Sustainable Crafts

The recuperation, repair and reuse of damaged objects represent core, cherished values inherent in the Japanese philosophy of "Mottainai". Instead of the impulse to discard objects that, over time, become damaged or worn, effort is given to repairing and mending. Doing so leads us to recognize, respect and value what is damaged and scarred, vulnerable and imperfect, in ourselves, each other, and in the everyday objects we use. A few areas of focus in my work include: Kintsugi (pottery repair); Ikkanbari (basket repair); and Sashiko (Boro stitching, mending/darning, reinforcing).