Janelle Costello

The impulse of collecting has been present in me for as long as I could wander off alone.  The concept of art came much later. After pursuing a degree in Studio Art, I have since been self-taught in a range of folk craftwork practices.  As a multimedia artist with a deep adoration for the natural world, my designs are an impulsive response to found objects and are thus constantly evolving based on the distinctive characteristics of the original finding and the pursuit of new skills sets.  I make things from the leftovers of a world already stuffed full of Things. For me, this is an impulsive response to a disposal culture. Living within me is an active, explorative craving to create, to cultivate awareness & creative growth in others, and to reduce wastefulness in any way.  These are gestures of respect for our Earth and the small patch of time we have to experience it.  Through tactile practices of incorporating found objects and reimagined materials, I feel like part of both the past and the future. 

Always immersed in a scatter of projects, sometimes I’m compelled to document the beauty within process alone. To follow along with peeks of what I’m working on, or to inquire about commissions such as stained glass projects or transforming your found treasure into a wearable piece, connect with me through the link below.

Angel Fowler

My curiosity for our natural world developed at an early age, and that interest has manifested itself as an adult, which is why I found myself pursuing a career in the environmental field.

I am very drawn to the outdoors and tend to seek out diversity in all aspects of life, particularly if it’s in a place I have never been before.  From eclectic landscapes to microscopic assemblages, the arrangement of our world is extremely intricate.  I continuously search nature in support of conservation and sustainable ways of living, and aim to help educate others on the importance of biodiversity. I value living a life in consideration of our earth and want to encourage others to not only reevaluate their material footprint, but to also enjoy the beauty in all features that surround us.

My favorite materials include a combination of remnants and eccentricities left by species that were once living, as well as inorganic constituents to produce groovy, yet practical pieces. Similar to my Earthwhile partner, I am inspired by discarded and residual objects that can be repurposed into functional creations. I am especially motivated by the ecological relics that can be found just from searching within our terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Re-Imagining Materials

Bringing New Purpose To What’s been Left Behind.

Earthwhile Collective is an art and natural science collaborative effort whose mission is to encourage creativity and inventiveness through the transformation of found objects and discarded materials, while promoting environmental awareness & stewardship with community litter cleanups.  EWC was formed on the basis of curiosity for our natural world and the understanding that conscious practices are necessary to reduce human-induced impacts on our natural resources. We aspire to stimulate imagination through connection with our surroundings, while also promoting mindful artistic practices. 

Our evolving collection of handcrafted products range from unconventional personal accessories and garments, to one-of-a-kind home accents that are pieced together from both natural and manmade remnants. All components used in our products are ethically sourced, personally salvaged by us or donated by others.