Birch Series Project

My work here began with my research in Finland, where I was introduced to the old traditions of Finnish birch bark crafts. Its humble origins, practical applications, and familiar aesthetics reminded me of the culture of craft in the Southern Appalachians I grew up with. I spent my youth surrounded by objects my grandparents and great-grandparents made, such as hand-made brooms, baskets, and quilts. They were recreated out of necessity but, over time, were elevated into valued heirlooms embedded with stories and decorative heritage. My "Birch Bark Series" is meant to reveal a certain satisfaction of labor and the common cross-cultural values found in time spent making. Using traditional crafts as a departure point, I want to show how concepts such as preservation and heritage can reveal and elevate unintended decorative patterns in practical design.