongly in surrounding ourselves with creativity, positive energy, and good vibes.
My creative journey really began with a simple love of making things. I started exploring different types of crafts like handmade signs, wreaths, button art, painted wooden shapes, and decorative garden pieces designed to catch the sunlight and sparkle among plants.
Each project allowed me to experiment with materials and design, and over time my creativity began evolving toward wearable art. I think my talent developed through curiosity and experimentation. I’ve always enjoyed mixing materials and exploring new ideas to see what might emerge.
Eventually I realized I was especially drawn to creating things people could wear — pieces that become part of someone’s personal style and expression. That realization is what led me toward wearable art.
My creative process is very organic and intuitive. I usually begin with a base piece — a hat, textile, or repurposed material — and start exploring how colors, textures, and shapes interact.
I layer materials gradually until the piece feels balanced and complete. No two designs ever develop the same way, which is why each piece ends up being truly one of a kind.
I hope to continue growing Hang Onto Joy while staying true to the handmade and artistic nature of the work. I would love to participate in more art events, expand my collections, and continue creating unique wearable pieces that help people express their individuality. My goal is to keep evolving creatively while sharing joy through the pieces I make.
The message behind my work is simple: hold onto the things that bring you joy.Life moves quickly, and I believe creativity, color, and self-expression can bring moments of happiness into everyday life. My hope is that when someone wears one of my pieces, it makes them feel confident, expressive, and joyful.
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