Faculty Research Grant
I applied for and received a Faculty Research Grant through UWL in hopes of creating a "K'nex Set" of aluminum trusses which could be used to support stock Triscuits. Work is still in progress on this project. You can read all about the entire project by clicking here:
Women's Workwear
While pregnant with my son and running the shop as the Assistant Technical Director in 2015, I realized just how insufficient clothing options were for women working in any hands-on industry (pregnant or not). There were no maternity clothes that would allow to me safely continue working, so I used my background in costume design & construction to create a very crude pair of maternity overalls. They helped me through the pregnancy and inspired me to think more about the ways in which women's clothing could be improved: bigger pockets, natural materials, durable, and fashionable (but without always being pink). I have presented my ideas and organized a panel session on the topic at our campus's annual Creative Imperatives festival in order to spark discussion in the community. Though I have created a few basic prototypes, nothing is ready to show yet. I plan to recommence these efforts within the next two years.