Marsene Feldt of Pleasant Grove holds up a tray of decorative paper dragonfly magnets she fashioned out of gum wrappers and nails for Lawrence’s fifth annual Spring Arts and Crafts Festival, set for Saturday at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, 21st and Harper streets.

Marsene Feldt fashioned this tray of decorative paper dragonfly magnets from gum wrappers and nails.

Marsene Feldt not only gets inspiration for her art from nature; she also uses it in her art.

Mixed among Feldt’s paintbrushes and palettes are cicadas, luna moths, even dung beetles, all perfectly preserved, and ready to become part of her next creation.

Feldt, an art teacher at Baldwin Junior High School, said she considers everything — from dead bugs to junk mail — as art supplies. And in an economy with flying prices, she may be onto something.

“I can’t not make art,” Feldt said. “It makes me who I am.” Which is why, when the price of art supplies started to climb, she started saving everything she could, and changing it into art.

She turns junk mail into handmade paper, which she used to create dozens of scenic collages. She transforms flat nails, soda tabs and gum wrappers into dragonfly magnets. And she uses free paint squares and stamps to create one-of-a-kind mini-murals.

All of which will be on sale on Saturday at Lawrence’s fifth annual Spring Arts and Crafts Festival at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds, 21st and Harper streets.

The festival, organized by Lawrence Parks and Recreation, invites local artists and crafts people to showcase and sell their work.

“Lawrence is an artsy community, so people love to come here,” said Duane Peterson, Lawrence Parks and Recreation special events supervisor. “This event brings people in to really showcase our city, and enhances the quality of life here in Lawrence.”