Endure Upcycled Designs

Hi, I’m Karen 👋 Artist. Maker. Curator. Costume creator. And the hands behind Endure Upcycled Designs (est. 2011). I transform reclaimed materials into wearable art—altered plaid shirts, denim, and textiles—using cyanotype and screen printing with my original artwork. My mixed media work explores fabric mosaics, collage, and assemblage, always rooted in the idea that old materials still have stories to tell. I come from generations of makers. Long before “zero waste” had a name, it was simply how things were done—taken apart, reimagined, and made new again. That legacy lives in everything I create. In 2026, I stepped into the role of Curator at the Foyer Gallery in the Squamish Public Library, supporting local artists and building community through art. @foyer.gallery_squamish You’ll find me this season at markets, exhibitions, and behind the scenes creating costumes for local youth musical theatre—five productions a year, all made from reclaimed materials 🎭 @squamishfarmersmarket @whistlerfarmersmarket @squamishacademyofmusic ✨ 2026 Highlights: • Anonymous Art Show – Whistler • Squamish + Whistler Farmers Markets • Bespoke Market + Circle Craft + more • Musicals: Oliver + Beauty & the Beast @artswhistler @squamish.arts @the.bespokemarket @circlecraftmarket My work ships worldwide via Etsy 🌎 Thanks for being here, whether you’ve followed me for years or just found my work 💛 📸 Thanks @ninalaflammephotography #EndureUpcycledDesigns #UpcycledFashion #SlowFashion #WearableArt #SquamishArtists TextileArt MixedMediaArt SustainableStyle Cyanotype CanadianArtist

🌞✨ 2026 SUMMER MARKET SCHEDULE ✨🌞 It’s official… you can find me out in the wild all season long! 🙌 I’m so excited to share where I’ll be popping up with my upcycled designs, art, and all the good creative vibes this summer 💛♻️ 📍 Squamish Farmers Market Most Saturdays | Apr 4 – Oct 24 @squamishfarmersmarket 📍 SEEK Bespoke Market – Squamish Friday Apr 17 & Saturday Apr 18 @the.bespokemarket 📍 Whistler Farmers Market Sundays | May 17 – Oct 11 @whistlerfarmersmarket Come say hi, try things on, flip through my art, and see what’s new this season 👀✨ (And yes… there will be fresh pieces, one-of-a-kind finds, and maybe a few surprises 😉) Save this post so you always know where to find me! ✨ I’ve got a few more market applications in the works… stay tuned for updates! #SquamishFarmersMarket #WhistlerFarmersMarket #SeekBespokeMarket #SquamishBC #WhistlerBC BCMarkets ShopLocalBC MeetTheMaker UpcycledFashion SlowFashion ArtMarket HandmadeInCanada

Opening Day at the Whistler Farmers Market today! 🌿☀️ Sunday, May 17 | 11am–4pm It’s a beautiful day to head up to Whistler! ⛰️ The market is open and the village is buzzing with spring activities. ❄️ Blackcomb is still open for spring skiing 🚵 Mountain biking season is underway ⛳ Golf courses are open 🎨 Arts Whistler Children's Festival is happening Come on up and make a day of it — stroll the market, enjoy the mountains, and support local makers! 💛 @Whistlerfarmersmarket

@whistlerfarmersmarket 🌿 The wait is over — Opening Weekend of the Whistler Farmers’ Market is here! 🌿 @whistlerfarmersmarket Join us this Sunday, May 17 from 11 AM–4 PM in the Upper Village Stroll as we kick off another season of local flavours, handmade goods, early season farm offerings, sweet treats, live music by @jennamaecreative , and fun community vibes. 🥯🍯🕯️🎨 This Sunday’s vendor lineup is packed with incredible local makers, growers, bakers, and creatives – new and returning vendors! Come shop local, support small businesses, and celebrate the start of market season with us 💜 📍 Upper Village Stroll 🗓 Sunday, May 17 ⏰ 11 AM – 4 PM Swipe to see the full vendor lineup ➡️

Studio day today! 🎨🐑 I’m screen printing Sheep designs onto upcycled kids shirts to bring to the markets this weekend — inspired by the fabulous sheep at North Arm Farm in Pemberton. @northarmfarm You can find me this weekend at: • Squamish Farmers Market — Saturday May 16, 9–2 @squamishfarmersmarket • Whistler Farmers Market — Sunday May 17, 11–4 @whistlerfarmersmarket Lots of one-of-a-kind upcycled pieces, art prints, patches, and handmade goods coming with me! 🩷

A little peek behind the scenes of 🎩✨ Oliver! ✨🎩 Backstage was filled with quick costume changes, excited giggles, and so much talent and heart. It’s always such a privilege creating costumes for the amazing kids in the Squamish Academy of Music Broadway or Bust Musical Theatre Program. So proud of this hardworking cast and all the magic they created on stage last weekend. 🖤 @squamishacademyofmusic

