Zero waste crafter Pip Tudor spent lockdown beside her sewing machine, fundraising for a cause close to her heart
Some stories are striking reminders that good things can be brought from challenging situations – even a global pandemic.
Surrounded by second-hand fabric waiting to be woven into colourful masks, zero waste crafter, Pip Tudor laughed lightheartedly as she spoke of her creative endeavours of lockdown.
“I have so much fabric, it’s ridiculous,” she chuckles.
Previously a teacher by trade, Pip, 30, has been working at Cardiff’s first and most famous zero waste store, Ripple, for just short of two years.
Small beginnings
Pip explains her passion for sustainable living began with shopping second-hand in local charity shops, markets and car boot sales.
Today, she runs an Instagram account dedicated to zero waste crafting. From macrame plant hangers to screen printed t-shirts, she has no shortage of creative crafting ideas.
During lockdown, Pip started making reusable masks that were handmade for friends and “It all spiralled upward from there!” she began.
As the team discussed stocking face masks in store, Pip willingly offered to make a few batches, so Ripple began selling her masks by early summer.
Spending her evenings beside the sewing machine and working behind the scenes, she created 20 masks per night.
One morning, she recalled bringing in a batch of 65 only to find they had all been scooped up by the end of the day.
“It went a bit mad for a while!” she jokes.
Almost nonchalantly, Pip lightly adds, “I’ve been trying to tally up every time I make a new bundle of masks and so far, I’ve counted 400.”
Crafting for a cause
All proceeds have been donated to Labour Behind the Label, a Bristol-based campaign group supporting garment workers, Pip explained.
With the recent news of exploitation and poor regulations in garment factories in cities such as Leicester, Labour Behind the Label have been working to investigate and help those affected.
Though initially the mission was to raise a couple of hundred pounds, over £1,000 has been raised for the charity, she revealed happily.
If someone came in and didn’t have the money, I’d rather say, ‘Please take one,’ as I still wanted them to have a reusable mask
Carefully created from up-cycled materials with a pay-as-you-feel pricing model, Pip wanted to ensure that everyone who needed a mask would be able to access one.
“I didn’t want to set a price that was unaffordable for some people,” she said earnestly. “If somebody came in and didn’t have the money, I’d rather say, ‘Please take one,’ as I still wanted them to have a reusable mask.”
Credit: Pip Tudor
Personal action
It’s been disheartening walking along the streets to see so many disposable masks discarded on the floor, Pip noted, her voice sober.
“It’s frustrating when you spend so much of your time trying to encourage people to avoid waste like that. It’s hard,” she said.
Sounding more hopeful, she explained that since re-opening the store after lockdown, Ripple has welcomed new customers who are interested in taking personal action and becoming more sustainable.
Building a better future
Going forward, Pip concludes she hopes to be even more eco-conscious.
You don’t really need anything to be more sustainable – in fact, you need less
When it comes to living a sustainable lifestyle, considerate consumption is really important, she said with conviction.
“You don’t really need anything to be more sustainable,” she continues. “In fact, you need less.”
For Pip, making the masks has been a great way to clear out her fabrics and minimize materials. And it’s all for a good cause, she chirped.
Getting to know Pip What makes you smile? Trying on a perfect second-hand purchase and when it fits like it was made for me. How do you like to spend your free time? Swimming in cold water, cleaning and making things. Favourite second-hand find? Too many treasures to choose from! If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be? My great auntie Jane. Her story is really interesting. She was very misunderstood and she was a victim of her time and circumstance.