Ever since I dropped in on East London craft haven Fabrications I've been dying to speak to its owner, Barley Massey, and find out how she manages to combine her commitment to ethical and eco-friendly living with running the shop and studio space.
As well as running classes and selling materials, Barley sells her own line of original recycled products in the store. So I started by asking her about how long she's been involved in this thrifty and sustainable area of design.
Read on after the jump for the interview
CC: How long have you been working with recycled materials?
BM: started focussing on using recycled materials 10 years ago.
CC:What's been your best selling recycled product of all time?
BM: I would say my 'tube matting' (woven recycled bicycle inner tubes) as this fabric has been used in my 'off the shelf' cushions and floor mats and in many other applications which I've been commissioned to make - from counter covers, bar fronts, upholstery, floor cushions and costumes.
CC: Where do you source your materials from?
BM: I collect the inner tubes from a number of local (Hackney) bike shops waste - London Fields Cycles, Lock 7 and Bike yard east.
CC: What other pre-used fabrics would you like to work in if you could get a steady supply?
BM: I also enjoy working with softer materials, namely old clothes (suits, shirts) and accessories (ties, head scarves) These I source from St Joseph's Hospice and LMB textile recycling factory and private donations.
CC: What are your newest recycled products?
BM: My newest products are services: 'Remember Me' enables people to bring along clothes or textiles to be remade into personal and comforting furnishings for the home, special gifts for themselves / loved ones and long lasting memories.
Each commission is completely different dependant on what is brought to me, the memories that the garments or fabrics hold and the final object created. It has been a very touching and personal process for the clients and me and the transformation and joy the finnished objects bring is really rewarding.
My other newest product is my 'Not another rubbish Christmas' sustainable gift wrapping service which I offered at my shop 'Fabrications' and the 'Hidden Art' Design Fair and the Eco Design Fair (and has extended beyond Christmas!) which combines the Japanese art of 'Furoshiki' with vintage head scarves and textile embelishments.
CC: What are you doing when you're not in the shop? (lovely though it is!)
BM: Education plays an important part to my business. As well as the sessions I run at Fabrications on Sunday afternoons (in knitting, crochet and sewing) I am also out and about passing on textile skills and recycling ideas at various events, museums, schools, colleges and organisations.
