My next victim is Katcha Bilek who runs Re-Collect and designs and makes the most amazing fashion accessories from recycled materials – namely truck inner tubes collected from local tyre repair centres. The straps on them are old car seatbelts from local car scrap yards. The belts are made of bike tyres from local bike shops. Everything is hand made locally, cut and sewn by hand with no use of electrical machinery or children. The materials make a great alternative to animal products and due to the nature of the material each product is unique.
1. What is the name of your business and how did the name come about?
Re-collect – I collect rubbish and recycle it. Also, I remember/recollect the days when people didn’t just throw everything away: it was either mended or used for something else. I hope that doesn’t make you think I’m so very old!
2. Tell me a little about your business – what is it that you make and sell and where are you based
I’m based in Bristol and make eco-fashion accessories, furniture and sculptures using local waste, mainly inner-tubes and car and bike parts.
3. What inspired you to start your business?
I was taught to never waste and to be imaginative with what I had. When I lived on the road I started experimenting with making funky fashion with the little that I had – it was more of a practicality than an eco-statement.
4. How long does it usually take for you to complete a piece?
The bags take a few hours, as do the tables. Sculptures take a few days.
5. Where do you work?
Bristol, just moving premises though… watch this space!
6. What would be your dream project?
Designing for a co-operative and that said co-operative being a success.
7. What is the most challenging piece you’ve ever made?
I’ve been commissioned to make signposts out of recycled material which I thought would be a dodd… little did I know…
8. What is your favourite thing to do when you are not crafting/working?
Swimming and playing with my son.
9. Who are some of your favourite crafters/artists/designers?
Vivienne Westwood – check out her manifesto, Christophe Decarnin, Kandinsky, M.I.A, Gwen Stefani and lots of art deco and Bauhaus designers.
10. What inspires you / where do you get your inspiration when you are designing/creating your products?
The material I use inspires and also limits me – the tubes already have a shape which can be great to work with. However, some things can’t be done with them.
11. What are your favourite blogs and what online site do you visit a lot?
I never visit blogs as I don’t have the time. I mainly just check my emails and potter about aimlessly if I do have some spare time.
12. Where do you source your materials/supplies?
Mainly scrap yards, tyre repair centres and bike shops.
13. How do you balance your day job [if you have one] and your crafting enterprise?
My “day job” is my two year old boy and I craft when I’m not being a full-time mum.
14. If you could have any super power what would it be?
To always make the right decisions.
15. What is the last book that you read and enjoyed?
One of the Inspector Rebus books by Ian Rankin.
16. What is the last film you watched and enjoyed?
Oh, I can’t remember.
17. If you won a million on the lottery tomorrow what would you do with the money?
I don’t gamble so it’ll never happen, but if I did suddenly have that amount I’d give a fair amount to my family then buy a house with a big garden and go on holiday.
18. Where can we find your products for sale or see you products online?
www.re-collect.net, So High Soho in London, fig.1 in Bristol, skandal in Prague, yaya in berlin, imanart in Barcelona.
19. Any advice for other crafters out there who may want to start their own business?
Being organised is essential – I always seem to prepare for the Christmas high season way too late! Try starting the business before having a child!
20. What is your favourite recipe – savoury or sweet – care to share it?
I love food too much to have a favourite recipe!
I’ve been making venison stew quite a bit. there’s a bloke at my market that hunts and sells it and it’s the only meat I buy. I like to know that the animal had a life before it died, and that it didn’t have to queue up to die. Amazingly, the price is the same as the crap they sell in supermarkets.
I also absolutely love tabbouleh, which is made with with bulgar wheat and NOT couscous, as some heathens think. It also should have a lot more parsley than most westeners seem to add.
All cakes are fine by me too.
Many thanks Katcha for taking the time to answer all my questions.
All photographs taken with kind permission from Katcha’s online shops/blogs.
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Do you want to get featured on this blog? ‘Milomade 20 Questions’ is going to be a regular spot on my blog which will showcase other crafters/designers/artists who work predominantly with recycled, upcycled and reused materials. If you are interested in getting featured then please get in touch.
