Alchemy Arts: Recycling Is Chic

by Kate MacKay, Di Jennings (Photographer)

Overview

Alchemy Arts is a community-based arts project in Edinburgh that collects scrap from businesses and households and uses it to create artworks, workshops, and parades in the city. This book takes their philosophy one stage further and offers projects in fashion, home design, and crafts for individuals to make or adapt themselves.

Includes ingenious uses for packs of old playing cards (a top hat for fancy dress), old ties stitched into dresses, and many more ideas and suggestions.

With the inclusion of American crafters' projects as well as those from the United Kingdom, this is likely to be a popular addition to the growing collection of books available for crafters.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780714532004
Publisher:	Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd
Publication date:	02/01/2010
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Kate MacKay is an Edinburgh based artist who is an exhibitor at the Royal Scottish Academy, and the Society of Scottish Artists Annual Open Exhibition. She is an Arts Market photographer and is involved in community arts in the city of Edinburgh. Di Jennings is a fashion photographer and creator of costumes, and she is involved in shows and fashion events in Edinburgh, and her designs are used for many of the clothes made from recycled items.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Projects 10

1 Corsets and Petticoats 12

All Tied Up 14

Roses and Ruffles 18

Antique Bride 24

Reworked Corset 30

Illustrated Dress 34

2 Plastic 40

April Showers 42

Spiral Brooches 46

Summer Collection 50

Hula! 56

Toy Jewellery 62

In the Swim 68

3 Rags and Remnants 74

Way Out Huipils 76

Scarf Wear 80

Bedspread Bags 86

Holding Court 92

Patchwork Purses 98

Duvet Dresses 104

Lady Lavender 112

Pretty Pinny 118

4 Winter Woollens 124

Fuzzy Felts 126

Fleecy Mitts 130

Reworked Coats 136

Turtle Neck Bag 140

Magpie's Eye 146

Mossy Glen Neck Piece 160

5 Heavy Duty 154

Houndstooth Blazer 156

Skirtans 160

Inner Tube Necklace 166

Scottish Lassie 172

Tiny Tartan Tote 178

6 Paper 184

Hat O'Cards 186

Paper Beads 192

Carnival Time 196

7 Tinsel and Trinkets 202

Spiralling Elegance 204

Buckle Pendant 208

Pearly Queen 212

Phoenix Charms 218

Frida Headdress 226

Madame Butterfly 230

Sheriff Badges 238

Christmas Fairy 242

Alchemy Artists' Profiles 248

Index 252

Conversion Tables 256

Acknowledgments 256

Editorial Reviews

MacKay and Jennings, in conjunction with the international artists of the Alchemy Arts collective, take green fashion to a new level, transforming everything from thrift-store finds to paper goods to plastic bags into chic wearables. The written directions are clear, but novice crafters may wish for more illustrations or photographs of individual steps. This is perfect for fans of the more creative challenges on Project Runway. With intent similar to Susan Wasinger's The Feisty Stitcher (see below), this guide goes beyond sewing and will push crafters to think of repurposing in a different way.

Library Journal