Staff Spotlight: Lori Jones

 Each month, we highlight one of the incredible folks who make the magic happen at Austin Creative Reuse. This month, it's Reuse Specialist Lori Jones! Lori first joined us in February 2020, just in time for the pandemic shutdown! She adapted quickly and played a pivotal role in the early days of our online store. After leaving ACR for another opportunity, she quickly realized how much she missed her time here. We welcomed her back just 3 months later and she's been with us ever since! You can often find Lori at the register chatting to customers about their ideas and projects, and obsessing over all of the unique treasures that can be found at the center.Learn more about Lori below and see her tutorial on how to make an Ethereal Bat from everyday items! How did you find Austin Creative Reuse? I heard about it through the grapevine, and stopped by after so many of my thrifty friends told me how great it was. Ever since, I’ve been hopelessly addicted!  What’s your favorite part about working at ACR?I get inspired by everyone at ACR! Each person is on their own unique treasure hunt, and that’s so fun to be a part of.  Are you an artist, crafter, or maker? What mediums do you work with? I would say a mix of the 3. I will work with any medium, and my studio/bedroom reflects this! I surround myself with possibilities. Paper is my first love.  What do you do when you’re not working at ACR? If I’m not out visiting cats, or at my other job, I’m at home listening to music or podcasts, and playing with my materials.  What’s the craziest thing you found in donation mountain? This takes some thought! I’ve seen some wonders. The old photographs, documents, and vintage ephemera that come in are so special to me. I instantly go into research mode.  

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About Lori:

Lori is a self-taught artist, starting in the 80’s with collaging inside of the expired department store catalogs piled up next to her granny’s recliner. She thought that these were the only books in the world that she could cut up and use for her amusement, because the other books around the house were by Louis L’Amour. This inspired a lot of seeking. She would use any newspaper, can label, AVON packaging, or shoe box that had any potential for the little scenes she had playing out beneath the table lamp. Cut to many years later, and her frequent visits to ACR, still seeking. She loves digging through the super affordable rubber stamps, older lace and trim, doll parts, vintage crafting magazines, unique miniatures, and $1 material scrap packs (to name a few of her favorite spots). Overhearing the staff and customers excitedly talking about their projects was another big source of inspiration for her. She’s happy to be part of the everyday magic.