It's the most wonderful time of the year....no not that one... it's Super Seconds Festival time, when 250 makers, including myself, scurry around their studios, rummaging in draws and lost stock boxes to find their misprints, seconds and samples. Why do they do this I hear you ask, well to sell them to the lovely art loving public on 4th and 5th October for huge discounts!
For those of you unfamiliar with this most magnificent of occasions here's a quick rundown, the brainchild of Sophie from The Creative Incubator, Super Seconds Festival started life in 2020 when she printed a whole pile of t-shirts that went ever so slightly wrong. Asking if any other makers wanted to take part in a seconds sale the first event took place on instagram and has since grown to a 250 strong, maker extravaganza with it's own dedicated website!
In the lead up to Super Seconds it's become a sort of tradition that I do a series of maker interviews (you know how I love them!) to shout out about some of my fellow makers taking part, so grab yourself a brew or equivalent tasty beverage and lets all find out about the wonderful Chloe Haywood...
Chloë wears many hats, fashion, homeware designer, stylist and artist, but above all that she is an absolute magician at repurposing and upcycling waste materials into new and beautiful pieces! Over to her to describe the magic of what she does in more detail... 'Where do I begin?! Through my love of saving materials from landfill, I design and make products from offcuts and the discarded, for people to use again and give them enormous pleasure! I love colour and shine and therefore aim to make what other might call sustainable products 'crunchy like granola' I like to make everyday accessories luxurious, and fun - and hopefully something they'd use time and time again.'
If you could pick one piece of music to listen to as you make what would it be?
Now that is SO hard as my mood changes day to day, and thanks to the algorithm on Spotify, I get seduced down a certain path...HOWEVER the one thing that is consistent is my love of watching previous episodes of This Morning on ITVX - I adore that show and it definitely keeps me working and entertained at the same time!
What is your earliest creative memory?
Making 3D models with cardboard boxes (and anything else I could find around the house!) My room constantly smelt of copydex!
What fires your imagination
The biggest pile of rubbish that's taken over my workshop. If it's spilling over, then THAT'S definitely the next project I need to problem solve!
What's the best mistake you've ever made? Creative or otherwise..
Going along with my husbands proposal of marriage. Bear with me! He didn't propose, but dreamt it, then the following day he called me suggesting that my birthday party be 'the engagement party'. First I heard of the engagement! But he was SO convinced he'd asked me, I sort of went along with it. Heh heh! We will have been married 20 years next year!
What Super Seconds deals should we look out for from you?
OOooo! I've got lots of 'one off' items this time which will be snapped up quick I'm sure! I've got some more zip jewellery that were so popular last time, some bright cashmere handwarmers (I can't make a matching pair out of), more colourful upcycled tees AND some hugely discounted Pop a Patch Kits where the printing is substandard but still full of useful patches for mending all sorts of garments and accessories!
The passion and dedication Chloë has for sustainability and repurposing is infectious and is just what the planet needs right now! With her vibrant, beautiful designs she certainly makes it that much easier for us all to make stylish, sustainable choices! Don't forget to check out her fabulous Super Seconds Festival offers on 4th and 5th of October, along with the 249 other makers taking part. To get a jump start on your beautiful bargain planning check out the maker line-up which is now live!
