“My mother and my grandmother were born in Lismore. When I finished high school I moved to Sydney for 20 years. Four years ago my marriage didn’t work out, my contract job was due to end and I wasn’t happy where I was. At the time I was 39 and still didn’t have a licence to drive a car. I called my best friend and asked for help. She came and picked me up, my 2 cats, my sewing machine, a tub of fabric , my clothes and a laptop and she drove me up here. I had a house to go to but no job and I didn’t know what I was going to do but I jumped off the cliff and I landed in Lismore. When I arrived I did a few contract jobs, some freelance admin and 2 years ago I got the job I’m in now which is office manager working in mental health and it’s a wonderful job. In the past corporate jobs I never felt like I was contributing to anything in a positive way and now that I work for a counselling service I feel like I am part of helping people daily.
I started making bags when I lived in Sydney. I had a flatmate who worked in upholstery so she brought home lots of fabric samples. It started as a hobby and it escalated. I ended up sewing part time whilst working. I am 7th generation of women who work with their hands, knit, crochet, embroider and sew. My mother was a textiles and design teacher so it’s in my blood. I learnt to sew when I was 5 and my neighbours paid me to make cushions back in the 80’s when patchwork was in. I now do a lot of other custom work as well. I also make headbands and hats, cushions and aprons.
I used to do this photo challenge which was on Instagram, ‘A photo a day’ it was called. I hated catching trains and crowds and I felt pressured and stressed so at lunch I would walk around and look for something to photograph. It grounded me. When I moved here there was a lot more nature and so much more beautiful than the centre of Sydney. I was just using my iPhone, I put a photo in the Northern star pic of the day and I won. I won 12 times and people were encouraging me to buy a camera. Two years ago I was feeling a bit low, a bit lonely and wanted to treat myself so I bought a camera, did a course at the Camera House and that’s when Fox Photo Den opened. I remember walking around opening night at the Den and thinking the photographers were all so inspiring. Natsky asked to see my photos, I found it confronting but she is the most wonderful lady. I honestly thought she would say..’keep practising!’ but she said.. ‘Ok, when do you want to be up on the wall?’ I was up on the walls in July. I was blown away. Sewing is a solo hobby you do at home whereas photography gets me out and about. It got me out and about in nature.
I actually met my new partner because of photography so it’s been a really good hobby (laughs). I was in Mt Tambourine with a friend for the day. My memory card was full and I called a shop on the Gold Coast. Long story short but he was a bit cheeky. I don’t know what it was but we talked for 15 minutes and he sort of got to me. I hung up and found the card at another store. In the afternoon sitting with my friend I said, I think Im going to call him back. I called and he said what a pleasant surprise. We ended up talking on line and decided to meet up. We spent lots of weekend taking photos together and then we started dating. We have been together just over a year.
I knew in my heart I needed to be here in Lismore. It was a tough journey for me to come home. I had an apartment in Sydney, all my friends, a career, my marriage but I needed to come home. I have family here. For me Lismore was going to be a stepping stone. I was going to come here, regroup, heal and get back on my feet, learn how to drive and settle not far from here but that didn’t eventuate.
I just love Lismore and I have no desire to go anywhere else. I love that being creative is really supported here. It’s really embraced because it is such a creative community. It’s inspiring and people are really generous about that. Sometimes in larger places people can be competitive or secretive about their ideas whereas I find people here very nurturing and encouraging. I have found niches here where I am happy.
I started selling my bags in a little shop next door to where I am now. Now I have my bags, cushions and headwear on sale here in the Star Court Arcade. I don’t buy new fabric. It’s all repurposed, vintage, op-shopped or bought from fabric hoarders.
I walk around in my lunch break and there is always someone to chat too. If you are feeling a bit sad someone is always around to give you a hug. I love that because I’m a hugger.”
https://www.facebook.com/BecsBags/?ref=br_rs
https://www.facebook.com/ohyouprettythingsstore/?ref=br_rs
I started making bags when I lived in Sydney. I had a flatmate who worked in upholstery so she brought home lots of fabric samples. It started as a hobby and it escalated. I ended up sewing part time whilst working. I am 7th generation of women who work with their hands, knit, crochet, embroider and sew. My mother was a textiles and design teacher so it’s in my blood. I learnt to sew when I was 5 and my neighbours paid me to make cushions back in the 80’s when patchwork was in. I now do a lot of other custom work as well. I also make headbands and hats, cushions and aprons.
I used to do this photo challenge which was on Instagram, ‘A photo a day’ it was called. I hated catching trains and crowds and I felt pressured and stressed so at lunch I would walk around and look for something to photograph. It grounded me. When I moved here there was a lot more nature and so much more beautiful than the centre of Sydney. I was just using my iPhone, I put a photo in the Northern star pic of the day and I won. I won 12 times and people were encouraging me to buy a camera. Two years ago I was feeling a bit low, a bit lonely and wanted to treat myself so I bought a camera, did a course at the Camera House and that’s when Fox Photo Den opened. I remember walking around opening night at the Den and thinking the photographers were all so inspiring. Natsky asked to see my photos, I found it confronting but she is the most wonderful lady. I honestly thought she would say..’keep practising!’ but she said.. ‘Ok, when do you want to be up on the wall?’ I was up on the walls in July. I was blown away. Sewing is a solo hobby you do at home whereas photography gets me out and about. It got me out and about in nature.
I actually met my new partner because of photography so it’s been a really good hobby (laughs). I was in Mt Tambourine with a friend for the day. My memory card was full and I called a shop on the Gold Coast. Long story short but he was a bit cheeky. I don’t know what it was but we talked for 15 minutes and he sort of got to me. I hung up and found the card at another store. In the afternoon sitting with my friend I said, I think Im going to call him back. I called and he said what a pleasant surprise. We ended up talking on line and decided to meet up. We spent lots of weekend taking photos together and then we started dating. We have been together just over a year.
I knew in my heart I needed to be here in Lismore. It was a tough journey for me to come home. I had an apartment in Sydney, all my friends, a career, my marriage but I needed to come home. I have family here. For me Lismore was going to be a stepping stone. I was going to come here, regroup, heal and get back on my feet, learn how to drive and settle not far from here but that didn’t eventuate.
I just love Lismore and I have no desire to go anywhere else. I love that being creative is really supported here. It’s really embraced because it is such a creative community. It’s inspiring and people are really generous about that. Sometimes in larger places people can be competitive or secretive about their ideas whereas I find people here very nurturing and encouraging. I have found niches here where I am happy.
I started selling my bags in a little shop next door to where I am now. Now I have my bags, cushions and headwear on sale here in the Star Court Arcade. I don’t buy new fabric. It’s all repurposed, vintage, op-shopped or bought from fabric hoarders.
I walk around in my lunch break and there is always someone to chat too. If you are feeling a bit sad someone is always around to give you a hug. I love that because I’m a hugger.”
https://www.facebook.com/BecsBags/?ref=br_rs
https://www.facebook.com/ohyouprettythingsstore/?ref=br_rs