Meegan Czop of Rebuilding Exchage

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt
Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

Rebuilding Exchange / Crafted in Carhartt

I think there are a lot of women (myself included) who often feel as though they are without a voice; be it in the workplace, the construction site, on the range, in social media, or during everyday life. It can be infuriatingly overwhelming to stand against the dialogue that already dictates those venues and arenas: the ideas that men are better leaders, women can’t perform as well in tough, blue-collar jobs, or even that women are better suited to clerical tasks rather than being out on the field.

Women, let’s stick together and raise our voices simultaneously to create a new discussion. We are capable. We are strong. We can swing a hammer or wield a crowbar. We can be contractors and painters and cattle ranchers and mechanics and engineers. We can do whatever job we want. We can lead, and we can do it well. WE CAN.

That brings me to Meegan Czop and the folks at Rebuilding Exchange. Many women there fill roles that are typically considered a man’s job. Meegan spends time on the ground scavenging through demolition sites for materials that can be resold through the non-profit to the public for re-use. It’s a tough job and she’s often the only woman to step foot in the work zone.

I tagged along on a trip she made to a Chicago warehouse that was ruined by fire a few months ago. With a jump in her step, she explores areas that would make most people nervous. A job that requires an adventurous spirit requires a special person. Meegan is changing the dialogue of what women are capable of with the elbow grease she puts into every day, the hard work she does to preserve and better the community, and the way she defies stereotypes with confidence and competence.

Meegan is wearing: Carhartt Women’s Force Performance Verdon Polo & Series 1889 Slim-Fit Double Front Denim Dungaree

How to Reclaim Red Clay

How to Reclaim Red Clay // Crafted in Carhartt
How to Reclaim Red Clay // Crafted in Carhartt
How to Reclaim Red Clay // Crafted in Carhartt
How to Reclaim Red Clay // Crafted in Carhartt
How to Reclaim Red Clay // Crafted in Carhartt
How to Reclaim Red Clay // Crafted in Carhartt

How to Reclaim Red Clay // Crafted in Carhartt
How to Reclaim Red Clay // Crafted in Carhartt
How to Reclaim Red Clay // Crafted in Carhartt

 

As you may well know, Carhartt women are known for being innovative. So when it comes to craftiness, don’t be wasteful and think green. For those pottery lovers who want to be resourceful and re-use scrap clay, take a look at this tutorial Victoria from Pewabic Pottery is demonstrating above.

How to Reclaim Clay: (in other words, how to recycle dry clay bits back into a workable material)
1. Soak dry bits, chunks, failed projects of clay in water.
2. Soak for a few hours or days, depending on dryness of clay. Stir mixture with your hand.
3. Scoop out rehydrated clay onto plaster block.
4. Make sure clay is even thickness on the plaster block to allow for even water absorbtion.
5. Once clay is no longer tacky scrape it off the plaster block into a medium size pile.
6. Wedge it. Rock clay back and forth in kneading motion until air bubbles are compressed and clay feels pliable.

Victoria’s workwear: Carhartt Women’s Short-Sleeve Signature Tee & Slim Fit Nyona Jean