Stylish recycling at the University

Eyv Saunders has recycled old plastic bags to create stunning works of practical and useful art. Her work was displayed at the recent We Create event at the University of Teesside, held as part of the celebrations for International Women’s Day.

Using a traditional handmade technique called ‘handhooking’, Eyv makes unique handbags and rugs. Handhooking was originally used in northeast mining communities, where money was often in short supply, to make rugs out of old rags - an old fashioned version of recycling that predates the current methods by many years.

Eyv, from Stockton, said: “All of these pieces are really hardwearing and are designed to be used, not just looked at. Using handhooking to make them keeps an old technique alive and provides an immediate use for recycled plastics. It allows me to fulfil my artistic urges while also being ecologically sound – the best of both worlds.”

As well as making her handhooked items to order, Eyv works full time for the Art’s Development Office for Middlesbrough Council, working with children and adults to encourage greater involvement in the arts throughout Middlesbrough.

Eyv can be contacted on 01642 614243 or on e-mail: eyv@handhooked.freeserve.co.uk.

The We Create event also featured other examples of women’s art, design and writing. There were also networking and seminar sessions explaining how such creative endeavours can lead to business opportunities for entrepreneurial women

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