At first glance, Dandelion Tea might sound like a cozy herbal drink - but when you look closer, you see it’s something much bigger. Like the dandelion itself, this project is rooted in what’s overlooked, dismissed, or even discarded—then transformed into something remarkable.

The name is a twist on dandelion tea, a drink known for its healing and resilience. My journey started with the shock of learning this so-called weed was actually medicinal, and that revelation has since become the foundation of my worldview and a multifaceted creative venture - culminating in this body of work.

Whether it’s a tree that looks like an ear, shredded plastic reborn as an elegant frame, a photo that makes you take a second glance, or a one-of-a-kind t-shirt, Dandelion Tea is all about shifting perspectives and redefining value.

While my creative practice spans multiple mediums, from photography to jewelry, The Recycling Project has become my artistic core - transforming non-recyclables into functional, meaningful art. This work has touched me in a way nothing else has - it’s my passion, my heart, and my future. More than just art, I intend to grow it into a movement, a hands-on way for anyone to reclaim and repurpose what was once considered waste.

I hope you enjoy this collection as much as I’ve loved creating it.

Professional Statement

I am an indeterminate Business Expertise Advisor with Service Canada, specializing in adult education, operational transformation, and high-impact project work. I thrive in innovative, fast-evolving environments and bring a strong record of process improvement, accessible design, and team leadership. My background spans federal service, archaeology, research, and professional arts — all unified by a commitment to precision, problem-solving, and creative execution.

Education

University of Saskatchewan — Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy (2009)
Simon Fraser University — Archaeology Studies (2012)

Program & Technical Skills

• Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, OneNote, Forms, Planner, Office.com

• CDS, Miro, Colour Contrast Analyzer

• Foxit PDF Editor, Harmon.ie

• Some experience with: Power BI, Power Apps, Excel

Core Qualifications

• Strong people skills

• Excellent public speaking & facilitation

• Project coordination & working group leadership

• Accessibility compliance (Word & PowerPoint)

• Staff supervision & mentoring

• Detail-oriented, solution-focused, and a rapid learner

• Creative, self-motivated, and highly collaborative

Primary Work Experience

Business Expertise Advisor (2015–Present)

Service Canada – Benefits Delivery & Services Branch (Vancouver & Nanaimo, BC)

Highlighted Projects & Achievements

• W-T Accessibility Team (2024) — Nominated for DMAE Award. Produced executive-level accessibility reports, dashboards, personas, and journey maps; developed accessible video presentations; collaborated with ADM and Executive Directors.

• Accessible Documents Website (2022–2023) — Ensured accuracy of all content and maintained updated link structures.

• Organization Effectiveness (OE) Culture Team (2023) — Updated PMA companion tools; maintained PROPS SharePoint and Power Apps systems; supported DMAE/ADMAE submissions; contributed to the Civility Project.

• OE Emotional Intelligence Course (2023) — ADMAE Award recipient (Learning & Development). Co-delivered training, supported tracking, and maintained all course materials.

• OE Issues Management GD Box (2023) — Co-managed, updated all templates, and created an accessible “how-to” guide.

• OE Re-Imagination Intern (2022–2023) — Contributed to EAG itineraries, RoDs, accessibility documentation, onboarding materials, facilitation, and administrative support.

• EI BEA Corner (2022) — Nominated for ADMAE Award.
  Led design, content creation, educational products, videos, job aids, and became specialized in Word accessibility.

• Multilingual Services Concept Paper (2022–Ongoing) — Project coordinator for a national initiative. Created roles, mentored staff, established deadlines, supported leadership communication, and increased efficiency.

• BEES Co-Lead & BEC Work (2021) — Helped establish new working group structure, identified fraud trends, and improved reference tools.

• ERB → Maternity Unit Lead (2020–2021) — BEA Lead working with NHQ, SBEC, SWM, REU and IPOC; authored fulsome job aids; monitored new staff; balanced up to 80 inquiries/day.

• Lifelong Learning Initiative (2018) — Validated, co-authored, and delivered all training sessions; developed technical session content for W-T and delivered in Nanaimo.

• McCrea Files (2017) — Assisted FMC and NHQ with processing team oversight, monitoring, and coordination.

• Training & Mentorship (2017–Present) — Lead trainer for in-person and virtual courses; created games, tools, and new teaching formats; ongoing soft-skills coaching for BEAs.

• Multiple Pilot Projects (2017–Present) — Validation, content design, delivery, and continuous improvement.

Previous Relevant Employment

Archaeology Technician (2011–2012)

Kadermas, Lee & Jackson Engineering – Bismarck, North Dakota

• Conducted historical land research, GIS mapping, fieldwork, chart creation, and technical documentation.

• Trained staff and supervised projects ranging from local surveys to major excavations.

• Promoted to department supervisor within nine months after:

  • Learning the entire role in under three months.

  • Absorbing the workload of three technicians by designing a more efficient system.

  • Reducing errors and improving turnaround time through new processes.

  • Writing the department’s procedural manual and training archaeologists in file-search methodology.

Jeweler & Jewelry Artist (2002–2006)

The Bead Hive – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

• Designed and produced custom jewelry pieces, including intricate beadwork and wire-work designs.

• Repaired and restored customer jewelry to professional standards.

• Created original art pieces for store display and sale.

