The Thrift Shop series is part of a larger series I call Life Rings. Taking its design inspiration from the cross section of trees, Life Rings is about storytelling. Just as the rings of a tree tell the story of its life, so the concentric circles in a Life Ring tell a story through textiles. I have been a thrift store shopper for decades. Like archeological digs, thrift stores reveal information about a place and its people. When I travel both domestically and internationally, I like to visit interesting thrift stores to "dig." To discover the textiles I can use to tell their unique story. In a society consumed with consuming, through this series, I hope to shine a light on the economic and ecological value of the thrift shop. To tell their individual stories of history, mission and community through the humble medium of second hand textiles.

Poverty Resistance is a Thrift store in Casper WY. It's not a "curated" store. It's a," How about $10 for all of that" store. Nothing is priced and the organization and display is minimal but the owner, Dusty, told me he gives a lot of things away to the needy. It is also connected to a food bank . Poverty Resistance was started by local lawyer Mary Ann Budenske.