ArtWorthy
Elizabeth Pape
Occupation?
Independent designer and student on the side. Well, not really - I am a full time student here at Flagler College,
but I'm also the owner of Tiny Dancer Clothing for which I design clothing, jewelry, and other fancy things.
I also repurpose vintage clothing, making it current and relevant for today's fashionable folks.
Artist or advocate?
Both. I use almost solely recycled materials - anything from curtains to bedsheets are turned into fabulous pieces of clothing, and I try to buy secondhand whenever I can. I love designing and creating, but I also love doing it in a way that contributes to sustainable living. It also provides a bit of a challenge, which I like. It's too easy to buy fabric off the bolt - the materials I use are unique and have their own story.
Artistic tool of choice?
Seam ripper. The sewing machine does wonders, but the ability to undo is priceless.
First artistic memory?
Making diorama's at my grandma's house in the mountains of Virginia. She lives in an amazing cabin up in the woods, and when we'd go stay with her I would make these diorama's in shoeboxes with little bits of moss, rocks, and a painted creek. I must have made 50 of those mini-worlds in the course of my childhood. I wonder where she put them all?
Defining moment as an artist?
The first time I saw a stranger wearing something I'd made. It was a pair of periwinkle blue feather earrings, and I was behind her in line at the bookstore. I was so excited I almost tapped her on the shoulder, but I figured that would be a little creepy so I restrained myself.
Inspiration or perspiration?
Oh dear, both. Some day's I'll be overflowing with brilliant ideas - so many I can't write them down fast enough. Then comes the tricky part of bringing them to reality. So many just don't turn out as I'd imagined which is so disappointing - others take far more work than expected. I've found that the accidental creations are usually the best ones.
Favorite art related possession at the moment?
My resin kit! I had the best time making some new collage necklaces using cut-outs of words and images from old "Life" magazine's from the 1950s and they turned out better than I expected! Bonus!
Why St. Johns County?
It's fantastic here! I love the school - the campus is beautiful and it's right in the heart of historic downtown, which is my favorite part of Saint Augustine. Just walking downtown to get a coffee makes me happy - the cobblestone streets, the ivy covered walls of the old shop buildings - it's heaven to me. There's such an abundant creative culture here as well, inspiration is never hard to find.