Beautiful things

[susie_flo]

I want to share a website full of lovely things, from a company called Fine Cell Work. 

They sell handmade items produced by inmates of UK prisons.   It's mainly needlepoint, tapestry and quilting, all of which are made to a professional standard.  I spent an hour this evening devouring their website and reading the customer testimonials and stories from prisoners about how it has changed their lives, some of which are quite moving. 

I could happily buy up half the site, though the products are not cheap.  And nor should they be, given the huge amount of time, training and craftsmanship that goes into each item.  (There is an anecdote from one prisoner who worked solidly on a needlepoint cushion for 6 weeks, working between 6 and 14 hours a day, into the small hours)

They also sell tapestry kits for around £50, for anyone who'd prefer to make their own, or take commissions to make one-off designs.

They offer a mix of styles, but here are a few of my fav pieces...  (some of which are also available as kits)









A lot of their work is being snapped up and commissioned by museums and stately homes, including the V&A.  Well worth a look...


(sara_lou, the beetroot one so wants to be yours)

Comments

[chiller.livejournal.com]

Wow, those are stunning.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

They are indeed. I has want.

[chiller.livejournal.com]

Yeah, me too. Alas, funds suggest I shall have to try to knock out some sub-par home made equivalent.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Home made is a good way to go... and it won't be sub-par. You make lovely things.

[chiller.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks! Not sure I have the sort of patience needlepoint requires, though. Blimey, those things must've taken them for ever.

The kits look interesting, though - I love the beetroot one and the hares are win.

[childeric.livejournal.com]

Oh, those are rather lovely! Very De Morgan.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

They have a whole range of de Morgan designs!

[childeric.livejournal.com]

*checks*

Oh, that's because they are De Morgan. Duh.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Well at least it proves you have a connoisseur's eye ;-)

[childeric.livejournal.com]

Well, ye-es, but not quite good enough actually to recognise his work when I see it!

Ouch, see what you mean about the prices! Shame, but yes, it's lovely stuff.

[kissmeforlonger.livejournal.com]

Ouchy - expensive, but some are really very lovely.

I do wonder who wants a Boris Johnson needlepoint cushion though...

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

It seems expensive until you work out that it takes 100 hours to produce a cushion that costs £95....

The problem is we're all used to everything being factory made or mass produced in China. I think the kits are reasonably priced, though I fear I may lack the patience. (I think any cushion would feel like the crown jewels to me if I spent 100 hours making it).

[kissmeforlonger.livejournal.com]

My mum made an entire rug out of needlepoint one winter - after all that she could never look at it again and it went to a jumble sale. It's hard to think of a hobby as work, which is why I guess we don't expect to pay much for items like that.

Someone (whose name will probably come back to me at an inappropriate moment) bought a Margaret Thatcher cushion so he could sit on it and fart on her face. More achievable than dancing on her grave I would guess.

[gylfinir.livejournal.com]

I'd make it for you :)

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Oh lord, don't tempt me! I'd have to make something back for you. :-)

[gylfinir.livejournal.com]

Not necessarily :) (Though I do like your stripey arm e
warmers...) ;)

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Oh god, now you're really tempting me... that would be a marvellous deal. I would make you some in uber-luxury yarn in return for your tapestry skills. (Theoretically, what would be your ideal yarn & colours?)

[gylfinir.livejournal.com]

I love these, and I love the kits too (the hares are a particular favourite). And I would make the kits; I've made a needlepoint rug and innumerable cushions in my time, as well as a counted cross-stitch picture that took a whole year to complete.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

Flipping heck, that cross stitch is a-mazing! You do have a wonderful ability to complete lengthy projects

[gylfinir.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you! I just really enjoy the process; I lose interest as soon as I've finished. I think this one was my favourite.

[phonemonkey.livejournal.com]

That's really cool.