I have been designing and making Reconstructive products since 2003, and thought it was about time that I gave my wares some online presence.
Reconstructive products are paper based artworks and gift products made using recycled materials including household cardboard packaging waste, scrap/ misprinted paper, junk mail, found wallpaper sourced from around the Stoke-on-Trent area (from derelict homes, renovation projects, skips, charity shops, household clearance companies)...along with antique metal beads, old buttons, and sewing threads sourced from charity shops and car boot sales. I also use Eco-friendly materials such as natural resin based glues, natural pigment paints, paints made from plant and vegetable dyes, and bio-degradable packaging.
I have been inspired to start this blog after finding some old pieces from 2003 onwards and looking through old sketchbooks at the design process at the time.I find it fascinating how my products have developed and this is due to what materials were available to me at the time, and my interests. My pieces do totally rely on what materials are available to me and how I can be resourceful with what I have. I want to translate this process through the blog.
So for starters, here's an idea of the type of work I began producing in 2003, using recycled newspapers, inks and plant and veg based dyes, antique metal beads and print.
I also began making little sketchbooks with retro fabric that was coated in beeswax, at the time I used these as personal sketchbooks, but later I developed them for sale.
Left: Sketchbook page for card designs, 2004.
Right: Developments from 2005, Card made from painted newspaper collage and dyed newspaper, antique beads
Left: Sketchbook made from salvaged wallpaper, coated with beeswax, 2006
Right: Gift cards made from salvaged wallpaper and antique metal beads, 2006
Right: Gift cards made from salvaged wallpaper and antique metal beads, 2006
In 2007 I held my first stall at the Burslem Arts and Craft Festival and have been a regular stall holder there ever since. I also hold stalls In Manchester, about twice a year and have some upcoming stalls in Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent- details will be posted soon....better get on with the making!
Here are some examples of current work from 2008-2009
