Too good to throw away

I have a fairly large stash of ribbons. If there’s a ribbon on a gift, I keep it. If there’s a ribbon decorating a product I’ve bought, I keep it.

While going through the stash recently I found some pieces of pink ribbon, each with a pretty button. They came attached to the price labels on some clothes I bought ages ago. I can’t remember whether the clothes were from Monsoon or Laura Ashley, but presumably the retailer wanted to use something other than plastic to attach the label to the clothing (good work!).

The ribbons were too good to throw away and so into the stash they went. They have now been re-used to hang Christmas tree decorations I’ve made from clay (see the tree on the left for the ribbon/ button combo I mentioned. The other ribbon came from the stash).

Here are two more examples. You can see that the larger decoration got a little scuffed-up after it’d baked, which taught me to be more careful with them! I’m not too worried though, as I doubt the marks will be visible when the decoration is on a tree.

I really enjoy making with clay and I hope to undertake some more projects soon.

War on waste

Like many people, I’ve been thinking about ways to reduce the amount of stuff I send to landfill. I’ve always tried to recycle as much as possible, but a change in my local council’s policy has forced me to do more. Where I live, the council will collect just 2 black bin bags per household, per fortnight. I have to admit, it has forced me to change my behaviour.

One change I’ve made is to switch from buying make-up removal wipes to using reusable discs. My friend, Georgeta makes and sells fabric discs, and so they were easy for me to source.

Georgeta is passionate about sustainability and she’s helping me rethink my use of disposable plastics. I know I’m not the only one looking for tips on how to lead a life with less waste, and so I invited Georgeta to pass on some tips to us all…

‘Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your products. I’ve started using your cotton discs for make-up removal. What inspired you to make them?’

Thank you to you too! I am glad you made the change! I am thrilled every time I make a change like that (cotton discs, produce bags, sanitary pads, toilet wipes, shampoo and soap bars…), one step a the time.

I am focused on making products that are kind for the planet and recycle and repurpose fabrics as much as I can. I had lots of small pieces and scraps from other projects, and some beautiful baby dresses from my friends, and I was thinking how best to use them. The idea of make-up removal cotton discs popped into my head and there they are!

‘You live in Cornwall. Does living by the sea have an impact on your goal to live in a way that damages the environment as little as possible, and to help others do the same?’

Yes and no. I grew up with a sense of reuse and repurpose in all areas in my family, however living by the sea you really see the consequences of our makings. I do beach cleaning whenever I walk by, as well as with environmental groups, and it is heart -breaking. I am so happy to see that more people are taking action that keeps our planet in mind.

‘Does any of the fabric you use for your products come from charity shops?’

Absolutely… Every time I see something I can use in my products, I always do. Sometimes, I look at an item and my mind flies to what I will make with it. It is a great way to purchase fabric as it benefits at many levels: the charity have a sale, I have a beautiful fabric and reuse it to give it a new life, and the final customer will feel the benefit of the product and indirectly helping the charities too.  

‘Could you tell us about other items you make?’

This year my main focal point is the zero waste products like reusable make-up removal cotton discs, reusable produce bags, sanitary pads, and I have a few ideas of similar products to develop. They bring me so much joy and satisfaction in making them. I will also be making some bunting and bags out of recycled fabric.

‘How do you sell the items you make?’

Family, friends, and acquaintances are my first customers, I feel so chuffed to receive their feedback and love for my products! Some of my orders come directly from Facebook, and some from my Etsy shop. Just recently one of my zero waste local shops started selling some of my products in store, and I am currently in talks with another zero waste shop, this time an online one.

‘Could you share your top upcycling tip, to help me reduce waste?’

One of my favourites is to reuse old t-shirts that are at the end of their lives. I cut them up into approx 15 cm squares and use them as wipes. For my purse – dry and have a spray with antiseptic liquid or tea tree and soapy water, it is always handy to clean your hands when nothing else is available, especially when you have children.

I did the same for wet toilet wipes, this time a small batch sits in a container – dampen with tea tree soapy water (I made this by mixing 3 cups of boiling water, 2 tbsp of natural liquid soap or 1 tbsp flakes, 1 tbsp liquid coconut or almond oil, 24 drops of tea tree oil [keeps the germs and mould away], mix well). I dampen the amount of wipes I need for a week, the others sit dry with the remaining liquid ready to replenish. My son loves them, so do we!

If you’d like to learn more about products made by Georgeta, you can find her business, HandMade Tales, on Facebook, Twitter and etsy.