A Total Work Of Art

A Total Work Of Art An Etsy shop dedicated to daily beauty, creativity and sustainability: upcycled goods and digital downloads

etsy.ca/shop/atotalworkofart

More screenshots of everything I sent myself this week. Also, 25% sale in the shop! #
05/15/2026

More screenshots of everything I sent myself this week. Also, 25% sale in the shop!

#

Screenshots of almost everything I sent myself from my personal account to this account over the past month. Includes lo...
05/08/2026

Screenshots of almost everything I sent myself from my personal account to this account over the past month. Includes lots of Met Gala faves.

On another note, it's my birthday month, so I'll be running random sales all month long!

Today's March Meet the Maker post is up! I rewatched Kiki's Delivery Service the other week and this part really hit me....
03/24/2026

Today's March Meet the Maker post is up! I rewatched Kiki's Delivery Service the other week and this part really hit me. It describes the challenge of inspiration so well

When I was in college I had a professor try to convince me to have my models walk down the runway in Doc Martens. I didn...
03/21/2026

When I was in college I had a professor try to convince me to have my models walk down the runway in Doc Martens. I didn’t have an issue with the idea, but it wasn’t MY idea. I tried to play it off cool and told her “yeah, that could work, I don’t really have a strong opinion about that.” She looked me in the eyes and said “yes you do, you really do.” It might sound like a silly conversation to some, but in that moment I felt understood. She was asking me to be more open about my opinions, affirming that it was OK, and even important, for me to be concerned about little details like that.



The rest is on substack and linked in all the usual places

Several years ago I was doing my best to push myself to do craft markets. I noticed that some adults bought my headbands...
03/18/2026

Several years ago I was doing my best to push myself to do craft markets. I noticed that some adults bought my headbands for themselves and some adults bought them for their children. Some parents had children who wanted the headbands, but the parents didn’t make a purchase because they thought they were too expensive for kids. So, I began to include a small bowl of hair clips for children at my booth, they were priced lower than my other items and sold really well.

There. Commercial interactions showing me something about my business and myself as a designer. I can’t help but make things that have a certain childlike quality, which I’ve been embracing more and more lately.

Full post on substack and linked in all the usual places

03/14/2026

I could never make anything like that, and I don’t. I don’t even try to... In the grand scheme of things I am little, and I make little things, maybe insignificant things...

When I make things I get a taste of being inside the canyon, maybe even of hiking through it. I make things so I can chase that sense of being in motion and being surrounded by beauty at the same time. Searching for evolving vistas and landscapes all while trying to keep your balance and breath slow enough so that you don’t miss it.

Full post over on substack and linked in all the usual places

"Maybe all creative work is a process of trial and error, this newsletter that I’m creating certainly is. I think that I...
03/07/2026

"Maybe all creative work is a process of trial and error, this newsletter that I’m creating certainly is. I think that I’ve always understood the “trial” piece of it, but it wasn’t until today that I actually heard the second word, error. I love trying new things, testing new ideas, but the inclusion of the word error… I guess it fits into the idea that one is supposed to learn from one’s mistakes. You try, you watch and you learn."

Pictured: trial and error photos of a dress-up crown, my toes made it into some of the pics.

Full post over on substack -- linked in all the usual places. 

         trialanderror

"I’ve been putting pressure on myself to get better at “showing my process to the public” for years. It’s all artists an...
03/05/2026

"I’ve been putting pressure on myself to get better at “showing my process to the public” for years. It’s all artists and makers are told to do in the modern era. “It’s easy, just film your whole day and turn it into a reel with a zippy tagline that people can’t help but look at!” or “They don’t care if you’re in your pajamas! Pajamas are relatable, everyone loves pajamas!!”

But what if, at least on some days, I care that I am in my pajamas?!"

Full post over on substack -- linked in all the usual places. artisticprocess processphotos

"A Total Work of Art is my small upcycling brand dedicated to the concept of helping both adults and children play “dres...
03/03/2026

"A Total Work of Art is my small upcycling brand dedicated to the concept of helping both adults and children play “dress-up.” The idea of dress-up has become a non-negotiable for me in the midst of these years of motherhood and grief. The act of getting dressed is what made me interested in design in the first place and the most beautiful form of getting dressed is when it’s done by a child - playing. To become someone else, but to become more yourself, to become more free, happy, or daring. That’s what getting dressed is all about."

Head over to substack to read the rest (link in bio)

Pictured: me very happily playing dress in my favorite dino dress (made for me by my mom) and sparkly skirt combo.



March Meet the Maker is here!! This year I'll be doing it over on substack. Link in comments to subscribe
03/02/2026

March Meet the Maker is here!! This year I'll be doing it over on substack. Link in comments to subscribe

Address

Montreal, QC

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when A Total Work Of Art posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to A Total Work Of Art:

Shortcuts

Share

Category