Tea Bag Story
Sue Jones’ Tea Bag Story…
Sue Jones is known for her wonderful hand made textile bags and accessories at the gallery and often incorporates recycled textiles in her work. As Sue hates waste she wondered how she could also up-cycle her teabags after enjoying a cuppa? So she set out to make some different items using tea bags in her own individual style. We’re looking forward to some of Sue’s new work and bags with a twist at the Gallery in May 2022.
Q. I understand you have been using tea bags to stitch on, where did this idea come from?
SJ. I saw an artist using tea bags for lamps and thought what a good idea. I hate wastage and how wonderful to upcycle tea bags. So I set myself the task of making 10 different things using tea bags.
Q. How is this going?
SJ. I have made four different items so far; a couple didn’t go to plan so I am experimenting with other options. It is quite a slow process; drinking the tea, drying the bags, emptying them and then ironing each one. All this before I can start to plan how I will use them. An extra bonus is the contents of the bags go onto the garden, which acts as fertiliser and deters some little pests.
Q. Why do you like the tea bags?
SJ. Each one is different, how you dry them can also change how it looks. When ready to start I have lots of unique markings on these little bags. The bags themselves can be square, round and others oblong. I can then start stitching, or join a few together before I start stitching. It would be impossible to make two identical items.
Q. Will we be seeing your tea bag items at Shoreham Art Gallery?
SJ. Yes, I hope that I will be able to display them all together when I have finished. We have some exciting things on at the gallery over the next couple of months so hopefully later in the year.
Q. Are you only making your tea bag items?
SJ. No, still finding time to make my textile bags and accessories. I have joined TextileArtist.org, which I find inspirational for new ideas. I try not to ever copy other artists but this site encourages me to go in new directions.
