It’s not much of a secret that I love the idea of upcycling.  I love the idea of making something from nothing.  The whole thing fits in so neatly with crafting.

vintage button box

The Seventies

It started when I was a teenager in the seventies, I think, when I made skirts from my brother’s outgrown wide-legged pants and handbags from old jeans. I dabbled in machine embroidery, papier mache, applique and patchwork.  Upcycling wasn’t new then and it isn’t new now.  I still get excited by its massive potential though!

Tumble Drier Fluff (er . . . really?!)

It’s possible I may have been inspired by a mother who threw nothing away if it had any kind of potential for some sort of future use, however unlikely.

I laughed when Mum once saved all her tumble drier fluff for me, telling me it would be good for stuffing cushions.  In actual fact, tumble drier fluff is NOT at all suitable for stuffing cushions, it’s highly flammable.  But the irony is that I do save all our tumble drier fluff nowadays – I stuff it into old paper bags and use it for firelighters.  It does the job perfectly.

My Work . . .

Most of my work now isn’t recycled, but I’m drawn back to recycled handmade goodies all the time.  This post is my way of sharing some of the amazing ideas out there with you.

Pallets

I’m obviously not the only one who sees these lying around and wants to do something creative with them.

pallet bench with what must be a gorgeous view

Look at these amazing pallet projects from Bettyjoy.

It’s not just about pallets and tumble drier fluff though!  I adore . . .

Driftwood

Anyone who knows me well will know of my small obsession with driftwood.  One of my daughters in particular was very embarrassed, as a teenager, to have a mum who collected driftwood shamelessly.  Many a time she hissed into my ear: “Stop it, Mum, people are watching!“.  Later on she learned to pretend she wasn’t with me at all.

I made many mirrors with driftwood frames at one time.  I made a small one just recently

driftwood mirror

and I think maybe I’ll be making more quite soon.

This interview with Kirsty Elson had me all excited about the different design possibilities of driftwood.  After reading it, I needed to check out Kirsty’s blog and website which did not disappoint in any way.

driftwood cottage and washing line

I love her designs.  I love the recycled element, the seaside influences, the shabby but gorgeously simple beauty.

I can feel a trip to the seaside coming on.  Fish and chips and ice cream

ice cream

driftwood and pebbles!  A day or two of inspiration!

pebbles

Printed Paper

I have a love of text.  Especially text in art and craft.  Text where you don’t expect it.  Random text.  I know not everyone loves this one: I once taught a class of ladies who clearly thought I was a complete nutter.  They wanted to learn more techniques for decoupaging their handmade cards, I wanted to teach them a bit of creative recycling.  They didn’t get it.  I’ve taught other classes where they loved it.  We’re all different.

bits of old dictionary contributing to art

Texture

One of the things that is so good about old stuff is that it’s got its own set of qualities before you even start.  The raw material can even suggest the finished piece.  Old textiles, papers, wood and card all has texture, shape and a bit of personality.  Mix them up, add a few stitches, and you’ve got a fabulously tactile, individual  piece.

frayed denim

I’ve got a growing collection of old keys, fabrics, paper, pebbles and – well, just stuff.  I have to hide some of it away.  Can you imagine the reaction of Britain’s Tidiest Man (who has the misfortune of sharing a house and life with me) to my rusty musty collections?  He’s learned not to dig too deep in my studio.

pebbles

So . . .

Am I going down the wrong path at the moment?  It’s a valid question, given that the recycled element of design excites me so much but … I don’t think so. I do love the painting and lettering I do for my website customers. However, I do have a feeling I should be treading several paths at once and the driftwood, pebbles, fabrics and buttons are calling to me

I think the aim will be to bring upcycling more to the front of my work.  Watch out for fabrics, driftwood, buttons, and old maps and books.  Oh, and rusty old keys.

rusty old keys

At some point, anyway.