Today I'm pleased to share the space of wonderful upcycling queen, prix-prix, with you! Laura, the maker behind prix- prix, creates wallets and jewelry from recycled ties, notebooks from recycled soda boxes and pretty hobo style handbags. Let's take a look at where she gets it all done, shall we?
What do you create in this space?
I create bags, necktie wallets, recycled notebooks, and eco-friendly accessories for my company, prix-prix. I recently started making necklaces out of vintage neckties and recycled Mardi Gras beads. During non-working hours I also design and sew original dresses for myself from vintage fabrics I've collected.
Where is it located?
My
space takes up one side of a wide hallway in my shared house in New
Orleans. The house is from the 1830s, and this part of the hallway was
originally the screen porch. Windows run along the entire wall, looking
out at my neighbors wild backyard. A variety of colorful, talkative
birds hang out in the trees right outside. My sewing table is in the
adjacent living room, which has windows looking out into our overgrown
tropical backyard.
What sort of tools/equipment do you use?
I rely on my mom's nice old Husqvarna sewing machine for everything from detailed wallet top-stitching to notebook binding. I also use a Delonghi iron, which looks like it's from a 1960s dry cleaners. I have a rubber cutting mat and several types of cutting devices for trimming notebooks, cutting designs into linoleum blocks for printing, and trimming fabrics.
What inspirations do you keep nearby?
What sort of tools/equipment do you use?
I rely on my mom's nice old Husqvarna sewing machine for everything from detailed wallet top-stitching to notebook binding. I also use a Delonghi iron, which looks like it's from a 1960s dry cleaners. I have a rubber cutting mat and several types of cutting devices for trimming notebooks, cutting designs into linoleum blocks for printing, and trimming fabrics.
What inspirations do you keep nearby?
I
keep mountains of interesting neckties, mardi gras beads, old
upholstery samples, vintage fabrics I've picked up, and various
ornamental pattern design books. I keep a sketchbook handy for when new
ideas strike me.
What do you like to listen to/watch while creating? Or is silence best?
It
can get tedious when I'm making many iterations of the same design, so
watching or listening to something is vital to keeping my mind occupied
while my hands are working. Sometimes I watch old movies while I'm
sewing or ripping the seams out of vintage clothing. Classic thrillers
are best while I'm making things. Lately I've been listening to a lot
of audiobooks of everything from George Orwell to Stephen King.
Audiobooks have the advantage over movies that I can move throughout my
space and do detailed work without pausing or missing anything.
How do you feel when you enter your handmade space?
I
feel motivated and charged up. I find it satisfying to make things with
my hands, and entering my space puts me in that mood. When I started
prix-prix, I was working out of my little studio apartment in Chicago,
so whenever I wanted to make things my workspace would spill out all
over my apartment. I had one small table that I used for eating dinner,
sewing, drawing, and cutting pieces of fabric, so I constantly had to
shuffle things around as I went along. It's wonderful to have a space
now that's dedicated to my craft, where I can lay out all of the
materials I'm working with and keep things organized and easily
accessible. My space is so much easier to work in that it makes me
excited to start as soon as I'm there.
To check out all the lovely goods that Laura makes her, head to the prix-prix etsy shop!
To check out all the lovely goods that Laura makes her, head to the prix-prix etsy shop!
i freakin' love those necklaces!!! i might just have to head on over ot the shop and pick a few up!
Posted by: robyn | Aug 11, 2008 at 11:05 AM
i love her studio and those necklaces. it's nice to see the person, too.
Posted by: cindy k | Aug 11, 2008 at 01:34 PM
So funny... this evening I was giving Laura a ride back to her place after our New Orleans Craft Mafia meeting and I mentioned Modish for some reason I don't remember now, and she told me how she was featured here today! And of course I hadn't checked my feed reader yet, so it's nice to see her here!
Also, while I LOVE my own New Orleans abode, I've gotta admit I'm jealous of that back porch and hammock! I've been craving a hammock to read in lately since we keep getting these amazing August cool fronts the last few weekends!
Posted by: Mallory | Aug 11, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Ah, these are lovely! A new use to boring ties.
Posted by: Cassandra | Aug 12, 2008 at 02:44 AM
Say, your concept is wonderful. I'm currently loving your designs. Plus you have such a nice house, a very conducive workspace I believe. :)
Posted by: Cza | Feb 21, 2009 at 04:34 AM
oh...lovely! the art from resourcefulness. you are a promising artist and designer please keep it up. fuel your wonderful works with inspiration...
Posted by: Augusta Gutters | Aug 21, 2010 at 08:07 AM