MMU Futures Talk on Upcycling & Sustainability

Upcycling is...

Some of my fabric selection for repurposing by the students

creative flow

Items to be Upcycled

Choosing fabrics 

Paper beads

I recently found out about Stitched Up in Chorlton, an Eco Fashion hub for swap shops, workshops and tutorials. After speaking to the ladies there, they asked me to come on board with a workshop they were delivering at Manchester Metropolitan University as part of their MMU Futures Events. The theme of the workshop was Sustainability & Environment, with an emphasis on Upcycling, across all platforms, fashion/interiors/furniture. 

The students had a talk from myself, from Sara Han of Stitched up, and from a representative from Innospace  the start-up business incubator hub at MMU. They were then let loose on the materials and supplies to begin to form their initial ideas for their Upcycled pieces. They will then work on their items over the next 6 weeks with an exhibition of their work going on display at the end of June.

I can't wait to see what their finished pieces are, and it has really inspired me to apply more upcycled elements into my own work - and to be creative again! 

Photos courtesy of Anca Asmarandei www.behance.net/asmarandei

Creative Futures Week at Glyndwr Uni

A couple of months ago, the chap behind Salle Piere Lamy who works at Glyndwr University put my name forwards to be part of their Creative Futures Week - I was flattered to be considered and put together a bit of a slide show presentation, telling the story of my own creative journey. 

I remember being on the other side of the lecture, so I tried to keep it short and sweet, talking about my own Uni experience, previous design jobs, living in India and the ups and downs of setting up my own business. 

Thanks to all the students who came to my talk, and I look forward to seeing some of them when I open the studio for the Helfa Gelf arts trail in September.