I didn't know that at first, when I started DIGS, I was practicing design and architecture after studying it in school. I was in my twenties, fascinated with materials and how we made things. I was living in New York City in the 80's. Time off, I apprenticed at welding studios, learned from artists to slump glass, cast metal and so on...I traded drafting for time in the shop ( I'll tell you about the scrap metal shop and the Sesna, a bit later). I was obsessed with making things, some ideas would come to me in my sleep other I labored over. I made one off's of art furniture mostly from found objects and scrap. Slowly I began to see the thread, the link.
Through my art and designs, I was always trying to fix something in society, clearly seeing a better way without hesitation to obstacles (definitely a sign of youth).
Over time, that process led me on an international quest, working with many non-profits in-country, who had similar missions but whose business models and lasting impact were sometimes hard to quantify.
I was longing and hoping to build a positive force, an international community of like-minded spirits where we could commune over many issues we face, collectively and individually as consumers and as professionals in the home decor sector.
As a woman and mother, that feeling only intensified when my son was diagnosed with sensory delays, committing us to intensive therapies, evaluations, specialists and, lifestyle changes. The desire to challenge the norm, to take charge, to look at our role as designers and producers within the context of sustainability and now health. Through that multi-faceted prism, how fair-trade and ecological philosophies could work hand in hand to improve...all in the hopes of living and finding a better way. What do I mean by a better way? Simply, through my choices, our choices, I hope to create a more sustainable, healthier way of going about things. Creating impact slowly like a ripple effect eventually turning the tide. I'd like to actively assist in building a sustainable methodology that works hand in hand with other socially sustainable methods is medicine and agriculture to eventually alleviate hardship and hunger in less fortunate areas. I'd like to actively assist in preserving regional identity through sustaining and encouraging handicraft, bridging the gap between design and the hand-made. As a family and business, we would like to consume less destructive stuff and consume more natural, local products or products that benefit the planet and its people, by using organic materials when possible, questioning functionality vs. beauty vs. convenience vs. sustainability vs. good business sense. Back then, they called it a Tall Order, they said I was idealistic artist type, today they call this social enterprise, back then it seemed anathema to "good business" today de rigueur with some of the top businesses espousing these values.
Twenty years later, the confluence of timing my personal life, a dash of zeitgeist and a whole lot of work on many folks parts internationally and, voila: www.DIGS.COM and DIGS Dirt, places where we can dig up ideas and share thoughts, inspirations and experiences on the lifestyles we lead, necessities and frivolities, choices we make, rant about those decisions made for us, while musing and digging for the nuggets of buried treasure in all our lives...hopefully, having fun, learning and supporting each other along the way.
Come join me in the sandbox and let's dig together for life's buried treasures, those moments of satisfaction derived from doing something you love, sharing your talents and exchanging ideas in an equitable respectful place, all while building something sustainable. Hopefully enabling us to pass the baton or dare I say shovel onto generations to come.