Meet Jen, the genius behind All-Agog Eco Lampshades!
Jen crafts lampshades from waste products and old frames she collects from local businesses, turning trash into quite the treasure! Where others saw single use, throwaway taster glasses, Jen’s creative, textile skills saw an opportunity to reduce landfill and repurpose something ordinary into something beautiful.
We first saw Jen at Moseley Arts market, where she shone as an independent retailer with the most encapsulating array of decorative lampshades and accessories.
We wanted to find out more about All-Agog, so we asked Jen some questions!
Which ways do you take sustainability into consideration when running your business?
Sustainability is at the very heart of my small business – in fact its very existence is based in sustainable practice.
I’m Jen – All-Agog, and I’m a lampshade loon, passionate about using up some of the vast quantities of stuff heading for landfill.
I create traditional hand bound, hand sewn statement lampshades of all shapes and sizes using reclaimed frames headed for landfill.
I’m also working towards using up textile waste in my lampshade fabrics, and already work with one commercial upholstery company who passes on those bits of quality fabrics too small to cover pub/restaurant/hotel seating etc – they’re perfect to make lampshades.
I also create mini fairy light lampshades made from repurposed used taster glasses. I work with a couple of local cider/gin companies to take their single use waste and turn them into beautiful unique fairy lights.
I then create textile accessories including eco wallets, eco scrunchies and eco face wipes from my own ‘textile waste’ to ensure all of that valuable fabric is used up with no waste.
And finally – I save all my teensy tiny leftover liberty fabric scraps to run scrappy art workshops at various festivals over the sunny summer months
What do you love about running your business?
I love the variety; I love that no two days are ever the same; I love thinking of new ways to combine my love of fabrics and lampshades and my need to work sustainably; I love meeting new customers at markets; I love making big custom statement lampshades and equally each set of unique mini lampshades; I love being creative every day… I love lampshades.
And finally, what do you love about Birmingham?
Ah Brum – I love Brum – the colour, the life, the vibrancy and variety …it’s my favourite place to come and do markets (I’m not too far away either – still my preferred place for a night out – if I had the energy!)
In my more energetic days, I loved the Tunnel Club! The Custard Factory! Digbeth Dining Club was amazing. I love the authenticity of this fabulous city. I like the canals. The music – Joan Armatrading, The Streets, Jorja Smith to name but a tiny few I love! Benjamin Zephaniah. The wonderful independent brands, (like Lou Moffat) and the friendly people. The list is endless… and I can’t wait to do Kev’s Walking Tour in the new year to find even more Jem’s (he’s a fab fellow trader with a huge personality) (Kevin Thomas www.birminghamwalkingtours.co.uk).
We are so inspired by Jen’s attitude toward a creative sustainable future in décor and can’t wait to see more of All-Agog in Brum! You can follow All-Agog to find out which markets they are here: @allagog1 and visit the online shop here: All-Agog on Folksy.