Isabel Hospice has collaborated with local designer Julie Swan on a range of upcycled denim bags to help raise money to fund our charity’s specialist care.
Hospice shop volunteer Lynne Crook instigated the project with Julie, who made 25 bags from preloved denim jeans that she donated to sell at our charity shop in Ware.
All proceeds from the sale of the bags will help the Hospice continue providing its expert, compassionate care and support free of charge to those with a life-limiting illness, and their loved ones.
Lynne, who has been volunteering with Isabel Hospice for two years, said: “Julie launched her business of handmade bags last year, using preloved denim jeans from charity shops and then upcycling and repurposing them into tote and shopper bags.
“We are gym buddies and, after a long walk during the pandemic lockdown discussing hobbies and new projects, we came up with the idea of a collaboration using the donated jeans from the Ware shop and supporting Julie’s new design venture.
“The bags are a great go-to bag for shopping or even for work or study as they will hold a laptop and iPad. All of them sold out!”
Julie’s love of crafting was inspired by her grandmother, who used to bead dresses for celebrities such as Shirley Bassey. She initially started making her shopper bags during lockdown as gifts for family and friends before setting up J&A Designs.
Every bag is unique and each one is lined with fabric in a selection of prints and has a small insert pocket. Most are fully reversible and every last leftover scrap of fabric is used, either to make the straps or to make smaller bags for children or purses. All of the bags were created at her studio in Ware.
Julie said she was more than happy to donate the bags to the Hospice to sell as the charity holds similar values to her own, such as upcycling and utilising preloved items to reduce the amount of unwanted clothing sent to landfill.
As part of the project, the shop team created an eye-catching window display to promote the bags, with Julie planning to use all the denim to create a patchwork quilt to raffle off to raise additional funds once it has been dismantled.
Isabel Hospice’s retail area manager Jane Morrison said: “We’d like to thank Julie for kindly donating these lovely bags. It’s great to see our shops working closely with other local businesses and we are especially keen to promote preloved and upcycled goods.”
