When wandering around markets or garage sales I am often very saddened to see discarded embroidery. I think about the love, time, craftsmanship and patience that went into creating such beautiful things and find it so sad that they end up unwanted and for sale for a few dollars. All of those wonderful tablecloths, doilies and cushions and the skills that are evident in those discarded things are in danger of being lost to future generations.
Frederique Morrel was similarly troubled when her grandmother's handiwork was thrown out when she passed away. Frederique has since been on a mission to find and "decycle" - or give a new life cycle to - similarly unrecognised and unvalued artifacts. She says hunting for materials is the most fun part of her job.
The Frederique Morrel range was shown at Maison & Objet in Paris early this year, and it includes trays, poufs, lovely lamps with reclaimed timber bases and the surprising application of tapestries to lunch boxes.
Frederique works with her partner (in business as well as life), Aaron Levin, and their mascot Maggie the Jack Russel to create fabulous creations from decycled needlepoint. Their products are designed to connect with old fashioned values with respect and humour. They seem to have achieved their objective don't you think?
Image Source: Federique Morrel.
