South East Creatives encourages businesses in the creative, cultural and digital sectors to take advantage of a new £5.1 million grants and support programme.
Each month our case studies highlight a programme recipient. This month we are showcasing Lorna Doyle who received a grant to support the development of her creative practice and business.
About Me:
I am a textile designer based in Deal, Kent. I rescue wetsuits from my local community and transform the waste material into bags. Wetsuits that are too damaged to make into bags are made into artworks instead and scraps are used to make labels and straps for the bags. Waste wetsuit material can take up to 100 years to break down. I try and use every part of the donated wetsuits, saving as much material from landfill as possible.
How South East Creatives has supported my business:
The South East Creatives Grant enabled me to purchase an industrial sewing machine. Neoprene material is waterproof, strong, and durable perfect for making bags. However, I was struggling to sew the different thicknesses of the donated neoprene on my domestic sewing machine. The industrial sewing machine purchased with the grant has enabled me to sew through all the different thicknesses of waste wetsuits donated from my local community. Having this equipment has increased my productivity and the ability to keep up with the demand for orders. I have also been able to save more wetsuits from landfill.
You can find out more about Lorna’s work here:
http://www.lorna-doyle.com/
