Every time Karen Cooper wears her upcycled peg apron to hang out the washing, she thinks of her mother wearing one and hopes others will explore ways to give treasured items a new life.
The upcoming Upcycled Market at the Honest Lawyer was not planned specifically for Mother’s Day, but as organiser Karen says, it is an apt way to honour her own mother who passed away a few years ago at just 68, while inspiring others to find ways to upcycle meaningful possessions.
“My mum was the inspiration behind the market because she was a real ‘waste not, want not’ – nothing was wasted in our house.”
Karen says that one way she dealt with her grief was by transforming items filled with memories, including leftover wallpaper from her childhood bedroom and the greeting cards her mother had saved over the years.
“She’d kept every greeting card we ever had, and they were stored in the attic. I had put them on the kerbside and lay awake all night thinking it was so wrong when Mum had kept them for so long. I thought I could do something with them and that’s become my therapy.”
Karen has long run Richmond’s Pretty Crafty Market and created the first Upcycled Market in November. Fifteen stallholders will take part in the Mother’s Day market, selling items that have been given a new life as jewellery, clothing, home décor, accessories and art.
“The vibe at the market is supposed to be a slow shopping event. It’s about slowing down, meeting the maker and shopping with purpose. If we can inspire people to see value in things they might have thrown away, then that’s wonderful.”
She says the market could be a special Mother’s Day outing, but also a comforting place for people missing their loved ones.
“Someone struggling on that day might like to bring something to share with our wonderful vendors. They could have an idea about how to transform it into something new.”
As for the peg apron, which was made by a fellow upcycler, Karen says she never knew she needed one until she got one.
“And it reminds me of the apron my mum wore at the washing line.”
The Upcycled Market is being held in the Honest Lawyer’s barn between 11am and 3.30pm on Mother’s Day, 10th May.
