"I love a good charity shop..."

“I love a good charity shop, especially when I’m travelling. When I’m going to cold places, I take nothing — just underwear. On my way from the airport, I ask the driver to take me to a good charity shop, and I buy boots, socks, trousers, jumpers, sweaters, hats and scarves — usually for £30 … (about $40 US ) On the way back to the airport, I have it all in a big bag and drop it off at another charity shop.” —Helen Mirren The Sunday Express, August 2010

This is my kind of woman! I also love to head to "charity" or thrift shops when I travel. They're like archeological digs. They give you clues to the region you are visiting and you never know what treasures you'll find for mere pennies or shillings!

Thrifts are my primary "art supply" stores. They are bursting with the colors, textures and patterns I need to create my work. I started the Thrift Life Ring Series as a way to delve deeper into the stories, the people and the missions connected to individual shops. Research, interviews and the textiles purchased from each store layer together to tell stories through textiles. To date I have made Rings for three thrift stores. They are currently on exhibition at the Laramie County Library till February 14th 2021. Stay tuned for details on each!