Session 1: 23/09/23 Time:13:00-16:00
Location LCB Depot.
Location LCB Depot.
6 young women came together to transform furniture, develop new transferable skills, minimise landfill and share their views and experiences on key issues that impact their lives.
Studio 102 at The LCB Depot
Product disasselmby
Product clean up
Product redesign
Product repurpose
Reconfiguring parts to create a new product
Product disassemble
A range of tools used to achieve the end result
Product clean up
Stripping away old paint
Sanding materials to reveal the beauty that lies withon
Sanding smooth surfaces before applying something new
Unstitching parks to use as a template
Removing old varnish before a new finish is applied
Planning and creating directly onto the product
Sanding away varnish ready to apply a fresh new layer of paint
Some amazing product developments made today! Overjoyed with the creativity in the room. Such a calm and focused atmosphere! Saturday Afternoons at The LCB Depot is the place to be for making a mess and getting creative!
After a few ice breaker activities, the group could not wait to their design hats on. All of the participants are working on different pieces of furniture, they spent some time considering how to transform it into something else or how to modernise something old. When you remove the barrier of expectation and create a person led space the possibilities are endless!
Session 2: 30/09/23 Time:13:00-16:00
Location LCB Depot. Persevere and succeed.
Location LCB Depot. Persevere and succeed.
Our second session was just superb. All of the participants were able to communicate what they wanted to create and took on advice on how to take the next steps. With a lot of sanding back, determination and positive attitude, these young women know how to get things done.
A is transforming an old chair into a guitar stand.
M is turning a knitting tidy into a handbag.
I is revamping a sewing box.
K is repurposing an old table into a mosaic tiled mirror with jewellery tidy.
F is updating an old stool into a bed side table.
Aw is cleaning up an occasional table and adding her creative flare.
We also used this space to openly talk about the recent attack on school girl Elianne Andam in Croydon.
'It starts off with the small stuff like being told no you cant have my snap... stuff doesn't get challenged, boys can't accept no. It seems like the Croydon attack was like and extreme reaction to being told no.'
M is turning a knitting tidy into a handbag.
I is revamping a sewing box.
K is repurposing an old table into a mosaic tiled mirror with jewellery tidy.
F is updating an old stool into a bed side table.
Aw is cleaning up an occasional table and adding her creative flare.
We also used this space to openly talk about the recent attack on school girl Elianne Andam in Croydon.
'It starts off with the small stuff like being told no you cant have my snap... stuff doesn't get challenged, boys can't accept no. It seems like the Croydon attack was like and extreme reaction to being told no.'
'Boys/men seem to validate other boys/men, and girls also go to boys/men for validation. Why don't girls support and validate other girls?'
'I don't feel safe without my phone, I won't leave the house without it.'
It was so insightful to hear the thoughts and views of the young women who come to Material Girls.
It was so insightful to hear the thoughts and views of the young women who come to Material Girls.
Session 3: 07/10/23 Time:13:00-16:00
Location LCB Depot. Resilience and a planned approach
Location LCB Depot. Resilience and a planned approach
From paying attention to detail and working with precision to exploring finishes, the progress being made is just inspiring to watch. And to top it the young women shared that the sessions make them feel calm and helps to develop resilience and confidence.
During our discussion we explored the pressure they are under to achieve, social media and how racism affects them at school and in the community.
'We have to make some big decisions about our future quite early and its hard to know whats the right choice.'
During our discussion we explored the pressure they are under to achieve, social media and how racism affects them at school and in the community.
'We have to make some big decisions about our future quite early and its hard to know whats the right choice.'
'Theres no where to hide, something happens at school and it just carries on on social media, if you don't have your phone you miss what's said and if you do, you can't escape it.'
'Its like people have no filter and say what they like, then don't know how to act when you see them face to face. I'll call out racism wherever I feel it, its just not ok.'
Session 4: 14/10/23 Time:13:00-16:00
Location LCB Depot. Laughter and relaxation
Location LCB Depot. Laughter and relaxation
Our fourth session was full of a planned and focused approach along with a lot of laughter, relaxation in a calming environment. The young women learnt to use a range of new hand tools as well and continuing with some well practise processes too. From sawing to precision sanding, these transferable skills are exactly what our young people need to problem solve and find solutions to practical problems.
We also spent some time discussing some serious challenges like the use of the 'N' word amongst their dual-heritage peers. How racism is challenged or not challenged by the education system and how they are standing up to comments that impact their lives. Being able to share lived experiences in a safe space without the worry of being judged for our young women is such a rarity in our society.
We also spent some time discussing some serious challenges like the use of the 'N' word amongst their dual-heritage peers. How racism is challenged or not challenged by the education system and how they are standing up to comments that impact their lives. Being able to share lived experiences in a safe space without the worry of being judged for our young women is such a rarity in our society.
Session 5: 21/10/23 Time:13:00-16:00
Location LCB Depot. Forging bonds and getting creative
Location LCB Depot. Forging bonds and getting creative
Our fifth session was all about making a mess and pushing the limits of what the group can do and achieve. There was a lot of shared laughter and the atmosphere was calming and chilled yet the creative was mind blowing!
Session 6: 28/10/23 Time:13:00-16:00
Location LCB Depot. Final Touches and the big reveal
Location LCB Depot. Final Touches and the big reveal
The final touches were applied to the products during this excitement filled session. From wax to lacquer spray. Reassembling screw and polishing these are just some of the finishing processes that the young women attempted and were successful in achieving to get such fantastic results!
Here we have a guitar stand made from an old pine chair that had been fly tipped. A sewing box has been repainted and turned into a hobby box. An old Ikea table has ben repurposed into an occasional mosaic mirror with jewellery storage. A knitting bag as been up cycled into a handbag and an old carved table has been loving restored and hand painted revealing its hidden beauty.
Here we have a guitar stand made from an old pine chair that had been fly tipped. A sewing box has been repainted and turned into a hobby box. An old Ikea table has ben repurposed into an occasional mosaic mirror with jewellery storage. A knitting bag as been up cycled into a handbag and an old carved table has been loving restored and hand painted revealing its hidden beauty.
Final Showcase- 04/11/23
