TOOLS OF THE SWAMP
Working outdoors in the Florida climate can be brutal. Muddy shoes, dirty knees, frizzy hair, sweat, blood, and yes, sometimes tears. But I have never let these conditions become an excuse to not show up as myself. instead, I express myself through my gear.
over the years I have lost many pairs of shears and countless tools while working in nurseries and on job sites. one day I decided to start investing in quality tools as a commitment to slow down, become more mindful in my work, and stop misplacing my tools and my mind.
Some may see tools as unsightly objects, but to me they are jewels. An extension of myself, a tribute to the craftsmanship it takes to complete an installation, and a step toward a more sustainable practice. I view my tools as heirlooms I will carry throughout my career.
I began building my collection with a stainless steel tool box from Toyosteel, followed by a beautiful pair of Toyama Hamono shears, and most recently, a custom tool belt crafted by Elle Barbeito, a designer who catches invasive burmese pythons in the Florida everglades and alchemizes them into timeless fashion and utility pieces. I always envisioned collaborating with Elle, creating botanical sets inspired by the everglades to showcase her work. this felt like the perfect opportunity to merge our two crafts.
before visiting Elle’s home in homestead to pick up my belt, I spent the morning collecting air plants and spanish moss that had fallen from trees. Materials that otherwise would be discarded as landscape waste. I also sourced grasses and other plants that naturally grow in the everglades from local nurseries.
It was important that the set design embody a slice of the everglades. Putting into context the materials used to craft both the bra and the tool belt. The snake is honored through repurposing. Its body transformed into objects of utility and art, while also addressing a larger ecological problem. This choice brings the landscape into the narrative, making visible the connection between craft, ecology, and the balance of a fragile environment.
In the end, these tools are not just objects I carry. they hold the history of my hands, the heat of the Florida sun, and the weight of every installation built. they remind me that my craft is a dialogue between body, material, and Landscape.
