A Total and Utter Inconvenience!

Last weekend we held the first ‘Inconvenience Workshop’ at Denmark Farm.

Inspired by the Inconvenience Stall run during the People’s Market at Lampeter Victoria Hall. The ‘Inconvenience’ concept was coined by the motivational Cathy Streeter who is on a mission to get us all to tread more lightly. 

“We are caught up in a consumer society with convenience being sold with the disposable products we now buy that can save us time in our lives. But their creation and disposal produces other impacts on the planet, what if things could be done differently? Visit the “Inconvenience stall” for ideas to ditch the disposable and unplug. Learn how to make everyday items for personal care and the home that can be washed and reused and reduce reliance on throw away items.”

During our Inconvenience workshop we all had the opportunity to make washable face pads, a useful and unusual fold-away ‘market bag’, a little soap bag and beeswax wraps.  We all enjoyed a bowl of soup for lunch provided by way of a demonstration of Haybox cooking (retained heat) along with the opportunity to see and discuss the other items from the Inconvenience Stall. 

   One of the best things about the day, apart from Cathy’s skill sharing and ideas, was the opportunity to use several old Singer manual sewing machines. It was a chance to slow down the pace and step back in history, to a time when our grandmothers were still with us passing on all their wisdom.

A fabulous day spent with the lovely Cathy learning about how I can reduce waste and tread more lightly; so generous with her knowledge and enthusiastic about this subject, I left confident and inspired to do more at home.  The facilities at Denmark Farm were excellent and provided a perfect venue, and it was wonderful to be able to set aside the time to concentrate on this as I’d been thinking about it (and not doing!) for far too long.  Thank you ladies – I shall most definitely be back. Julie Holt

Thank you for the brilliant “Inconvenience” workshop yesterday. Finished my bag and am going to use it for my craft work. Cathy was a very knowledgeable and patient teacher and it was so nice to use the “non electric” singer sewing machines. A great day, with a great bunch of people. Jackie Hofmann

We are hoping to repeat the Inconvenience workshop and even hold a follow on event later in the year. In the meantime we have hatched another idea to enable local people to come together, share skills and fix or make stuff. Once a month on a Friday morning a sharing space will be provided at Denmark Farm. Folk are invited to bring their own craft tasks/projects to work on. This will be an opportunity to darn those socks, patch holes and tears in clothes, take up hems, sew on buttons or finish off crochet and knitting projects.

The emphasis will be on helping one another and sharing skills.

If you would like to join us please do get in touch and we can let you know the next date.

Don’t forget that throughout the year we hold many courses and events to encourage and support your sustainable living. Please keep an eye on our events list for details.