Since 2009, I have been learning about something called Innovation Engineering as a method for making innovation into a predictable process rather than an epiphany that bonks you in the head. I am a HUGE fan and use the methods to create new ideas for Trashmagination and at work.

Recently, the folks who make Innovation Engineering created a program whereby you could become certified. There are Green Belts, Blue Belts and Black Belts. I am currently a Blue Belt working on becoming a Black Belt.

My colleague Schelli Dittmann and her partner Aimee Dobrzeniecki recently completed all the requirements to become Black Belts. I was so proud of them and wanted to help them celebrate. So I used my newly minted weaving skills and made them each a black belt. I wove them from a recycled black t-shirt cut into strips. I sewed a label on each, and then on the back, I sewed seed beads into braille for the words Innovation Engineering.

I managed to get these woven and sewn while preparing for my own Black Belt class, which was a bit crazy because I was trying to watch 16 hours of training video while also doing all the regular life stuff. But I was very pleased with the final belts. It is important that they know how much they inspire me every day, and they know how grateful I am that they shared Innovation Engineering with me.