My family never threw anything away and I suppose that ethos stays with me. I’ve used reclaimed fabrics from the year dot – its just what I do. At some point I started making bags out of reclaimed fabrics for fun and that developed into a small business; selling them at All Saints Craft Market. I’ve made so many connections with people and I especially love making something special out of customers’ old clothes. I like to think that its them going out into the world when I sell the bags with their fabrics on. I love the ‘echoes of the past’ – not just the memories of the previous owner, but marks left in the denim from when I unpick the clothes. It challenges me to be creative, with what I have in front of me and feeds my love of serendipity. As well as bags I make big commissioned story mats for museums. I put loads of reclaimed fabrics on these – mostly old clothes from my family and friends. They have a secret significance for me and I like that aspect a lot. But most of all, its just really fun.
Description of Jenny’s artwork appearing in CirculART
Unique patchwork bags made from 100% reclaimed fabrics and fittings and mostly second-hand threads. Jenny enjoys making commissioned bags out of people’s old clothes.
Why Jenny chooses to use repurposed materials
It stimulates my creativity and connects me to people and the past. It makes me see objects afresh and value everything I have.