CASSOPOLIS — Artist Deb Wiggins can often find inspiration in almost anything. From a unique pattern on a willow tree to a particularly striking sweater, it is anyone’s guess what will inspire one of her next creations.

“Inspiration is so elusive,” she said. “I think we can find inspiration in nature or something we wear or something you might see. Of course, the best inspiration comes in the minute before you fall asleep at night.”

Wiggins is a mixed-media artist based out of Cassopolis. Using found items and collage materials, she decorates boxes, wedding décor and card boxes, windows and wall art. Her work can be found for sale at the Artisan Shoppe, 149 S. Broadway St., Cassopolis, or custom pieces can be ordered by calling Wiggins at (269) 462-9343.

“I love to use found objects,” she said. “I love to run along and find feathers and stones and glass and anything I can use on the ground.”

Originally from Minnesota, Wiggins said she has been creating collages since she was a child. She can distinctly recall her mother bringing home a small magazine, Pack-O-Fun, and using as inspiration to start making art out of everyday items.

“I’ve told so many people about this, and only one person — and they were my age — remembered that little magazine,” Wiggins, now in her 70s, recalls with a laugh. “[Pack-O-Fun] encouraged people to take everyday items like the center of tin foil roll and buttons and things you find on the road and manipulate them into something artistic.”

Though she has been making mixed-media art for most of her life, it was not until roughly 25 years ago that she began to sell her work after being encouraged by people in her life to whom she had gifted crafted items.

Each one of the custom boxes she creates is planned according to her customers’ interests and preferred color theme. Often, she adds in a Bible verse or famous quote, with her favorites coming from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Albert Einstein and Picasso. The entire collaging process can take 12 to 14 hours.

Though long hours of work go into creating a piece, Wiggins said she enjoys the process.

“I get a sense of peace and accomplishment,” she said. “You have a finished project that is eye appealing. It’s like something a kid scribbled on a piece of paper that wasn’t there before, but now it is.”

Though she loves creating her pieces, Wiggins said the real joy of her work is that it can bring happiness to others.

“I want [customers] to come away with something that will enhance their lives in some positive way such as peace or wisdom or joy,” she said. “If they walk away with any of those, I’m happy.”