UPCYCLING

Throughout my life, I’ve always been creative, naturally seeking out ways to have a creative outlet. At the same time, I’ve been deeply conscious of sustainability and passionate about protecting the planet in any way I can. When I entered the outdoor and sports industry, I was struck by the immense amount of waste it generates, which left a lasting impression on me.

At Big Agnes, an outdoor equipment and apparel company based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, I worked as a repair and warranty technician. My role involved repairing products to extend their lifecycles—a process that brought me immense joy. It felt rewarding to help people stay outdoors with the gear they love for as long as possible. However, I noticed a significant gap when it came to sleeping pads. Once they failed, there was often no way to repair or repurpose them, which sparked an idea.

During my time at Big Agnes, I developed technical sewing skills, particularly with technical fabrics. With these skills, I began crafting bags from old sleeping pads, designing my own patterns and exploring various construction methods. While standardizing my process, I still left room for creativity. One of my favorite parts of this work was repurposing components from sleeping pads or tents that would otherwise be discarded, thoughtfully incorporating them into my designs. This approach allowed me to honor the story of the original product and its value while giving it a second life.