“THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE HANDMADE.
I am a fiber artist. At age three (1949), I announced that I was an artist. “No, you will not!” my parents yelled. After high school art classes, I studied jewelry design at three colleges. When gold's price was no longer regulated, I set my dream aside. I focused on earning the initials after my name (BS, MS, EdS, & PhD) that my parents dreamed of, but I always created fiber art.
In 2025, I developed a method for creating sustainable fiber-art jewelry. The items on this site are one-of-a-kind pieces designed and handmade by me, a deep ecologist. Every stitch I make conveys a personalized, modern reminder to honor nature. Every choice demonstrates respect for our Earth and all living beings on it. We are interdependent cohabitants on this planet. These are modern artistic expressions that are ethical, sustainable, and/or made from recycled materials.
In this Eco Fiber Shop, there are two distinctive sustainable options:
My pieces are made with only sustainable yarns (wool, cotton, cashmere, linen, or bamboo), cotton quilting materials, and natural or vintage trinkets. As an Animist, I respect the spirits of the animals or plants that made the yarn possible.
All original, sustainable, one-of-a-kind items.
Eco-Friendly Jewelry. The small, light jewelry is a perfect decoration for blouses, necklaces, or scarves. The heavier and larger sturdy brass pin pieces go well on larger pieces like open-weave jackets, sweaters, purses, jeans, or blankets. Both say “I love our planet” for years to come.
Eco-Honoring Wall Hangings for your home, office, or business. The sustainable wall hangings include the “We are all one heart series.” These Eco-Inspired works of art remind viewers that all life on Earth is connected and interdependent.
All are original one-of-a-kind designs, limited in quantity,
and hand washable (dry flat).
Ask for wholesale and quantity discounts or CUSTOM ORDERS.
Natural fiber, sustainable yarns were purchased from YarnLux ~ boutique de hilo Cuenca, Ecuador. https://yarnluxboutique.com
ORIGINAL Eco-Pins are larger and heavier items handmade from sustainable or vintage materials / quilted.
UNIQUE Eco-Jewelry, shown by one original pin in several locations on this page, are smaller, lighter items handmade from sustainable or vintage materials and only crocheted.
As a deep ecologist, I respect the spirits of the animals or plants that made the yarn possible.
Note:
The ORIGINAL Crocheted Quilted Pins are made as follows: free-form crocheted pieces, three quilted fabrics, and contrasting colorful quilt cotton fabric are chosen. All pieces are hand-stitched together, have added accessories, and the pin is hand-stitched on the back.
2. The UNIQUE Mini Jewelry is only crocheted yarn, accessories, and a lighter pin.
I, Jacquie Mackenzie, am a fiber artist and caregiver for my husband. He’s a 100% disabled Purple Heart Awarded Vietnam Veteran. His health challenges require us to live in Ecuador, South America. There is no government postal service. I have recently found two reliable, reasonably priced delivery options. At age 79, I cannot “Wait for my art to be discovered.” Therefore, on this site, the retail price is the item's market value, and the sale price is my effort to make it more affordable for you while increasing my visibility and creating unique, high-quality handmade items that I can mail to you from Ecuador.
Shipping is a major challenge. I am using a human “mule” for $ 6.00 each, as corporate shippers charge $70 to $200+ per item. Be patient, I will keep you informed via email, as your purchase might take two months to arrive.
Core Values
• Creativity
• Learning
• Spirituality
• Honesty
• Empathy
Expressing my creativity helps me relax from the day-to-day stresses of life, so I can dive into learning/research. My spirituality/empathy has driven me to devote over 40 years to publicly advocating for environmental protections. Also, since the 1960’s, I have volunteered in direct assistance to those who are economically marginalized and treated poorly due to bias for skin color, social class, culture, gender, sexual preferences, disabilities, faith, legal records, or more. I do not aspire to halt climate change or reverse the damage already done to our planet. However, I feel that greater honesty about our global environmental situation may help slow the damage and encourage more people to make small or large changes in how they live. My Fiber Art is a reminder to honor Mother Earth.
The best things in life are handmade.
Anyone wanting a lighter pin on the quilted pieces, just ask, and I will exchange pins or attach both pins if requested, before shipping; no charge.
Learn about our latest pieces.
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Each is hand crocheted in Malabrigo Rios, a soft, strong, washable 100% Superwash Merino 4-ply or sport wool yarn that was hand-dyed in Peru in small batches of 10. Most of the trinkets, antique buttons, or gemstones have been owned for a decade or longer.
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Shipping from Mexico is NOT an issue. Shipping from Ecuador is a major hurdle that we are working to overcome through a number of channels. We will do everything possible to keep you updated and to be honest about what we have been told is an accurate date.
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Jolene makes most of her income on custom orders. Please give her a photo with comments, and she will turn out a masterpiece.
Jacquie is an expert with yarn, fabric, and accessories. She loves a challenge! Send an image and describe your ideal outcome for a positive result.
Help A Veteran's Wife Support Herself via Sustainable Fiber Art
I need retirement income until the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issues survivor benefits. I have never been concerned about retirement income because of my childhood relationship with four diseases. Statistics said I'd die between 35 and 50 years old. I had Rheumatic Fever (1952-1955), ulcerative colitis (since age 16), Complex PTSD (since age 16), and both my maternal grandmother (at 34) and my mother (65) died of breast cancer. However, on January 22, 2026, I turned 79!
As time is NOT on my side, I'd like you to help me promote my fiber art quickly so that I can earn a modest income for the rest of my life, in case the U.S. Veterans Administration revises its policies regarding survivors' benefits. We have a modest overhead even though we own no real property, no car, and no life insurance. I can manage a monthly income of $1,500 when I am a widow to cover rent, utilities, health and burial insurance, transportation, and food. We live in Ecuador, South America, with a firm rental contract, solar power, numerous sustainable choices, and I grow a great deal of what I eat.
We moved to Ecuador for clean air, as Agent Orange exposure (1968-1974) in the Vietnam War scarred my husband's lungs. He is currently 85 yrs. with 17 diseases that are being cared for, have taken our savings as V.A. service-connected reimbursement for medical care is unreliable. He has had three heart attacks, four heart surgeries, and five strokes. Upon his death, the U.S. Veterans Administration reports that the wait to receive a survivor's check is six months or longer. My husband, a dear friend, Jolene, and I have “Paid it forward” since 1992 through a nonprofit. Will you please look over our nonprofit website and see my Fiber Art and Jolene's paintings? If you like what you see, please pass the link on to art lovers and eco-conscious friends.
Have Questions?
summerlandvoluteers@gmail.com SUBJECT LINE: Fiber Art Question
Whatsapp English (593) 99 144 4166