PDX Profile: Amy Daileda, of Daisy Rock

Amy Daileda makes cute hats and clothes from recycled and sustainable materials. Beautiful stuff, and lovely commitment to the environment. Definitely take a gander at her website after you check out this interview!

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You say on your website that your business grew out of your commitment to the environment. Will you tell us more about that?
I have always been interested in sustainability, self-sufficiency and environmentalism, and I love nature. I reached a point in my life where i wanted my work to be something i completely believe in. As green as possible. No compromises. I had a florist job with a boss that was not treating the employees well and had low environmental standards, and I felt I had to quit and could never work for anyone ever again. so I focused on my sewing and created my own ideal job! I also like the aspect of being able to introduce/inform people about environmental fabrics and practices.

What kinds of things inspire your designs?
I am inspired by nature! I love flowers and have a huge garden. I often take sewing breaks and tour the garden to find a spark of inspiration. Camping in beautiful places such as the ocean or the desert always inspires me as well. I love color and am influenced by the colors around me all the time.

You use hemp fabrics in your clothing line - will you tell us something about this fiber?
Hemp is an awesome fiber--it is incredibly strong and durable, washes well, softens with use, is breathable and comfortable to wear. It is easily grown without the need to use chemicals, is a sustainable annual crop (a lot is harvested each year) and actually improves the soil where it's grown. Many companies are blending hemp with other fibers such as organic cotton or silk, and the blends are great for clothing. Hemp/cotton combines the softness of cotton with the durablility of hemp.

What would you say is the biggest challenge of keeping your business environmentally conscious?
It is hard to compete with other companies that are using cheaper fibers and labor overseas. Unfortunately hemp and organic cotton cost more than chemically-laden alternatives. It's also too bad that our government bans the growing of hemp in the USA. This is due to politics with the cotton and paper industries. The hemp plant is related to marijuana but is not the same variety of the plant. A lot of people think the ban has to do with drugs, but it is more about big business monopolies. So, in order to use hemp it has to be grown and shipped from other countries (mainly China) and I would prefer to support USA companies (support local jobs, and use less fuel for shipping). Fortunately there is a lot of organic cotton grown in the USA and there are lots of salvaged materials available.

How do you think "Art" is different from "Craft?"
I think about this all the time! They definitely overlap. I think art is pure expression where as craft also has a functional aspect and focuses on technique. It seems to me that fine craft can incorporate the artist's pure expression.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
I find all of Portland creative and inspirational! I love walking and biking through the neighborhoods looking at gardens. I love living in the NE Alberta district. There are lots of creative people in the area. I enjoy visiting SCRAP, and the top of Mt. Tabor Park.