Meet Jocelyn Dickey | Maker & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jocelyn Dickey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jocelyn, how does your business help the community?
I’m proud to say that ‘Earth Day’ is every day for DickeySack. Our items are made from upcycled burlap coffee sacks and repurposed denim, with all the scraps being composted or recycled. Protecting planet Earth and reducing climate change by diverting waste from landfills, one coffee sack at a time. Eco-conscious thinking and eco-friendly living.

By upcycling and repurposing materials, I am using items that would otherwise end up in landfills. This helps both the community and the world. Making products with upcycled materials brings awareness to the buyer and allows them to give more thought to what they are consuming, being more conscious about their purchases and where they end up. Use less and produce less waste. In turn doing so may encourage others to do the same.

Lead by example. I’ve always been a firm believer that one person can make a difference. Small actions, even if you think they go unnoticed could leave an impact on someone. Unknowingly you could be encouraging another to make a change just by living your life doing what you’re passionate about. This then can multiply into more people doing the same. I support local businesses and causes that align with my morals and what I stand behind. I’m always thinking before I buy and instead of putting things in the trash, I look into how things can be upcycled or disposed of properly for example with hazardous items at the local LA Sanitation S.A.F.E. centers. A program I started using within the last few years is TerraCycle. They recycle the unrecyclable – everyday items that can’t be recycled like toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, disposable razors, straws, snack wrappers, coffee pods, Brita filters, pet food bags – to name a few; by grinding them down into plastic pieces and using them to make outdoor furniture, decking, watering cans and more!

When I began making things out of coffee sacks I did so because I love coffee and wanted to make something unique. In the process I was repurposing & upcycling. The more items I made the more I investigated how I could recycle or repurpose the leftover pieces. That’s how I started making coasters and coffee cup coozies. But there were still small unusable pieces. We compost our kitchen food scraps through LACompost, so I contacted the local community garden where we drop off and asked if I could compost the burlap, it is a natural fiber after all, and they said I could! The denim scraps I send to Blue Jeans Go Green where the collected denim is transformed into things like natural cotton fiber insulation. I then did some research for the other fabric pieces and found that I could recycle them through textile recycling organizations like FabScrap. I now also use any left-over fabric pieces to stuff cushion inserts for coffee sack pet beds I’ve started to make. Our dogs and cats love laying on the coffee sacks when I’m working on something which is how I came up with the idea to make the beds.

Did you know that most of the items we put in our recycling bin each week are never recycled? (Approx. only 30% of it gets recycled!) Instead of purchasing soaps – dish soap, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent, etc; and disposing of plastic containers, using reusable vessels and getting them filled at refillery places such as Sustain LA help reduce waste and single use plastics. So, each little bit we all contribute whether it be upcycling, repurposing or composting is one less thing that goes into a landfill and creates less carbon emissions. This also helps to create a chain reaction encouraging others to reduce their waste and take actions to save our planet.

During the pandemic I began to give more thought about living a more sustainable lifestyle and strive towards zero waste. When toilet paper was hard to find, and we didn’t know if a time would come where we couldn’t get any, my husband purchased a Tushy bidet, and we haven’t looked back ever since. We no longer need toilet paper, instead we use washable/reusable Tushy bamboo bum towels. I then started making reusable unpaper towels, napkins, tissues and reusable coffee filters! All of which can be washed and reused. Making the switch is the hardest part, but once you’ve made the change your old habits are a way of the past. Now if that’s too much too soon, bamboo toilet paper & paper towels are a better alternative to be environmentally friendly.

Through all of this I realized I’ve always unconsciously been upcycling. After college I used to make handbags & table runners from neckties that I picked up at thrift shops. I also used to make tote bags from Capri Sun juice pouches. I think perhaps it was something that originated in my childhood when my Mom would come up with craft ideas for me and my brother. She’d have us use items we had around the house like popsicle sticks or clothes pins to make things. I vividly remember gluing lentil beans onto a glass Orangina beverage bottle to make into a decorative vase. We were like ‘MacGyver’ with our use of everyday items. We always got creative.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I make my products from up-cycled coffee sacks and repurposed denim shirts – tote bags, clutch purses, table runners, pillows, Christmas stockings, coasters and coozies. What sets me apart is that my items are unique and different. Each item is custom-made and one-of-a-kind. I am also now making other items such as reusable coffee filters, unpaper towels and napkins, that I am selling on my Etsy shop.

Since what I make is such a niche item, finding the right platform has been my toughest challenge. When I would rent booth space at a local artisan fair it was chance that someone there would be in the market for my product. Even with providing signage not everyone understood what I made was upcycled from coffee sacks. Etsy has been the best fit so far since shoppers are seeking out handmade goods and search for the exact items they are looking for, whether it’s for themselves or a gift for a coffee lover who also likes the upcycled aspect of it.

