Our Upcycled and Earth-friendly Artists

DIY Studio features the work of local artists who create with sustainability in mind. Most of the items in the gallery are made out of at least 75% reused materials with exception of bath and body products which are eco-friendly. In our gallery you will find inspiration, unique gifts, and treasures. Purchases made in the gallery support local artists as well as DIY Studio programs that promote creative reuse in the community. Here is a list of some of our fabulous artists and be sure to come in and see their work in person. We’d love to see you pop in!

Michelle Hannigan, Chrysalis ReCreations
At Chrysalis Re-Creations we believe that it is possible to produce beautiful items with very little environmental impact. Our artfully crafted products are made using primarily recycled items. In cases where recycled items are not possible, we strive to use the most environmentally friendly products available.

Matthew Mercurio, SkateBird
Everything I make is from 100% recycled skateboard decks collected from skaters, skate shops and skate parks. Thanks goes out to all skaters for constantly shredding to the point of breakage! Time is taken with each detail to ensure that I produce a unique, durable art piece for you to enjoy.

Miles and Aimee Harrison, Atomic Attic
Featured in Urban Farm magazine, Miles and Aimee Harrison turn the discarded iMacs into fabulous pet beds.

Jessika Gerondale, Rags and Bones Design
I am always playing with different materials and techniques. Mosiac, jewelry, paper, fabric, natural and found objects, I love it all. There is a common thread to all of my crafty interests and that is the use of recycled materials, or “Rags and Bones”. I love collecting these rags and bones and turning them into fun, useful, visually pleasing, everyday items. I never tire of seeing the looks on people’s faces when they connect with something I made with my own hands. Whether someone recognizes a notepad made with a page from one of their favorite childhood stories, or when they realize the journal they are holding was formerly an album cover, it makes me so happy to see them go out into the world to be used and enjoyed.

G. Jarvis Jewelry
As you can see from my shop, plastic bottle caps serve as the backdrop to what I like to think of as miniature mixed media collages. I work primarily with recycled materials such as discarded toys and trinkets or anything at all that I can find for a bargain price so I can create an affordable piece. With my bottle cap pieces I am mostly looking to evoke a bit of humor.

Sally Lang, Thankful Rose
I have become addicted to shopping for fabulous sweaters. If I am to keep collecting them, in the manner that I have become accustomed, I must create as many beautiful sweaters as possible! I am drawn to thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales and have been known to see a beautiful sweater on someone and find myself imagining how I would recreate it!

Megan Steele, Phytotherapy
I am an herbal lovin’ wife and mama lookin’ to be a good steward of the earth, family, and the life I’ve been blessed with! My cottage industry, Phytotherapy, specializes in natural and fun stuff for bath, body and home. All products are made from natural, organic and or fairly traded ingredients as well as re-purposed and recycled materials.

S. Asuten Libed,Just MetallyIll
I love Art and Science and Adventure. After tromping about in the wilds and the cities, I always drag neato odds and ends back to my nest for pondering upon, for new creations.

Wendy Stilwell, Stilwellwise
Art has been a constant in my life. I have been displaying my work since 1995 in Portland, Or. and Santa Fe, NM.

Jim Aro, Aroswoodcrafts
I have been working with wood all my life, and I love to make old-fashioned toys, keepsake boxes, and other wood items for the home. I have a small shop at home and love to get lost coming up with new ideas.  I use reclaimed Oregon cedar and oak for most of my projects and try my best to run an environmentally friendly shop. For my children’s toys, I use the safest non-toxic varnish available on the market, as well as non-toxic glues and paints.

Kara Madison, Olive Chaos
I have a passion for what I do, I love to create and I put love into every piece I make. My passion is making things from clothing, curtains, fabrics that was once loved by someone else. I love creating new iteThere is however one part of my life I like to think of as my Joyous world. This part of my life has been with me for many, many years. When I was younger I discovered my love of jewelry making. I was doing a lot of creative things back then (when my nickname was Joyous) but designing and creating wearable art using all types of materials has been my creative outlet of choice over the years.ms from pieces with a history. I’m very picky about the fabrics I use, as far as quality, texture and looking clean.

Ernie Johnson, Hilltop Workshop
Ernie enjoys using reclaimed wood for his projects because it has more character than the wood you find at big box stores. He finds most of his supplies at the Rebuild It Center in Portland, which is stocked with salvaged materials from old deconstructed buildings. His favorite finds are old rough-cut 2×4’s with square nails that date back to the turn of the century. Unfortunately, his tools don’t appreciate the nail filled wood as much as he does.

Joyce Schmaltz, Joyousworld
There is one part of my life I like to think of as my Joyous world. This part of my life has been with me for many, many years. When I was younger I discovered my love of jewelry making. I was doing a lot of creative things back then (when my nickname was Joyous) but designing and creating wearable art using all types of materials has been my creative outlet of choice over the years.  Here is an eclectic collection of romantic and feminine handmade jewelry, unique and very functional jewelry display organizers all made from upcycled, repurposed vintage picture frames.

 Autumn Davidson Hofer

 Sandra Allen, Miss Elaine Yus
Sandra Allen is a local fiber artist and rabid recycler. These hot pads are made from reclaimed yarn and 30% of the sale goes to Marion Polk Food Share.