Hi, I'm Olivia. Welcome to my corner of the internet! I'm so glad you found us. Here, you'll discover what I'm creating. From beautifully handcrafted hatbands and custom-printed textiles, to DIY low-tox household items, while I share about some of my favorite things. I'll tell you all about our journey of raising a deaf child, embracing a low-tox lifestyle, all while navigating the joys and challenges of parenting. Stay a while, explore, and I hope you connect with our story.
Meet the Mama!
Hello, I’m Olivia, a proud mom of two beautiful children we worked so hard to have.
In 2020, my husband and I decided we'd like to grow our family. After nearly a year of trying, we were thrilled when that test finally read 'pregnant'! But heartbreakingly, we miscarried in early 2021. It was the hardest experience of my life, both physically and emotionally. As part of my healing process, I turned to acupuncture, embraced lifestyle changes, and committed to reducing our toxin load.
A little over a year later, we welcomed our first child, a healthy baby boy. Through genetic testing, we learned he was born deaf due to a recessive gene both my husband and I carry. Fast forward to the beginning of 2024, we welcomed our daughter to the world. She was born hearing. The four of us live with our two dogs, Rory the German Shorthair Pointer and Berna the Black Lab, in a small lake town nestled in the mountains of Wyoming.
Everyday, I’m so happy to be home with my children, present for the unique demands of raising a deaf child. While I also get to pursue being a creative, a small business owner and pursue subjects I'm curious about.
Deaf and Crunchy Diaries
Sign Language vs. Cochlear Implants: Why We Chose Both
To the moms out there weighing these choices, I want you to know: incorporating sign language alongside cochlear implants is a game-changer. It’s not only about language; it’s about bonding, giving...
Cochlear Implant Surgery and Activation: Tips for a Smooth Process
After six hours, the call came: Bode was out of surgery and just waking up! My husband and I rushed to see him, with my mom holding down the fort...
Our Cochlear Implant Journey: What to Expect as a Parent
I called my mom to tell her the news [our baby boy was deaf]. It felt like our world had shifted on its axis. I didn’t have words to explain...
Meet the maker!
Hello again! I’m the designer and maker behind everything you see here. I live in a charming small town in Wyoming with my husband, our son, our daughter, and our two pups. As a family, we love spending time outdoors—mountain biking, paddleboarding, skiing, and hunting.
A few years ago, I went on my first upland bird hunt and discovered how much I enjoyed the experience. (We’re big fans of eating field-to-table.) The pheasant feathers we collected that day were so striking, I couldn’t bear to throw them away. That’s when my feather-hoarding began. At first, I wasn’t sure what to do with them, but I knew they were too beautiful to go to waste.
About a year later, my mom introduced me to the cyanotype process. I started experimenting with flowers, and then I had the idea to use some of my feather collection. The moment I finished my first sun print with feathers, I realized I had found the perfect way to showcase their unique beauty.
Even so, my feather collection kept growing! That’s when I started crafting hatbands and medallion pieces, transforming these natural treasures into bold, one-of-a-kind statement art.
Every piece I create is truly unique—no two are ever exactly alike, even if arranged in a similar style. I’m so excited to share these special designs with you!
What is cyanotype?
Cyanotype is an antique photographic process, using the sun to expose images on paper--or in my case fabric. I collect feathers and flowers and arrange them on my fabric, which has been pre-treated with ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. With this treatment the fabric is a light olive green color. Once I have my objects arranged in the design I like, I take the fabric outside to be exposed to the sun. After exposure, 20-60 minutes, I remove the objects and wash the fabric. Everything the sun touches deepens to the blue you see in my images, leaving behind a white negative of the objects used.