What an incredible weekend watching these talented young performers bring Oliver! to life 🎭✨ A huge congratulations to all the students in the Squamish Academy of Music Broadway or Bust Kids Musical Theatre Program on their year-end show this past Saturday May 9. From the youngest performers to the oldest, these kids work so incredibly hard and pour so much heart into every rehearsal and performance. Ages 6 to 16, and every one of them shined on stage ❤️ This marks my 15th year creating costumes for this amazing program, and it continues to be such a privilege and honour to be part of it. Watching the students grow in confidence, creativity, and teamwork year after year is truly special. A big thank you to Melissa Braun and the wonderful teachers who make the entire experience so fun, supportive, and inspiring for the kids. Your passion shows in every detail. Bravo everyone 👏✨ @squamishacademyofmusic

Big news over here — we’re checking off one of our biggest goals and I’m so excited to finally share it! 🎉 We’re opening a Shopify online store where you’ll be able to shop a variety of Endure Upcycled Designs pieces that have previously only been available in person at markets. From upcycled plaid shirts and handmade accessories to mixed media art and sustainable gifts, you’ll soon be able to browse and shop from home anytime. Visit endureupcycleddesigns.com to sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know when we launch! Thank you so much for supporting handmade, sustainable, local art and design — it truly means the world to me ❤️

Gorgeous day yesterday at North Arm Farm in Pemberton 🌿☀️ Thank you to NAF for hosting such a beautiful Mother’s Day Brunch and Artisan Market. It was so lovely spending the day surrounded by mountains, good food, and amazing local makers. I also got to hang out with my favourite vendor buddies @hollowtree1871 and @lazymaisiecreates 💛 Erik, Charisa, and Jazzmine came to visit and I’m so grateful for our time together ❤️ Thank you to all the lovely new people who stopped by my booth and took something home. Your choice to shop local and support sustainably handmade truly makes a difference ✨ #NorthArmFarm #PembertonBC #MothersDayMarket #ArtisanMarket #SupportLocalBC Pemberton SeaToSky EndureUpcycledDesigns

Happy Mother’s Day! 🩷 I’m at North Arm Farm today for their Mother’s Day Brunch & Artisan Market Sunday May 10 • 10am–3pm Come enjoy the beautiful mountain views, shop local makers, and treat yourself to Eggs Benedict at their incredible farm-to-table restaurant 🌿🍳 Meet the sheep that inspired my Sheep art prints 🐑✨ These sweet faces became the inspiration behind my hand-printed designs featured on Kids Shirts, Plaid Pajama Pants, and Linen Patches that you can sew onto your own clothing for a special handmade touch. Come say hello, enjoy the farm, and meet the real-life muses behind the prints!

A special sewing repair story to share 🪡 This beautiful wool Pendleton blanket came to me from Daniele for a repair. It’s a treasured wedding gift that unfortunately got chewed by her dog. Thankfully, I found the perfect matching piece of wool felt in my repair bin — salvaged from an old wool jacket — and carefully created a new binding piece to mend the damaged area. Now it’s ready to be loved again for many more years ❤️ I always enjoy helping bring well-loved textiles back to life, especially pieces that hold memories and meaning. You can drop off your sewing repairs or hemming projects at my booth: ✨ Saturdays at the Squamish Farmers Market | 9am–2pm ✨ Sundays at the Whistler Farmers Market in Whistler | 11am–4pm (starting May 17) You’re also welcome to DM me to arrange a studio drop-off appointment in downtown Squamish. @squamishfarmersmarket @whistlerfarmersmarket @downtownsquamish @thelocalsboard

It's been a costume whirlwind in my studio this week in preparation for Oliver Sat May 9. One day only! @squamishacademyofmusic Broadway or Bust (BOB) is Squamish Academy of Music’s signature youth musical theatre program and a long-standing part of the local performing arts community. This Saturday, our BOB kids hit the stage with their spring musical performance of "Oliver!" If you saw last spring's "Annie" or this summer's "The Little Mermaid" you know that this isn't your average youth theatre. You will be wowed by the talent and passion demonstrated by these young performers. The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a young orphan, escapes a harsh workhouse and journeys to London in search of belonging. Along the way, he encounters a lively cast of characters—from the clever Artful Dodger and the mischievous pickpockets led by Fagin, to the kind-hearted Mr. Brownlow, who offers Oliver a glimpse of the family he’s always longed for. But danger follows close behind, as the formidable Bill Sikes and the compassionate Nancy are drawn into a struggle that could change Oliver’s future forever. Oliver! JR. is filled with beloved songs like “Consider Yourself,” “Food, Glorious Food,” and “Oom-Pah-Pah,” making it a joyful and memorable showcase of our young performers’ talents. Don’t miss this production full of energy, and heart. With music you’ll recognize and leave humming, and a story that celebrates kindness, resilience, and the importance of looking out for one another, Oliver Jr. is a theatrical experience the whole family will love. Grab your tickets and come be part of the magic!