Eco-awareness
What I am doing and how
My artworks materials and process
I mostly use new natural fibers, such as wool, silk and flax. Some of the wool fibers that I use are organic, and all merino wool fibers are from non-mulesed sheep.
When possible I use undyed fibers in their natural colours, and experiment with natural dyes. Any dyeing and fiber processing may be harmful to the environment, but I try to limit my impact by reusing and recycling fibers and parts of other projects.
I also utilise pre-loved non-natural fibers and fabric, giving them a new and fruitful life and avoiding them going to a landfill.
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The felting process that I choose utilises a small amount of water and soap, and I often prefer organic olive oil soap for my felting. I spray my artwork with repurposed spray bottles, and sponge it with repurposed bath or kitchen sponges.
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In the process, I reuse some plastic sheets and plastic bubblewrap: they are repurposed packaging materials that I keep reusing again and again.
My felting also involves all kind of repurposed objects, often pre-loved ones that I gather around.
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Most of my felting is done by hand in the traditional way: some of my pieces are done exclusively by hand in all stages (all my carding and blending of fibers is done by hand; rubbing, felting and fulling), a few involve also a very short time (5-10 minutes) of electric tool using. I try to keep the electric tool usage to a minimum, and avoid it where possible.
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Preparing and packing my artworks
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I encourage a reduction of packaging waste by offering the option of buying my artwork un-mounted: this option uses less packaging materials. Moreover, as the resulting package weights less and is less bulky, its delivery becomes more eco-friendly.
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The mounted option offers a good compromise between eco-friendly and practical, as it weights a lot less than a whole frame, but gives the art lover a chance to immediately hang the artwork and maybe the idea that you do not need to frame it at all to enjoy it.
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I choose to offer eco-friendly packaging for all my artwork: boxes, wrapping paper, and tape are all eco-aware or eco-friendly certified.