Plastic Coral Reef

Hello, Blog Readers!

It feels good to finish a project.  I've been working on my plastic coral reef for some time, crocheting elements and then hand-sewing each one to the base "ocean."  

  

I included various forms of colorful anemone, coral, sponge, tube fish and seaweed in my coral reef.  Each part was crocheted with yarn made from single-use plastic bags.  I collected bags from Walmart, IKEA, The New York Times, Bishop's Farm Market and Big Y, among others.  

In designing this piece, my goal was to raise awareness of the health of the coral reef by highlighting the connection between human activity and the future of the reefs.  

I hope you enjoy taking a look at it.

Plastic Coral Reef

 

Plastic Coral Reef Detail

Plastic Coral Reef Detail

Please help protect our oceans.  Dispose of your plastic bags properly.  Better yet, take your own reusable bags and refuse the plastic.

Earth Day is Everyday!

Marsha 

  

Thinking Ahead to Earth Day 2018

Dear Blog Readers,

I've been thinking a lot about planet earth lately.

Earth Day 2018 is on Sunday, April 22nd, but if you think about it, Earth Day is Every Day.  Each of us is connected to earth, and earth deserves our care and respect every day, not just one day a year.

One way to respect earth is to minimize the amount of plastic pollution we create. 

Each year, Americans use 380 billion plastic shopping bags.  It’s estimated that only 5% of these are recycled.  They end up in oceans where turtles, albatross and other sea creatures mistake them for jellyfish. 

Over the years, I've collected plastic shopping bags from neighbors, family, and even strangers.  I use the bags to create works that comment on our over-consumptive society, where everything is short-lived and throwaway.

I'm currently working on several small pieces that will eventually connect to a larger work.  Here are some images:

Sea Anemone

Various Sea Anemone

Brain Coral

Sea Star

Each of us has a responsibility to think about our personal choices when it comes to saving our planet for future generations.  Because while it takes a short amount of time to accept the plastic bag our groceries come in, it takes a long time – maybe forever – for the plastic to disappear.

Please do your part.  Earth thanks you.

Happy Spring!

Marsha

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello!

I had so much fun designing and making a series of wall hangings especially for Valentine's Day.  I used mostly upcycled materials and chose colors inspired by the theme of LOVE - reds, pinks, and oranges.

The reception, held last week at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center in Middletown, CT, was lovely.  I met lots of creative people and enjoyed a cold evening inside a warm, cozy inviting space.  Here are some pics:

Thanks for stopping by to take a look!

Have a lovely day,

Marsha