Artist Spotlight: Tara Froehler
Every month, we highlight one of the amazing artists in our reuse community. This month, ACR has the privilege of spotlighting Tara Froehler of Snips ‘n Scribbles who is a sewist, illustrator and graphic designer as well as a Core Volunteer at ACR! Learn more about Tara and how secondhand materials inspire her work in this interview!
Tell us about yourself!
Hi! I'm Tara Froehler. I started sewing in 2021 and it’s kind of snowballed into the creative chaos I live in now. I’ve always loved art and color. I have a degree in Graphic Communications (Design), which I still use for occasional freelance projects.
I'm a stay-at-home mom to a rambunctious 2.5 year old and a Libra who loves all things colorful. I have one cat named Suki and two gerbils affectionately known as “The Gals.”
Some current favorites:
Artists – Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, HAIM, and Florence + The Machine
Song – The Wizard And I - Wicked
Podcasts – Ghost Huns and Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Book – Death of a Neighborhood Witch by Laura Levine
This year, I officially started my small business, Snips ‘n Scribbles, with my best friend Allie Nelson. It took years to land on a name that felt right for all the things we make. “Snips” for cutting fabric, and “Scribbles” for drawing.
When did you learn to sew and how did you start sewing using recycled materials?
I actually learned to sew from my Gramma back in elementary school, but I didn’t take it seriously until the pandemic hit. I was stuck at home with not much to do, and sewing became something to focus on. The first thing I made? Scrunchies. It all started after I ordered some on Etsy—I loved the fabric patterns and was so excited to wear them… until I noticed how they were sewn. That visible seam down the middle bugged me, especially since I couldn’t move the fabric freely around my wrist. So, I looked up a different method on YouTube and gave it a try.
Here’s the scoop on how my scrunchies are different from a lot of the ones you’ll find on Etsy. Most scrunchies are made by sewing the fabric into a tube, threading the elastic through, shaping it into a circle, and then stitching right down the middle. That locks everything in place, so the fabric doesn’t move around much.
Mine are made a little differently! I wrap the fabric around pre-looped elastic and then topstitch the two sides of the fabric together. This way, the fabric and elastic can move independently, which makes it way easier to adjust in your hair or on your wrist. Plus, a fun little detail—each scrunchie has a topstitch that matches the fabric in some way, even if it’s a subtle or unexpected pop of color!
Next thing I knew, I was at Austin Creative Reuse all the time, grabbing fabric scraps instead of buying large cuts from Michaels or Joann’s. It just made more sense for the small things I was making. From the start, my sewing journey has been rooted in upcycled materials.
After a move to Virginia, I really leaned in—I was sewing every day and ended up with over 100 scrunchies! That’s when I signed up for my first craft fair at The Hermitage in Norfolk. I learned a lot from that experience... mostly that not everyone wears scrunchies and I may have been charging a little too much!
Now that I’m back in Austin, I’ve expanded my lineup to include a handful of functional sewn items that I love selling at local craft fairs.
Do you have other creative hobbies?
Absolutely! I hate wasting scraps, and I have an abundance of them, so I started finding ways to use even the tiniest bits. I started with mod-podging squares of fabric onto canvases. Then came Christmas ornaments. Then I began repurposing dishes and plates into jewelry or trinket trays using funky cut-up fabric pieces.
Most recently, I’ve started covering light switch covers with fabric, and I’ve got plans for fabric-covered shot glasses to hold Q-tips, matches, or toothpicks. I also have vases waiting for the same treatment. Thanks to ACR, I have a constant supply of fabric and glassware to play with.
I also love drawing! I create digital pet portraits and turn them into stickers, my daughter colors them in while I create the outline. And I make shrinky dink charms and keychains based on traced animals and cute illustrations from library books. I love chatting with people about shrinky dinks at markets—it’s such a nostalgic, fun medium.
Oh, and I’ve recently started making beaded earrings! Not your average ones—they’re long and dangly and super fun. I was inspired by a pair I bought on Etsy and realized, “Wait, I can totally make these!” I’ve made about a dozen so far using beads and findings from my childhood stash (thanks, Mom, for saving everything).
Which aspect of creating is your favorite?
Definitely color. I love color matching, mixing unexpected palettes, and creating functional art that feels playful and out-of-the-box. I gravitate toward bold, vibrant fabrics—you’ll rarely see me digging through the neutral bins at ACR. I have a couple neutrals just to give the eye a place to rest, but you won’t find much beige in my work!
Where do you get your inspiration?
Honestly, it all starts with color. Once I get a palette in my head, I can’t stop thinking about all the ways to use it.
What is your preferred way to engage with your audience?
You can find me and my bestie’s work on Instagram at @snipsnscribs. That’s the easiest way to reach out! I’ve also started posting behind-the-scenes stuff and looking for feedback on TikTok at @taradactle. And if you want to connect traditionally, you can email me at snipsnscribbles@gmail.com
How does reuse play a part in your creativity?
Reuse is the heart of everything I do. Most of my fabric and elastic come from ACR or have been donated. My coasters are made with upcycled fabric and batting from my Gramma’s old stash.
One of my favorite things about working with fabric scraps is the little connections you can spot between pieces. If you look closely, you might notice that some of my items share the same bits of fabric! Even though each piece is totally unique, the repeated patterns or colors create a fun, cohesive feel—like they secretly belong together.
I do buy a few supplies, like the grip liner for my jar openers, shrinky dink sheets, and keychain hardware. My stickers are professionally printed via Sticker App. But I’d say about 90% of my materials are reused or repurposed.
Do you ever donate materials to ACR? If so, what compels you to donate?
I haven’t donated yet—mainly because I don’t have much to give! I tend to keep everything, knowing I’ll find a way to use it eventually.
Do you have a favorite ACR find? How did you use it?
Yes! There’s one fabric in particular with adorable sea animals on it. I haven’t used it yet because it’s just too cute—I don’t want to “waste it.”
Where can we find out more about your work?
Follow me on Instagram at @snipsnscribs and check out my behind-the-scenes process on TikTok at @taradactle!