Artist Spotlight: Chelsea Smith

Every month, we highlight one of the amazing artists in our reuse community. This month, ACR has the privilege of spotlighting Chelsea Smith, who uses scrap yarn to crochet colorful and dynamic scrapghans and leftover embroidery thread to make fandom and nature-inspired embroideries. One of her scrapghans is currently on display in our Reuse Art Gallery! Check it out next time you’re in the center and learn more about Chelsea and how using secondhand materials inspires her creativity in this interview!

When did you learn to crochet and how did you start using recycled materials in your fiber art?

I learned during Hurricane Rita. With no power and the suggestion of one of my mom’s friends that I switch from knitting to crochet. Not long after, I grew aware of how much waste my projects produced and started playing around with tying the scraps together to create projects with them.

Do you have other creative hobbies?

So many! Painting, embroidery, resin casting, and I also love to dabble in sewing, sculpting, and all sorts of other things. When not doing these I’m also an author!

Which aspect of creating is your favorite?

I think planning out an idea is the most exciting part.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I draw a lot from nature and fandoms.

What is your preferred way to engage with your audience?

I’ve been engaged heavily in fandom since I was a teen, so I love seeing the joy in someone who’s seen theirs reflected in one of my pieces.

How does reuse play a part in your creativity?

I try to find ways to reuse scraps and bits that might otherwise go in the trash and, in the case of my costumes, prefer to actively make pieces from scraps and remnants.

Do you ever donate materials to ACR? If so, what compels you to donate?

I hate waste but recognize I don’t have the time or means to use everything I’ve acquired, so I love being able to donate when I can.

Do you have a favorite ACR find? How did you use it?

There are so many cool things from over the years. I think my luckiest find was a black Viking tunic cosplay piece that fit me perfectly!

Where can we find out more about your work?

I post my recent projects pretty regularly on my instagram, @seeemmcguire.