Bleh to Better started as a personal mantra I used to get through life's mundane stresses. When friends or family asked how I was, I'd often say, "Oh, you know, I'm going from bleh to better. Over time, the phrase became a practice to see potential in myself and my work. That perspective overflowed into the potential I could see in my surrounding environment. Most of what I work with I find on the sidewalks of my Brooklyn neighborhood, and I'm constantly asking myself, "What could I turn this into?"
Recovered Hardback Books
Created using discarded paper back books, book cloth, heat transfer vinyl, and other bookbinding materials. Each cover is handmade and a custom design.
Flower Bouquet Totes
Created using deconstructed, reusable plastic grocery tote bags, cotton thread and permanent vinyl. Each bag is handmade and sanitized before sold.
It brings me joy to give discarded objects a new life and turn them into something worth keeping. I've always liked donating things I no longer need, and that habit has shown me how easy it is to accumulate a lot of stuff. I don't like seeing useful items casually dismissed or thrown away. It's such a waste of clear potential. Just because something is bleh doesn't mean it can't be better with a little TLC.
These projects are a small part of my art practice. Making an art piece takes time, and these projects are my palette cleanser in between. I get to flex my crafting and graphic design skills while making something that can be loved by someone.