379: Amber Dohrenwend

Artistic Craftsmanship with Cardboard and Staples

Amber Doranland, an artist from Marquette, Michigan, specializes in creating sculptures using cardboard and recycled paper. Her unique sculptures, made primarily with cardboard, staples, and wire, often resemble wooden structures or baskets. She chooses to staple the cardboard instead of using hot glue, as she believes stapling is more akin to human-built construction. Amber's favorite tool is the Bostitch B8 plier stapler, which she finds revolutionary for working with cardboard due to its durability, ergonomics, and ability to handle a significant amount of material. She also relies on the Teske S240 type tin snips for cutting thick cardboard strips, as well as for removing staples if needed. The heavy-duty blades, offset design, and rubber-coated handles make them versatile and reliable. Additionally, Amber appreciates the Negeosaurus pliers, which have a unique toothed design, allowing her to grip and extract stripped screws or hold materials securely. Lastly, she utilizes a simple awl with a tapered point for creating holes in patterns and adding water drainage holes in recycled cartons.