Even the casual

This week my car decided to have an existential crisis.  The long of it is that to facilitate a complete recovery I would have to spend almost the exact amount of its total worth.  The short is that I can slap a bandaid on it for only half.  And so I'm waiting at the VW dealership for a miracle.

I'm always looking for ideas and inspiration.  In this unlikely automotive spa, I have found an amazing item! Amongst the other trinkets and logo such was a tote bag, two actually.  The first one I saw was a tote in fleece. The top drawstring is reminiscent of sweat pants or old school sweat pants.  The bottom was a wide strip with two teardrop sides.  Loose and floppy, the bag is not lined.  Seeing it creates the image of a leather and knit creation.  Something with a leather bottom and structured outline and handles.  Drawstring top, similar to sweat pants.

Miracle delivered. I saw it on the way to my now shiny car. The second bag was cute, a rigid box shape and no top fastener except for a strip.  I didn't admire it for its simple design. What struck me about the bag was the color and material matching. Plaid and print, inside and outside. I'm amazed by how much color can tie together odd and interesting pieces of material. 

I'm tucking away these ideas.  

Everything begins somewhere

My name is Jane and I have an idea. It's been perking and lurking in the back of my head for a long time. It doesn't have to be unique. I just want it to be...become.

I shop thrift and consignment when I can.  It's impossible not to notice the mountains of clothes and other textile products that are left in the dumpster because they are too damaged to sell inside.  They looked so sad, lost, forlorn.  I might be romanticizing a little but I believe that everything has a soul.

My dream is for all those lost pieces to find their way back into everyday lives.

Call it recycling or upcycling or even rehoming. We use a number of items that are or can be made out of recycled textile materials.  Some sophisticated, some not.  For example, wine bags, reusable grocery bags, dog toys and many more.  In time I would hope that this transformation could be expanded to transform people as well.  This will be my working diary of my path to bring this idea (back) to life.