Eglė makes gloves out of old sweaters, jewelry out of crumbs from dishes: “Even shrunken wool can do endless things” | Life

“A redesigned thing can be better”

When asked who and when he lost the idea that one thing or another could be recycled, to make something new with it, Egle said that desire still existed in childhood.

“I used old perfume bottles for my toy pharmacy, they contained so-called medicines. Or I made thermometers out of old pens. I remember when my friends came to see me, they showed me my first aid kit, remanufactured things, and the following surprise spread from them: “Wow, how interesting!”

What I used is just fun as a material for creativity.

When I was a teenager, I had a backpack of terrible colors, it was so hanging, like something new. I took it and sewed it with some old jeans. And I felt so “wow” myself, and others noted, “Look, what a backpack of jeans!” I was stuck with the idea that a thing made of something, remade, could be better than the real thing.

Looking at these times, I would be lying if I said that everything came with the whole wave. What I used is just fun as a material for creativity. I find it interesting to experiment, that old thing has its own load, so you have to think, put it, how and what you could do. It is very interesting to work with that ”, said the interviewee.

He brought like-minded people together on a social network.

In July last year, Eglė formed a band on Facebook. “Second opportunity”, in which people share what they wear old things, clothes, what they do or create a new one. When asked how she was born with the idea or need for such a group, the interviewee said it was started by a question from her husband.

“During my life I returned to this issue of the use of secondary raw materials by leaps and bounds, I tackled it, I distanced myself. Last year I picked up a boy’s t-shirt, redesigned it, and erased it. I went to town, took the camera, took photos and the man said to me: “It’s beautiful, but what are you going to do with them now?”

And thinking about how many people there are who do something and are so alone with their ideas, I would consider bringing them all together. Thus was born the group “Second Chance”.

I just felt like I needed to be created to have my place here. All that eco-sustainability movement is a confirmation that everything I do is correct. As for the group, they really wanted people to come together, to come together, to share what they do, because it’s not really easy for one, ”Eglė said with a smile.

From old sweaters – gloves

Eglė herself is mainly engaged in creating handicrafts from secondary raw materials: she uses old woolen sweaters or coats to create new gloves or toys, old curtains, carpet t-shirts, decorations, etc.

“It was a joy for me to see the remake of what seemed desperate,” said the interlocutor.

It is definitely worth wearing shrunken wool. It can be used to make endless things: rugs, rugs, gloves, etc.

When asked if it is really worthwhile and useful to resurrect all the materials for a second life, Egle said attention should be paid to the quality of that fabric.

“Shrunken wool is definitely worth wearing. Well, whatever has been shrunk, it can be used to make a myriad of things: rugs, rugs, gloves, etc. The neighbor handed him a sweater that had been shrunk to the size of a child, and the wool itself was already felt. I really enjoyed working with that fabric because it is no longer available, I am free to cut it, no additional tools required. So I cut out, embroidered, and sewed some nice red gloves.

Of course, if Dermantine is spilled, it is no longer worth using. This type of work, when you redo one thing from another, takes a long time, you need to arm yourself with patience, so it is worth thinking very well if the material you are about to do is suitable for its use. If not, you can cut it again and give it to the children to play with or simply throw it in a textile container ”.

The fragments of dishes are used to make jewelry.

Broken dishes almost always go to the trash. Unless you have a hobby and the ability to use them for someone else. Spruce makes earrings and necklaces from fragments of broken plates, mostly plates, but also cups.

“I really like making necklaces and earrings, the only problem is that these plates are not broken so often,” laughed the interlocutor. – For that I usually use broken plates, they are very suitable because they are flat. Only here there is always a lot of coincidence when that container breaks.

I use all kinds of techniques to cut the necessary shapes and ornaments from those fragments. It happens that you are lucky, and it happens that for safety, you try to keep that flower and break it. But the more you get involved, the better. “

That his own dishes do not break as often, where does Egle get the crumbs? “It just came to our attention then. Now I just received some very interesting old rubble with coats of arms that was found on the ground after the house was demolished. It may be used for jewelry.

I still get crumbs from a thrift store near the house. Sometimes buyers accidentally break something while inspecting products. I have asked the sellers to give it to me if someone breaks down. Knowing what is fun is that people hear, hear what can be used, do not throw it away, give it to someone who does it all.

Yes and with that store, you did not forget me, waiting, he says, I have already collected a gift for you. It is very funny, it seems that the recycling and sustainability system has already been educated ”, the interlocutor did not hide his joy.

There is no need to fear that it was done by someone who has already served. I just need to let that wheel keep turning.

Spruce sells its crafts. When asked if people are willing to buy, the woman said she noticed that people admire recycled items, jewelry, but buying them is not an attack:

“Maybe people are still a little intimidated by the fact that it has been used or remade for a long time. But I think it’s a matter of time before people realize they don’t need a new one if they can redo the old one, Give it to themselves or their loved ones. And don’t be afraid it was done by someone who has already served. You just have to let the wheel roll. “

It used to be from shortage, now from surplus

Lately, people are very eager to resurrect old furniture and things for a second life, and they might throw it away and replace it with new ones, because we live in times when the choice is really huge. When asked how I think what led to such a trend that people are now actively engaging in it, Egle said that she thinks people used to do it out of deprivation in the past and now out of surplus.

“I think people used to resurrect things for a second life because they kept everything a lot because there was just nothing. I remember my grandmother knitted and wore socks, there was a patch on the patch. I thought, if so much is necessary, you have to give new ones. When I donated new wool socks for Christmas, imagine that she put them in the closet and kept wearing the old ones. In the past, people kept many things safe and stored.

And now everything is a lot. I believe that the education that is being given now is also contributing. After all, there are a lot of clothes that are bought, but never worn. In the past, people were hungry for everything they needed and now they are scolding. I think there used to be a shortage and now it is due to a surplus. Because of those things, new things, we will suffocate, we will have no place ”.

I think there is more meaning, essence and goodness when we choose what has already served instead of going back to buy a new one.

Speaking of resurrecting things for a second life, Egle says he doesn’t think it’s a fashion problem: “There are people who will keep buying. There is another part that understands that recycling is very good and they choose that path. I think there is more meaning, essence and goodness when we choose what has already served, instead of buying a new one again ”.

Lovely support

Egle made no secret that one of the most important things when doing this activity is feeling the support of others. Whether it is expressed in good words or deeds, when people, knowing that a woman is engaged in the production of handicrafts from secondary raw materials, turn to her unnecessary, naughty and available raw materials.

“It just came to our knowledge then. I would say that I do not know a person, what I am going to write to you here now, I suggest. But it is signed by people, and even grandmothers who already want to free their closets. They say:” I do not let my heart goes away so I’ll give it to you, I see you’re doing a good job. “It’s fun to have support and great cooperation.

Let’s say there is a “Striped Happiness” animal care organization in Kaunas that takes care of homeless kittens. The organization is in the business of tearing down old wool sweaters and making socks out of those yarns, selling them, and donating the money to care for those kittens.

When I want to support, I buy those socks and bring the animals out again, a new creation again, like something new. And good for them, and good for me, and it uses what it once was. Another creator wants to be in that circle, so that there is cooperation, feel support, and no person would think that I am doing, I am doing and who needs it here ”.