Directed the formulation of a proprietary vitamin based lip balm with exceptional care in sourcing both sustainable natural ingredients, and responsible packaging. Founded on a platform to promote positive self image while encouraging women to pursue their dreams. Abature is a for profit, socially focused company with a mission to promote equality, educate girls, and empower women. We hope to send a message of empowerment to reflect our strong belief that true beauty comes from within. Inherent to our mission, I designed the lip butters to have moisturizing skin benefits as well as vitamin enriched natural raw ingredients not only safe if ingested, but beneficial. Women ingest between 2 Tablespoons and 5 lbs of lip products in their lifetime- I wanted to develop a safe product, with transparency in labeling, women could enjoy, and feel good about using. Product design, graphic design, marketing, product styling + photography, contract negotiation, brand development, packaging design, initial prototype cosmetic formulation, seasonal flavor profile development, local + international sourcing, financial modeling, B2B partnerships, and global leadership roles inside our attached cause are shared responsibilities of the two founders- my 14 year old daughter, and myself.
Originally coming to the industry as a set designer, I've had the pleasure and privilege of working in commercial, portrait, and product photography for many years. I've worked for studios around the country as well as owned my own studio in my home state of Colorado. My passion for photography started when I was 11 when my father purchased my first 35mm film camera. Despite entrepreneurial efforts that often pull me away from the industry, I find my growing obsession with still images and the art of photography proves to be a viable source of income and continues to be a source of creative expression and professional growth. My photography work has, in many ways, become my signature.
I designed, prototyped, procured funding, and sourced overseas manufacturing for a women’s emergency ballet flat. Following our initial launch in 2009 I established relationships with vendors, hired employees, maintained investor relations, built an international distribution direct-ship business from my manufacturer in Taiwan and functioned as the sole Creative Director for the company. The majority of graphic design was done in-house, I led several marketing campaigns as well as designed our trade show set, signage, collateral, print ads, website, product packaging, labeling, retail displays and trend boards for graphic repeats. My specific expertise with design was utilized at the factory level working with our manufacturer to streamline production, perfect our patterns, and establish a top-notch quality control process. In January 2014, Sweetslips was sold to a private overseas company.
Developed and implemented Middle School through High School Digital Photography, Jewelry Design, Graphic Design, Textiles + Fiber, Hand Lettering, and Design + Build Programs at Watershed School, a private non-profit expeditionary learning program founded in Boulder, Colorado. I'm passionate about education reform and proud to be a part of an innovative secondary program leading the way for innovation and real-world learning.
I provided instruction for students grades 6-12 in hands-on 4.5 month classes and intensives in Digital Photography, Metals, and Design Build. I also co-teach a month-long expedition travel program where each class is given an essential question/problem and a month to find their answers in real-world opportunities by traveling around the world, working with experts, doing community service, and exploring new cultures and economies.
My Photography class focuses on light, observation mastery, composition, the science of photography, and an in-depth understanding of the technical functions of a digital camera, strobe & natural lighting, and digital editing.
In Jewelry Design intensives my students work with silver, nickel, and copper. Learning through sketching and ideation we take ideas from concept to creation while mastering hand tools, soldering, torch work, and finishing techniques.
My Design + Build course explores design challenges using a variety of mediums including wood, metal, and recycled materials. Students take ideas from concept with hand drafted technical drawings to finished impactful artifacts that have purpose and showcase innovative ideation and human centered design thinking methods. We uncover solutions to simple and complex problems in interesting and beautiful ways with a focus on craftsmanship, hand work, and creative process. My students are empowered to see the world as a pliable platform to answer this question "how will I shape it?"
