GIVING NEW LIFE TO DISCARDED CLOTHING
I’ve been creating things for as long as I can remember. Whether it was sewing alongside my mom, crocheting with my grandma, or building something with my dad in his shed, the need to create has always been a part of who I am. It’s as natural to me as breathing—second only to thrifting, another lifelong passion. To me, digging through racks of discarded “junk” feels like a treasure hunt waiting to happen. Primitive Fringe is really a marriage of these two loves: creating and thrifting.
Shopping secondhand and upcycling old pieces into something new has always been more appealing to me than buying straight from a department store. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a family of do-it-yourselfers, or because we didn’t always have a lot of extra money, or maybe it’s simply my desire to step away from the fashion norm. Whatever the reason—I absolutely love it!
Discovering that there was actually a market for upcycled clothing felt like a dream come true. I knew I had found my niche. My slight ADD makes this the perfect creative outlet for me, too—I’ve never been one to stick with one thing for long. Each piece I make is one-of-a-kind, and once I’ve finished a design, I’m eager to start something entirely new.
My only rule when it comes to designing is simple: there are no rules. Creating clothing, to me, is like creating art.
Inspiration comes from everywhere, and since my mind is always in creative mode, I rarely have trouble finding it. One thing I don’t do is chase the latest fashion trends. I’d rather design pieces that speak to me personally than follow what someone else has decided is “in style.” As long as I’m creating what I love, I’ll never lose my passion for the process.
There are countless reasons I love what I do—crafting unique one-of-a-kind items, helping the environment, and supporting local charity thrift stores are just a few. But most of all, I’m grateful to use the creative gift God has given me to glorify Him through my work.
I hope each item I create carries a little bit of that joy to whoever receives it. If I can do that, then I’ve truly succeeded.
— Deanna
