After working as a librarian for years, Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes, of Elkins Park, decided to turn her hobby of repurposing discarded books into eco-friendly handmade gifts into a business, writes Victoria Flexner for The Story Exchange.

She started mkc photography in 2009 to bring her work to a larger audience. She also wanted to create something from materials that were being thrown away and to build a small business that would hopefully one day help support her family.

Now all of the goals she set out for herself when starting her business are a reality.

Ciarlo-Hayes tells little stories in each piece of art she creates and she wants her customers to be transported into the worlds she builds.

“I want them to be excited to give our items as gifts or to collect them and keep them in their own homes,” she said. “I also want to continue to use only salvaged materials and our handmade labor.”

The artist has also turned her business into a family affair, with her now teenage children helping out with everything from sourcing and sanding to creating content for the website.

Read more about Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes at The Story Exchange by clicking here.