Craft Candy

My craft is inspired by memories of playing in Grandmas Quality Street (and Roses!) button tin and her homely hand made patchwork quilts. Also from my huge collections of vintage flowery aprons, old dresses, pillow cases, colourful doilies and vintage fabric to name a few. Every swatch of patterned fabric or even a single beautifully formed button holds a memory. I love the radiant honesty in these materials. From a basic tool, a needle and thread, I make vintage textile jewellery composed from scraps of memories and sewn together with love and care. Each piece an individual piece of personal art. What drives me is the notion of finding and caring again for something discarded and once lost, the art of salvage and recreation. So by collecting, caring for and reusing discarded vintage materials in my work I try to create a nostalgic feel from things I relate to in other peoples history. Finding little treasures in other peoples junk. I aim to challenge the concept of kitsch, seeing beyond the gaudy and tacky. Creating fusions of colour, pattern and texture to create a bright and beautiful experience. I also conduct re-cycled vintage textile based craft workshops in schools, community projects, galleries and craft groups. Ranging from applique wall hangings, patchwork banners, puppets, bunting, peg bags, purses, quirky little lavender bags, aprons, all sorts!