With the ever-increasing recognition that our planet can neither provide endless resources nor absorb endless waste, a cultural shift has begun.  Maria and her co-organizers have set out to make it their mission to address the rest of our “junk”.  She is part of the Upcycle Alameda Meetup group in Alameda, California which brings people together focusing on finding the beauty in junk, by using discards and second-hand materials as a starting point for creation.  ‘Making-sessions’ start by opening minds and then integrate skill-building to empower artists & craftspeople to use tools to make whatever they imagine.