Globally Savvy: My Interview with The Fuzzy Pineapple

Hello, friends! Show of hands, please: Do you consider yourself an artistic person? Obviously, I can’t see your hands, but my hand is down 😊 And I can barely trace the back of it! I have great respect for people who can paint, draw, build, and who are just innately crafty. That is one reason why I thoroughly enjoyed my interview with Nef, Chief Creative Officer at The Fuzzy Pineapple.

In The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability, Designing for Abundance, the authors discuss how makers and manufacturers don’t think about how, a piece of clothing, for example, will work in its next life. We’ve been trained to think about making “one-cycle” products. But, cooking is one example of how we think about an items future function. When we buy food, we are thinking about what we are going to do with it (preparation), what the food is going to do to us (fill us up), how it is going to help us (provides energy, the ability for our bodies to function).  Many pieces from Nef’s line have been given a new life. She is taking a step in the right direction, learning to ask, “what’s next?” It’s a new way to open our minds, imagine, and create. And, it’s fun!

Meeting Nef at the local Saturday morning market!

Thank you so much for your time! Why did you decided to launch The Fuzzy Pineapple? I launched because I wanted to get a job, but my dad wouldn’t let me. He wanted me to focus on school. So instead, he gave me $100.00 to purchase supplies to make and sell jewelry. This love of making and creating soon gave birth to The Fuzzy Pineapple!

What is your purpose, and the mission behind The Fuzzy Pineapple? My purpose has shifted from just building my personal brand to helping others to build theirs. My focus is now on building and growing TFP Art Fest, because I get to help others join the art and business world and make those all-important people-to-people connections. Ultimately, I envision TFP to have an “Etsy meets Renegade Craft Fair” vibe.

My little promo video!

Can you tell me about how you’ve incorporated upcycling into your business?  Stained, old, or ripped shirts get a makeover through screen-printing and tie-dying. I also tie-dye shorts, to give them new life. I upcycle jeans, and jean material. I use the off-cuts, or fabric scraps, to create blankets and bags for people in need. I create tapestries out of old bed sheets, that can be used as tarps, picnic blankets, and they also make beautiful gifts. I collect bottle caps from bars, and I use them to make earrings (this is my favorite part of her collection!). I used to make jewelry from leather scraps, but lately, I’ve shifted my work to include natural plant fibers, metal, gemstones, wood, bone, and glass.

Captioned Promo Video. I use Lumen 5. Super Easy!

Anything else you would like to share? Our style is characterized as “Where Candy Meets Culture,” and we make customizeable, wearable art for the person on the go. We are aware of today’s “grab-n-go” society, and we want to offer products that are sustainably and ethically- sourced.

This is when I spotted the bottle-cap earrings! 

I really enjoyed getting to know Nef.

As mentioned in the interview, Nef introduced me to the Renegade Craft Fair. This fair features many makers who upcycle, while connecting people from around the world. As I was looking through their list of artists, I found Kiboro. I love their motto, Second Chances Do Exist. This applies to people, clothes, furniture – you name it! Their clothes are made from repurposed materials, and they evoke a sense of community and tradition. But what happens to the Kiboro, when the baby outgrows it? Do you imagine and re-imagine what your furniture, clothes, car, can become? It’s an exciting way of thinking that can create new and endless possibilities, for a variety of businesses.

I’m learning a lot from this young entrepreneur!

Beautiful, inside and out! Do you have a favorite local business? Are you a DIYer, or do you enjoy re-purposing? I'm really good at re-gifting (don't tell anyone!!) ;) Thank you for reading!

Reference:

William McDonough, M. B. (2013). The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability-Designing for Abundance. New York: Melcher Media.