Where it all Began.
It all started the summer before my senior year of high school. I found myself at a crossroads, needing to decide what direction I wanted to take my AP Art Portfolio. For the class, I needed to create one art piece per week—quick pace, quick turnaround—and the pressure was on to keep things fresh and exciting. That’s when inspiration struck: I decided to step outside of the traditional boundaries and focus on wearable art. But the idea didn’t just come out of nowhere.
Looking back, I can see how my mom’s experimentation with repurposed materials in her mosaics had an influence on me. Watching her turn discarded items into beautiful, meaningful works of art sparked something in me. At the same time, I was surrounded by a talented senior art class, and while I felt inspired, I also found it hard to think outside the box with the constant critiques from my peers. I wanted to do something unique—something I could make my own.
That’s when I decided to create a collection of wearable clothing. I had a passion for project-based assignments, and I knew this was a big undertaking. To start, I set a few boundaries for myself. Each garment had to incorporate at least one unconventional material, and I was determined not to use something like duct tape—others had done that before, and I wanted to try something new and fresh. I scoured my house for discarded materials—old fabrics, forgotten items—and slowly, the pieces began to come together.
It wasn’t just an undertaking for me, though. My art teacher, Angie Szabo, was incredibly supportive, even though I was the first student at Fort Atkinson High School to attempt a 3D Art Portfolio. Since our school had a small student body of only about 500, there weren’t many 3D art classes, but I have to say, for the size of the school, the art department was one of the strongest. Angie offered me not only the support I needed but also powerful, constructive criticism that helped me grow as an artist and push my boundaries. Without her guidance, I wouldn’t have been able to dive into the world of clothing design as confidently as I did.
My senior year became a whirlwind of late nights spent working with my dress forms while binge-watching my favorite show, "Merlin." It was a challenging yet exhilarating time, and come Monday mornings, I’d be the only student rolling into school with a dress form in tow, ready to present my art for critiques. It wasn’t easy, but it was this intense period of learning and creating that set me on the path to where I am now with SJWHandmade.
It’s funny to think about how all those late-night sewing sessions and creative challenges led me to where I am today—crafting wearable, upcycled art that tells a story. I look back with gratitude at that time, because it truly shaped the artist I am now and set the foundation for my business.
