23
handmade/fiber
UP-cycled sweater fish stockings
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM
Mary
FitzGerald
Holst
Up-cycled art
RE-ECO Design
Making it I primarily make eco friendly
fashion and decorative accessories—
up-cycled wool scarves
and headbands, journals made with
recycled paper and vintage fabrics,
even terrariums made with recycled
materials.With hand felting, crochet,
appliqué and recycled leather
techniques, my family and I make
95 percent of the stuff in our store.
We opened the store about two
years ago, and I work here with my
husband and our two children. I
guess you could say we’re a family
of artists.
Inspiration
I am mostly inspired by nature
— special shells on the beach or
birds in a tree. Nature, which is all
around you if you look, can inspire
so many things.
The tricky part
Developing the concept and designing
the item. It can be very challenging,
but it’s rewarding too.
Sometimes I get very excited about
an idea and what I think I want to
do, but as I create, it may evolve
into something totally different and
unexpected. I have to go with that
process, not get frustrated by it. It’s
cool where I end up sometimes.
Try it yourself
Found objects make great raw materials – even old sweaters,
scarves and socks can be transformed into creative works of art.
Roughly cut and sewn into shapes, sporting found embellishments
like buttons for eyes, these sweaters have been repurposed
into adorable owls and holiday fish stockings. Let your imagination
flow and put your own twist on it—you’ll be amazed at
what you come up with.
Love it, find it, buy it
Our inspirations can be purchased at the store, Re-Eco Design,
or at Hallelu boutique in Wrightsville Beach.
DIY