In May we interviewed Malvern Hills gallery maker Tina Waite about her love of textiles and her passion for up cycling fabrics in to bold, practical bags.
Please tell us your name, where you are based and a little bit about yourself?
My name is Tina Waite, and I have lived in Malvern all my life.
I like to go to music festivals; enjoy gardening, especially flowers; I love nature and like to be eco-friendly in my making by reusing fabric and clothing in my textiles.
What kind of craft or art to you do and when did you start?
Textiles
I make handmade bags, accessories and items for the home.
I started making items in 2017.
Do you have any formal training?
I have no formal training but did do needlework at school. Since then, I have found ideas from books, on the internet and by just experimenting with fabrics.
Tell us a bit about your creative process, and the materials you use?
I like to look for unusual and funky fabrics or clothing that I can upcycle to make my items. Also, I make things from fabric that has been donated by friends and family. I like to work with denim, cotton and felt.
How would you describe your work and what inspires you?
Eco-friendly upcycling.
Making gives me joy. I started making bags to de-stress.
I enjoy the calmness it gives me, and I love the challenge of looking for unique pre-loved fabric in our local charity shops.
I also love the fact that it is not costing the earth and my bags and textile items give new life to clothing and fabric.
Each bag is a one-off so they are all unique.
Do you have a favourite location, design, technique?
My garden and nature inspire me.
I like to work with denim, colourful fabrics and felt.
All of my items are handmade by myself from pre-loved clothing and fabric offcuts.
Where can people find you and your work?
I am on Instagram and I post my latest designs on there. I also have and Etsy shop for online purchases. From June I will also be selling my work with Handmade Malvern at a regular pop up event.
Instagram: @tinacarolinewaite | Etsy: https://bagsofjoybytina.etsy.com