• Taught classes for both children and adults, covering:

  • Jewelry design fundamentals

  • Repair techniques

  • Creative projects and custom commissions

• Supported customers with design selection, tool use, and material planning.

This artistic foundation directly informs my current creative practice, including mixed-media work, recycled-material art, and educational design.

Born in Saskatchewan and raised between Saskatchewan and North Dakota, I grew up constantly moving - fueling a lifelong curiosity and adaptability. With a philosophy degree and minors in art, politics, history, and archaeology, I built a broad foundation of knowledge. My background in archaeology led me to a leadership role in the field, but witnessing destruction in the name of discovery pushed me toward a new path - one that builds rather than dismantles.

Seeking a deeper connection to nature, I transitioned into horticulture, working in both urban and nursery settings before finally putting down roots in British Columbia. That same drive for meaningful impact led me to a career in policy and problem-solving, where I now work as a Business Expertise Advisor for the Canadian government. But my passion for sustainability extends beyond systems and strategy - I bring it into my art.

Now based in Port Alberni, I specialize in mixed media - plaster, resin, and upcycled plastics - creating functional and sculptural pieces that merge sustainability with modern design. My work aims to challenge perceptions of waste, proving that discarded materials can be both beautiful and purposeful.

I envision a future where art transforms not just materials but mindsets. My work takes what we discard - plastic waste, packaging, non-recyclables - and turns them into meaningful, beautiful, and functional pieces. But more than that, it’s a statement: we don’t have to live buried under waste. We can integrate it, repurpose it, and use it as a catalyst for change.

But this isn’t just about my art - it’s about anyone being able to do this. The materials I use aren’t exclusive or expensive; they’re the same things found in any home, dollar store, or landfill. In a world where people feel powerless in the face of environmental and political crises, this is something tangible they can do right now. A way to take action, reclaim control, and turn personal waste into something valuable.

I want to bring this movement into the public eye - through exhibitions, workshops, media, and collaborations—sparking conversations about sustainability in art, industry, and daily life. Imagine dumps transformed into sculpture parks, sidewalks embedded with repurposed plastics, and buildings constructed with sustainable, artistic reinvention at their core.

This isn’t just art - it’s a revolution. One that anyone can join. Because change doesn’t start with corporations or policies; it starts at home, one project at a time. And with the right momentum, those small actions can force real shifts in how we, as a society, handle waste and sustainability.

With The Recycling Project, I transform materials that can’t be composted or reliably recycled into sustainable, functional, and contemporary art. These pieces are the beginning of a bigger conversation: waste is becoming part of nature itself. As microplastics infiltrate our ecosystems, I explore a future where waste and earth are indistinguishable - merging the stability of stone with the reality of embedded pollution.

This collection isn’t just an artistic experiment - it’s proof that waste can be reimagined as a resource, not a problem.

Each piece showcases elements of different approaches, from raw, exposed materials to the sleek, seamless designs, proving that sustainability can be both bold and beautiful, organic and modern. I am excited to continue exploring avenues of both fine art and functional pieces.

At the heart of this collection are the rock pieces, a reflection of an unsettling truth: if we continue on this path, the very foundation of our planet will be built from discarded waste.

But this project isn’t just about my work - it’s about what’s possible. These techniques are accessible and easy to learn, meaning anyone can take part in turning waste into something meaningful. The more people who embrace this, the more we challenge the idea that waste is useless.

This is just the beginning. As my work evolves and others join in, I want to push the boundaries of what can be done - because sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste. It’s about redefining it. And we’re only getting started.

I’m actively seeking opportunities to share, collaborate, and expand this work - through exhibitions, partnerships, and hands-on workshops. If you share this vision, let’s connect.

Not everything I make fits neatly into a single box - and honestly, that’s the fun of it. Alongside The Recycling Project, I create other work that explores the strange, the lucky, and the delightfully human sides of nature.

The Clover Collection sprouted quite literally from my driveway. After two years of parking in the same spot, I discovered a patch of clovers growing right in the gravel - not just four-leaf ones, but fives and sixes too. (The odds of that are wild) I transplanted the little miracle plant and have been fostering it ever since, preserving its leaves into pendants and keychains. I’d love to one day partner with someone who can give these rare finds the spotlight they deserve, while I keep my hands full with The Recycling Project. Still, they remind me daily that luck shows up when you pay attention.

The Dirty Trees Series sprang from tree in North Vancouver that looked, from every possible angle, like a group of intertwined human forms - like the gods crashed an org, got angry/jealous and turned them into a tree (don't ya hate it when that happens!?). I couldn’t not photograph it. The series now lives on as photographs mounted on my recycled plaster-and-plastic canvases, with hand-painted edges that blur the line between the organic and the man-made. As they are photographs I also like to sell them in other, more accessible forms, like stickers and magnets because I crave utility in all things.

Then there’s The Dirty Coloring Book - a cheeky, back-burner project inspired by my grandma asking for an “adult coloring book.” (She meant floral designs. I heard dirty jokes and drawings. We compromised.) Created in collaboration with brilliant author Nikki Haffner, it is a mix of games, humor, and erotic art - a playful reminder that creativity can be bold, naughty, and full of heart.

And finally, I share my photography on platforms like Redbubble. It’s not my main focus, but it’s another way to keep the art flowing and the ideas alive.

I intend to start selling more of my work soon but right now The Recycling Project, and the art specifically associated with that, is taking up all of my time.