The Upcycle & Repair Centre is a dream for Mullumbimby woman Deidi Vine, who hopes to start the project with salvaged materials and vintage sewing machines — including a newly discovered old-school pedal Singer.
Ms Vine says that she feels upcycling isn’t just about secondhand materials, it’s about self-worth.
‘When we learn to repair what’s broken, or salvage what’s being discarded, we begin to see the beauty in what still has life left’, she said.
‘That’s what this centre is all about.’
Over the years she has been involved with local charity, Global Ripple, which she says has inspired countless creative hearts to breathe new life into secondhand goods through upcycling, repairing, and rejuvenating.
‘I’ve always loved that part: taking something worn and making it wonderful again.’
Ms Vine was the founder of the former ‘Girls on Tools’ initiative, where she taught young women to wield power tools, while creating whimsical upcycled cubbies and mud kitchens – she’s long been an advocate for hands-on empowerment.
Now, she’s turning her focus to a new project she says has been a long held dream. There’s something magical about repurposing things with your hands.
‘This is about sustainability, but also connection, creativity, and remembering that value doesn’t come from being new. It comes from being loved.’
Ms Vine says many talented and passionate creatives have passed through Global Ripple’s doors over the years.
Space needed
‘There’s something we all seem to bump up against and that’s lack of space – a place to store materials, sort items, and work together.’
Ms Vine is looking for expressions of interest in creating a local upcycle and repair hub in the Byron Shire. ‘I’m looking for a space where seamstresses, tinkerers, young sewing enthusiasts, and resourceful creatives can gather, repair, stitch, sort, and transform.’
Ms Vine says she is hoping to trial the concept for three months in a donated or shared space.
‘All we need is a shed with power – everything else we can source ourselves. Let’s stitch something beautiful together for the Byron community.’
Deidi Vine can be contacted at: [email protected], or 0429 840 095.
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