I am a crafty geek with a soft spot for technology. I’ve been blogging since 2000, sharing my adventures in cooking, crafting, gardening, and enjoying life in Portland, Oregon.  Overflowing with DIY mavens, this terrifically unique city holds a special place in my heart.

My craftiness doesn’t really have a focus, so I dabble in sewing, knitting, crochet, paper mache, beadwork, sketching, and whatever else I can get my hands on. Creative re-use is my passion! One week it might be tote bags from upholstery fabric samples, and the next week it might be skirts from wacky T-shirts donated to my stash by a friend.

I spent several years working out of a studio in Old Town Chinatown using recycled materials to produce jewelry, clothing, and accessories. I have hosted craft nights, knitting nights, and workshops on re-inventing clothing.

I am a long-time volunteer (and briefly a staff member) at SCRAP (School and Community Reuse Action Project). Their mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community. Working with them has been an incredible opportunity for me to connect with other local artists and get lots of “upcycling” inspiration. It is also a terrific source for yarn and unique craft materials.

I am married to Aaron “Geek in the City” Duran (which means life is never dull!) and we share our home with a charming greyhound named Picard. Our first comic book, La Brujeria, was released on January 15, 2011. When I am not unraveling thrift store sweaters and re-winding the resulting yarn with a hand mixer to make OOAK skeins, I am exploring my new letterboxing hobby.

-Jenn

Press clipping: PDX Profile of Jennifer Alvin at DIY Alert

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