Well friends, this was such a fun conversation! 💕 I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Hattie Lee Mendoza, an Illinois-based professional studio artist whose work moves across painting, fiber, beadwork, weaving, found objects, and so much more.
What I love about Hattie’s work is her ability to look at something other people might consider discarded, ordinary, or past its usefulness—and see possibility. From thrifted dishes and vintage lace to family heirlooms and sewing supplies, Hattie gives these objects a whole new life while weaving in her Cherokee heritage and personal history.
And you know I LOVE that! 😊
🎨 Letting the Materials Lead
One of my favorite things Hattie shared was that she doesn't always start with a plan. Sometimes the object comes first.
She might find a plate, a piece of fabric, some lace, or another interesting object, and then she starts figuring out what it wants to become. I absolutely love this way of working because it takes away some of that pressure to know exactly what you're doing before you begin.
We talked about her beautiful plate paintings, her giant lace installation, and how working in different mediums can actually influence one another. Beadwork can change the way you see painting. Weaving can teach you something that shows up somewhere completely unexpected.
That kind of creative cross-pollination is pretty wonderful. 🌿
♻️ Turning “Garbage” Into Art
Of course, this was one of my favorite parts of our conversation because I am a BIG fan of making art from things that might otherwise end up in the trash!
Hattie shared some of the materials she's rescued or repurposed, including thrifted dishware, vintage lace, sewing supplies, broken pieces, and even discarded materials from a furniture company. She's currently working on a hat display using a discarded display head and a whole collection of sewing pins.
YES, PLEASE! 😂
It reminded me of so many of my own projects where I've looked at something and thought, “I can't throw that away. I know I can make something with it!”
And that's really the heart of creative reuse. You don't have to know what something is going to become before you save it. Sometimes you just have to recognize the possibility.
💛 Give Yourself Permission to Experiment
Hattie had some wonderful advice for anyone who is afraid to experiment: just do it.
And if it doesn't work? That's okay!
You can set it aside and come back later. You can cut it apart, sew it into something else, reuse pieces of it, or simply decide that the experience of making it was worthwhile.
I LOVE this reminder.
We don't have to make every project a masterpiece. Sometimes we're just curious. Sometimes we're learning. Sometimes we're playing. And sometimes the thing we almost didn't like turns out to be the piece someone else absolutely loves.
Hattie also talked about joy—which happens to be her favorite word—and I think that really sums up this conversation for me.
So go find something unexpected, friends. Pick up that thrifted plate. Rescue that weird piece of fabric. Open the box of supplies you've been saving “for someday.” Follow your curiosity and see where it takes you.
You never know what kind of happy might be hiding in something someone else was ready to throw away. ♻️🎨✨
Happy creating,
Joleen
PS: 🎥 Watch the full episode below:
Guest Bio
Hattie Lee Mendoza is a professional studio artist based in Illinois who originally grew up in Southwest Kansas, studied graphic design, and later earned her MFA in Fine Art. Her work moves across painting, printmaking, fiber, beadwork, weaving, and found objects, often incorporating repurposed materials and family heirlooms. Through her artwork, Hattie explores her Cherokee heritage, personal history, memory, and the stories held within everyday objects. One of the things that makes Hattie’s work so special is her ability to look at something other people might consider discarded and see possibility, beauty, and a whole new life waiting to happen.
Follow Hattie
Episode Chapters with Timestamps
[00:00–05:30] — Joleen’s Happy Things
[05:30–10:00] — Meet Hattie Lee Mendoza
[10:00–19:00] — Hattie’s Creative Process
[19:00–28:00] — Cherokee Heritage & Found Objects
[28:00–35:00] — The Giant Lace Installation
[35:00–42:00] — Turning “Garbage” Into Art
[42:00–48:00] — Hattie’s Current Projects
48:00–55:00] — Happy Time Questions
[55:00–59:30] — Creativity, Joy & Goodbye!
Quotes from the Episode
You don't know till you try.” — Hattie Lee Mendoza
“Anything I've made is fair game to be added to a different piece later on.” — Hattie Lee Mendoza
“Anything I make, there's someone out there that will relate to it and find something joyful in.” — Hattie Lee Mendoza
“Sometimes the simple curiosities and things we have is what resonates on a broader level with people.” — Hattie Lee Mendoza
“I love making and I love making with people.” — Jolene Emery
Resources & Calls-to-Action
🎨 Follow Hattie
🌐 Website: https://www.hattieleemendoza.com
📱 Instagram/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hattieleemendoza
🖼️ Hattie’s Upcoming Shows
Bethel College, Newton, Kansas — exhibition through September 17
Cherokee Art Market, Tulsa, Oklahoma — October
Native Art Market, Madison, Wisconsin — November
📖 Strawberry Moon Magazine
Jolene also recommends Strawberry Moon Magazine, a beautiful resource for anyone who loves art journaling, junk journaling, collage, ephemera, and creative inspiration. The episode features Issue 10: Collage from A to Z, which includes ideas and techniques ranging from adhesives and block printing to ephemera, nature, repetition, substrates, and upcycling.
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