I think what makes me most excited is when I’m talking to others about what I do and the ‘unpaper’ items that I make. It’s amazing when it can open someone’s eyes to how just a few little changes can make a big difference. I explain composting – how easy it is, how it works, and the concept that what comes from the earth goes back into the earth. And as a result, we have less trash to take out! We all can get stuck in our habits; but if people are willing to give it a try, I can help make it an easy switch with my sustainable living products. This is my true passion.

I’d have to say what I’m most proud of is how much I’ve grown. Being fortunate enough to have the opportunity to leave the corporate world to focus on my craft and explore my skills and interests. But it’s much more than just my creative outlet. Having struggled with depression and anxiety throughout my life it has also become my therapy, allows me to relax and gives me purpose.

One thing to share about my story is that my husband and I love to travel. We are out on the road often and always bring our furry children along on the adventures. We have two rescue dogs – Eddie, a cockapoo and Shep, a Westie Maltese. Eddie has been to 49 states and five countries; 35 State Capitols & 40+ National Parks (as have we!). Shep is a recent addition to our family in the last year and a half, so he is catching up with 34 states, 16 State Capitols & eight National Parks. We are very unconventional when it comes to travel. We have a vintage 1984 13’ Scamp fiberglass egg shaped camper that we tow with our 2010 Prius! We always venture off the beaten path, make connections with others along the way and support the local businesses. It truly is about the journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being such a vast and spread-out city, LA can be overwhelming and often misunderstood. Having a friend or local to show you around will give you a true feel/taste for the city and uncover some hidden gems. We’ve had friends that were in LA for work say they hated LA, but then they came for a visit with us, and it changed their mind after they saw a different side of the city, they could understand why we love it so much. Here’s a list of our go-to spots we take friends and family:

Places:
Barnsdall Art Park – For the views of the city, Hollywood sign and the Griffith observatory; home of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House (the first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site in LA) and LA Municipal Art Gallery. Enjoy wine tastings* on the west lawn Friday nights in the summer to raise funds for kids art programs (*This was Pre-COVID, they haven’t brought the tastings events back yet)
The Gamble House Tour – Pasadena (seen in Back to the Future and featured in other movies)
Griffith Observatory
Hollywood sign
Hollywood Reservoir – our favorite and closest place to run or bike in nature away from the city traffic and nice view of the Hollywood sign.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery – Cinespia Movie Screenings, Live Shows, Morning Yoga Sessions, a good place to go for a run and spot peacocks roaming the grounds.
Hollywood Farmers Market – every Sunday from 8am-1pm, some of the farmers travel as far as Fresno to bring local produce.
Mulholland Drive/ Hollywood Bowl Overlook
For shows or concerts: Hollywood Bowl/ Greek Theater/ Pantages
Amoeba Music/ The Record Parlor both are in Hollywood and have the largest new/ used vinyl selection!
Drive down Sunset Blvd.
Dodger Stadium – game
LACMA – La Brea Tarpits
The Getty
Huntington Library – Make sure to have lunch at the tea room!
Olvera St (Oldest Street in LA) and nearby Union Station – DTLA
Angels Flight – DTLA
The Bradbury Building – DTLA
Beverly Hills – Rodeo Drive
El Matador State Beach
Santa Monica Pier/ Venice Beach/ Venice Canals/Abbot Kinney

Eats:
Sugarfish and Kozu Nori – In my opinion it’s the best sushi and hand rolls in the city, hands down!
Uovo – fresh pasta made in Bologna
Bacon wrapped hotdog from a street vendor / Tail O’ the Pup hotdog / Pinks Hotdog
Shappy’s Pretzel – Philly born, LA bread!
Maury’s – classic New York style bagel in LA!
Musso & Frank’s – classic Hollywood
Cielito Lindo on Olvera St. for their famous taquitos
Grand Central Market (GCM) DTLA
Frogtown Brewery – local craft beer
Wax Paper Sandwiches in Frogtown
Goldburger – my favorite smashburger in LA
Coffee: GGET/G&B; Madlab in Hollywood
Homestate – Austin inspired breakfast tacos and more
In-N-Out Burger – animal style of course
Broad Street Oyster Company – at GCM, Malibu at Smorgasborg LA
Secret Pizza LA
Abbot’s Pizza Co. – A slice of the salad pizza with an everything bagel crust.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d have to say my Shoutout is trifold – My 6th grade Home Ec teacher, Mrs. Kashner for teaching me to sew. My Grandma for encouraging me to pursue my interest in sewing and lending me my Great Aunt Agnes’ sewing machine to do so. My husband for his unconditional/unwavering love and support to hone in on my creative side.

Website: www.dickeysack.com

Instagram: @dickeysack

Facebook: @dickeysack

Other: Email: jocelyn@dickeysack.com

Image Credits
Photo credit: Jocelyn & Matt Dickey