Week 1 in 107

This week was our first week working in OUR NEW WORKSHOP SPACE! Ok, so it's TAFE Outreach's space, loaned from the good folk at City of Sydney Council, but we get to play in it!
Furniture Reuse classes began on Wednesday with a burst of enthusiasm we could only have imagined!!

Check out below for Teddy's take on his first class in Reuse Repair Recycle Furniture

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What a joy it was to ride my bike to 107 Redfern St this morning!  A gorgeous almost-Spring morning, perfect for getting my hands dirty!

The motley gang of eco warriors, furniture restorers and handy types gather around, anxious to start, feet tapping, hands twitching...we want to make stuff!  

We've found ourselves huddled in a huge warehouse space in Redfern, Banksy stencils littered carelessly across the walls, hints of glitter and charisma are all that remain from the presence of Mardi Gras and our teachers are ready to roll!  Today is upholstery!  Chairs and chairs and more chairs are pulled out, foam, flock, dacron and calico swing in bags around the warehouse, staple guns, tack removers and hammers are held at the ready as Maaike explains and demonstrates how we are going to make mess into magic.  

My accomplice Fiona and I tackle a gorgeous timber arm chair. All that is left of it's former glory is a well sanded frame and a few rusted springs, a gem of a project! 

We begin by weaving the base and back with hessian strips.  It's tricky but once we got used to the stretching tool and handling the tacks we were on fire.

Next we stuffed coconut fibre and the soft downy flock on the back and covered it with half a hessian sack.  The back really started to take shape at this point. 

 It felt great to see a tangible outcome so quickly!  Why is it that we are so scared of making things?  Of fixing things?  All it takes is a little information, the right kind of basic tools and a bit of motivation and virtually anything can be phoenix-ed out of the ashes!   /end rant

The dacron came into play next, we shaped a piece and stapled it in place.  The group gathered around us as we worked, gasps of awe escaping alongside the fire of the staple gun.  

 Every single person around that workbench was smiling and we left excited about what we would create next week!  Can't wait!

-Teddy