Fabric.n.Art

ARTISAN NAME: Mary Henry

CREATIONS: Garments, Purses, Jewelry, Doggie Bags, Microwave Cozies

ARTISAN STATEMENT: I have a lifelong passion for art and creating, and design in almost every medium and material. My one-of-a-kind pieces are made almost entirely from recycled materials, giving beautiful fabrics and notions a new purpose. Inspired by this love of textiles, useful everyday objects, and the endless possibilities of creative reuse, my work celebrates sustainability through craftsmanship. Whimsical doggie bags are made from recycled denim pants and zippers. Microwave cozies are crafted from FabMo 100% cotton materials. Denim jackets from thrift stores are embellished with found materials. FabMo fabrics become beads that transform into unique necklaces. Each of my purses is hand crafted from upholstery, leather, and lining materials from FabMo. These purses feature a back pocket, an interior zippered pocket, and straps that are recycled from thrift store finds. Recycled denim pants become totes. Shells rescued from restaurants are sterilized and decoupaged for hanging or trinket dishes. Each piece is unique.

I have been shopping and donating to FabMo since it opened in Mountain View. What an exciting, useful, and artistic place for a crafts person! I am especially inspired by the array of upholstery materials, and combine them to create unique purses with two and three different patterns artfully blended to form a curated and practical accessory. I use leather scraps and braid trim as tassels, and piping often adds a finishing touch. Even the linings are carefully integrated to delight and surprise.

I am drawn to the unique and original, whether by color, pattern, or texture. Having sewn for decades (everything from reupholstering my sofa to men’s three-piece suits to coats and dresses for myself), I take great pleasure in hand crafting signature items, particularly as this rescues supplies from landfill. You can see an array of my work at: https://www.instagram.com/fabricnart/

SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram