We have long been fans of art made from scrap materials. Our admiration stems from understanding the level of un-thinking that recycled art requires. It demands the artist look beyond the intended purpose of each item and far into its structural or design potential and emotional value. They must ask themselves, “What could this be, if it weren’t what it is?” With painstaking patience they deconstruct, reinterpret, and reassemble until their vision is achieved. As a result, recycled art takes the unsightly, forgotten, and buried, out of our basements, attics, alleys and dumps, and turns it into renewed masterpieces. How fabulous is that?!!

At Foundry, we are committed to the idea that quality, everyday goods can too be forged from discarded materials. We have searched high and low, far and wide, and right here at home for artists and crafters who are creating in this way. From them we have acquired a wonderful array of upcycled items that are as unique to the marketplace as they are friendly to the environment. In addition to our collection of upcycled goods, we have also sought out traditionally recycled products with an unusual twist. From paper goods made of fruit fiber, to smelly pencils of reclaimed newspaper, our recycled wares are conversation worthy.

Most importantly, at Foundry we hope to inspire creative thought and action. As a way to foster upcycling, and the creative thinking therein, we offer books and magazines filled with great crafting ideas and environmentally conscious crafting kits for kids. In time, we hope to also incorporate crafting workshops to aid and encourage our fans. In doing so, Foundry strives to become an energetic forum of creative thought sharing.

We’d love for you to be a part of our family. Come create with us at Foundry…where you’ll find that everything is something else!

 

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Co-Owners Shelly Piper and Natalie Hood met in 2000 when they were co-workers at an art and frame shop in Orlando, FL. Ten years later they have made the leap from co-workers to co-owners, and are bringing Foundry to life. Shelly is a lover of all things creative, pretty and unique. Put all three of these things together and you can see the beginnings of something great like Foundry. She started out attempting to sell her own crayon drawings at a craft fair at the age of 8, from then went on to enter high school art competitions and college gallery shows. After that, the real world called and she worked in galleries and museums for the next fifteen years. It was at one of those well-known museums where she met the people who inspired this business idea.

She also has a wonderfully tolerant husband and son who have shared living space with all the ongoing projects and seen many craft shows from west coast to east coast…and it’s only just beginning!

She likes octopuses, The Nightmare Before Christmas and making mosaics.

As a result of her parent’s passion for do-it-yourself, Natalie’s exposure to art and craft began at a young age. Through family projects involving painting, sewing, baking and woodworking, she quickly learned that creating with one’s hands offered great personal reward. Over the years, she eagerly took part in art and crafting classes that opened her eyes to new possibilities. Natalie has spent the last 12 years working in the picture framing trade. A perfect balance of art and craft, the trade has taught her creative design and color use, and has elevated her resourcefulness and crafting skill. Today, she is thrilled to be stepping up as co-owner of Foundry and is looking forward to sharing and learning with Foundry’s fans. Natalie made Asheville home in 2002; she enjoys puzzles, jaunty conversation, and picking things up with her toes.

Shelly and Natalie love what they are doing, and hope that you will too.