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A colorful and creative life.

Alena Garashi Applerose is a maker and art educator living in the South Toe River Valley. 

Her works are heavily influenced by the natural world surrounding her home under the Black Mountain ridgeline; her family, cultural traditions and the symbols that are a part of it; and the ideas of reduce, reuse, recycle being included in the artistic process of her making. 

Alena believes that life is meant to be adorned: body, mind and home. She accomplishes this task with handmade jewelry, hats and clothing; with illustrations, paintings and prints; and with useful household objects capturing the beauty of nature.