RECYCLE ~ REPURPOSE~ REUSE~ UPCYCLE
The most beautiful objects are those that have embedded personal stories and sentimental value. Creating a bag, a dress, a wallet, eye glasses, a shirt from your personal umbrella and/or clothes, or a Quilt from your child's old clothes gives a second life to the piece and an emotional connection far greater than a store-bought product.
Customers have sent boxes and boxes of old clothing to use for fresh designs. One customer used his grandfather's old shirts to make dresses for his mother and sisters as Christmas presents. Another client made a beautiful maternity dress for his wife from his two old shirts and another client made a bag for herself and her daughter from her husband's old jeans. So many people have clothes sitting in the back of their closet that are out of style, but are so emotionally attached to them and cannot bear to give them away, but if you Upcycle them into another wearable style, home accessories or art display they will always be with you.
Some people want to know exactly what the details will be like, if the piece of clothing has interesting pockets or details, it will definitely be incorporated into the bag or the item design chosen.
If you are unsure of whether your item will be suitable, it is best to email us a photo and we will let you know what is possible. If you are in the NYC area, it will be best to make an appointment for a consultation at the studio located in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn, NY.
An Upcycling Client Testimonial
I lost my father to cancer in September 2011, four months prior to meeting Catherine. I told Catherine that my mother was having a hard time seeing my father's clothes in the closet each day, so I asked her if she could make gifts for my family out of his clothes for the following Christmas. Catherine worked with me to come up with items that took into consideration the styles and ages of my family members — and the results were stunning. She kept the integrity of the fabrics, using every bit of each source item for the upcycled pieces.
When my husband and I surprised my family with the gifts, they were so touched by the idea and thrilled by Catherine's handiwork. My father’s best friend, who received a wallet, put it best when he said that he can now “carry my father in [his] back pocket every day.” Catherine has made that possible. She has given us all comfort with one-of-a-kind, functional items. Through her creativity and compassion, she gave me the greatest holiday season I can imagine — enabling me to give handmade lifelong gifts to those who miss their dad, husband, brother, grandpa, uncle and best friend. For that, I am forever grateful.
—Carla Rose Fisher, New York View pictures of items here: http://himanerad.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-12-22T15:00:00-05:00&max-results=3
