Secret Sari Necklaces

Secret Sari Necklaces

 11th Apr 2019 |  Shop |  Fritha Mason


At Secret Projects, we hate waste … but we love the wonderful possibilities of leftover scraps. And scraps are an inevitability when sewing and making! We are currently developing lots of creative ways in which to use our scraps, to ensure that we are left with as little waste as possible. One of these ways is the making of smaller products such as our Secret Sari Necklace, which is made using sari scraps leftover from Secret Sari Dress production as well as wooden beads and striking statement medallions.

Not only do our Secret Sari Necklaces reduce waste, but they also allow for our Makers to be artistic and create a unique piece reflecting their own creativity. They are also the perfect product for our Maker Groups who don’t have the space and/or facilities to make Secret Pillows and larger items, which is often the case for our rural groups. A kind and empowering product on so many levels! 

Our Secret Sari Necklaces went into production in November 2018 following our first ever customer trip. Our Makers were trained by customer and educationalist Lesley Pearce who took part in the trip. Here is a photo of Lesley and Malayarasi Maker Group in the Nilgiris in action!

 

Inspired by her time in India on the customer trip, Lesley has curated an educational trip to India for textiles and technology teachers which she will be leading in January 2020. This trip is an exploration of traditional dying, block printing, ethical production and women's empowerment. We hope that the teachers taking part will go back to their school communities and spread the word of incredible India, ethical production and social enterprise as a route to empowerment. Click here to read more about the trip.

Thank you Lesley for inspiring the Secret Sari Necklace. We are currently experimenting with more bold and beautiful necklace designs … watch this space!!

More

Our first destash!

Our first destash!

What to do on a rainy Sunday? Hold our very first destash! You may be asking what a destash is?  In short, it's a call out to people to go through old . . . sewing supplies and fabric etc. and donate it to a good cause. With that good cause being Secret Projects! We set up in the Pulborough Village Hall (which is close to where our Business Unit is), and, through various advertising methods, the word had spread and we were delighted to welcome scores of people who came along with their very gratefully received donations. Donations weren't just brought in on the day, we had parcels sent to us and others dropped supplies round to our CEO's house in Pulborough ahead of the official destash day. In total we collected 325 kilos of delici0us pre-loved sewing supplies. Much of the fabric donated has been sorted and will be made up into our ever popular and best selling scrap packs available through our eBay and Etsy Stores. In fact, we now have over 30 different scrap packs to purchase and more will be added, so do keep visiting our stores. We are still taking donations and if you do have any fabric or pre-loved sewing supplies, please do get in touch via fritha@secretprojects.org And of course the most enormous thank you everyone who donated to, and also helped us run our very first destash! More to come! Let's hear it for destashing!   Image: offering a cup of tea to all who came along to the destash was one way of us saying a big thank you.
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We would LOVE you to donate any unwanted sewing supplies to us!

We would LOVE you to donate any unwanted sewing supplies to us!

We can make such good use of your pre-loved sewing supplies We have added various items of pre-loved sewing supplies to our online stores, including . . . scrap fabrics and buttons for the past few years and it has developed into a small but very good source of income for our Community Benefit Society. The pre-loved sewing supplies market is only getting stronger and is something we are keen to develop and grow and are therefore putting out an 'ask' to our customers and supporters (and of course, anyone else who reads this!) for your old sewing items. We would LOVE them! Ideas for sewing supplies donations! From scrap fabric, to buttons, to pins, to needles, to embroidery equipment, we would adore to talk to you about what you have. Sewing items can often have sentimental value - in fact, our Comms Manager, Margaret was just telling us about a pin cushion she has of her mother's that she could only give away to someone who would really appreciate, and make good use of. Maybe this has resonated with you. So, if you do have sewing supplies you would like to donate, please email Fritha Vincent Mason at: fritha@secretprojects.org. We would just LOVE your pre-loved sewing supplies!  
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The 2024 AGM of SPCBS will take place on 24th January 1-2pm UK time

The 2024 AGM of SPCBS will take place on 24th January 1-2pm UK time

The 2024 Annual General Meeting of Secret Projects Community Benefit Society We are delighted to announce that 2024 The Annual General Meeting of . . . Secret Projects Community Benefit Society will take place on January 24th at 1-2pm UK time. All Shareholders are warmly invited and notification and the agenda plus financial information have been sent out. Please do check inboxes and junk folders and if not received, please email: invest@secreprojects.org. We very much look forward to seeing our Shareholders and providing an update on our progress over the last year.    
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