About six years ago my husband and I started watching the series Vikings. In the show’s first few moments I saw something in the character Loki’s lair that changed the direction of my work. Hanging from a tree was a talisman made of driftwood or delicate animal bones. It reminded me of an ancient cairn and appeared to be quite important: it was telling a story or was part of the story being told. This was a defining moment for me, a true epiphany.
I realized at once the purpose of my obsessive collecting, that the multitude of archived objects I’d been squirreling away my entire life were an extension of myself. I choose them because they choose me.
It looks like you’re out of free articles.
Become a Women Create member to read this full article.
Already a member? Sign in

Monthly Membership
- Unlimited access to the Women Create website
- Monthly Maker Moments livestreams, members-only newsletters and more

Annual Memberships
- Unlimited access to the Women Create website
- Print and digital subscriptions of WHAT Women Create magazine, WHERE Women Create magazine, or both
- Monthly Maker Moments livestreams, members-only newsletters and more