I grew up in France and worked for 10 years in Europe and North America as a building engineer in sustainable designs. My purpose was, one building at a time to open people's eyes to eco-friendly possibilities!
I had to adjust my crazy lifestyle for motherhood and a move to Australia. But I still constantly thought about our impact on the environment and what I could do about it. So I decided to express my creativity with a material that can be found in abundance for reuse and furthermore can be recycled down the line: Cardboard!
How on earth did I come up with something like that you ask? Well, the seed was planted by my grandmother when I was little. She used to make beautiful storage boxes with cardboard she recycled and covered with wallpaper. She gave them to neighbours and shop owners around her little village in the centre of France. A year after my move to Australia she passed away and losing her was the trigger for my cardboard lace inspired jewellery. Le Puy en Velay were she lived most of her life is famous for its beautiful handmade lace. Inspiration came from there for the jewellery and lace designs I make and sell in my shop and at markets.
I have attached some picture to show you the furniture making process:
All the furniture I sell is made with a sturdy structure of cardboard. Like the bees, constructing their homes from honeycombed wax cells, I strengthen my pieces with cardboard boxes cut into elements assembled together to create a strong cell like structure in all directions. The series of pictures below shows the making process.
My jewellery is made with cardboard boxes that have been cut, peeled, rolled, glued, polished, then painted and protected.
For homewears I generally glue layers of flat cardboard together to strengthen the frames of mirrors, trays and storage boxes.
All I make is made with lots of fun, love and cardboard!
I hope you enjoy it too.