Update for Creative Upcycling
It seems a long time since I sat down and taken the time to write a blog post. Its not procrastination (honestly!). I have spent the time since I last blogged trying (and failing at times) new ideas for my upcycling business.
For example I love painted furniture: who doesent? but it takes hours to do it right and not have a drippy poorly finished mess on your hands. I really wanted to be able to offer painted items with upholstered seats or cushions but have realised that the materials and time involved would make those pieces soooo expensive to sell, that my poor customers would think I was having a laugh! I am leaving painted furniture to those who have time and maybe some sort of spray facilities that enable them to produce those beautiful finishes I love.
So I hear you cry what have you been doing in all that time? Well so glad you asked me that. I have taken some time with my web designer Girl Friday Web Services to do a website with a shop facility so you can buy some of the range of items I make. I wanted a safe secure way for my customers to shop, or get in touch with requests for personalised items. Just before Christmas 2015 I launched my new site and I hope you will agree the images done by Jim Hawkins Ltd are lovely and reflect what I like about my products.
I have managed over the past year to source Harris Tweed which was a byproduct from a furniture upholsterer near Manchester. This tweed is new but is in effect the offcuts so come in strange sizes and shapes, I dont know what colours I am going to get and to top it all it arrives in a huge sack. I hadn't realised when I opened the sack I would:
* Never fit it all back inside again
* Be hoovering wool lint up for weeks
* Be challenged to make lots of different sized products
I have (I think) managed to settle on a range of products to fit the sizes of tweed I have available.
Larger sizes become iPad or Samsung covers, they are lined with soft vintage cotton. I like to cover buttons with tweed or if I have a beautiful vintage button I use those in the construction.
Slightly smaller pieces become either the covers of hip flasks or coin purses, which I line with vintage liberty print fabric. I managed to source some lovely vintage Liberty fabric when on a visit to Bishops Castle. I am drawn like a magpie to second hand & vintage shops where you can often find beautiful things that have never been used.
Hip flasks have proved to be very popular as the covers can be removed for hand washing. I may upon request provide extra covers for a hip flask if you have previously bought one from Creative Upcycling.
The smaller sizes are made into keyrings with the addition of a suede or leather backing which makes the product more durable and cufflinks which have been a huge success for mens gifts but also increasingly for women who want to wear a smart shirt.
In my next blog I will be sharing my tips on how to make hair clips that are pretty and unique and can be worn by all ages.
Creative Upcycling, green, sustainable and made with love x
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