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Big-hearted elementary teacher Erin Carney has been using her upcycling skills to raise funds for Teachers Across Borders Uganda programme.
The talented teacher who picked up the craft after an uncluttering session with her mum back home in the US, has been donating all her profits from her trade to the nonprofit organisation aimed at helping improve the quality of education through the professional development of teachers.
Erin, from Riffa, said: “I got involved with Teachers Across Borders two years ago when they established a partnership with the Bangladesh School Bahrain. We have been creating Saturday workshops for the teachers at the school to best fit the needs of the school. We provide professional development, and it is great opportunity for teacher to teacher collaboration.
“Last year, I also became involved with the Teachers Across Borders Uganda Programme. We provided a week long professional development session to introduce updated teaching practice and English language instruction to the village of Katwadde and the surrounding areas.”
The profits raised from her BD4 or BD6 rugs, BD6 ornamental balls and BD8 eggs, will help purchase supplies for the schools and the teachers are also helping in building a new school in Uganda. Over the past two years, Erin has collected BD580 through her sales.
She is delighted that her craft came in handy for those living in Uganda and encourages others to put their passions to good use too.
Erin herself has been crafting from a young age. She said: “I love learning new crafts and techniques and using unconventional materials. I used to knit and crochet my own hats and scarves when I was younger.
“I like to experiment, try out new ideas and not always follow a pattern. I also am inspired by my great-grandma, who made quilts from fabric scraps, and created braided rugs from old blue jeans. Those items I use here in Bahrain every day.”
Erin mainly uses second hand t-shirts and in Bahrain she finds tons at different thrift stores such as the one for BSPCA.
“Some of the shirts that get donated to thrift stores are not able to be resold,” she explained. “I purchase these shirts; it gives the thrift store a sale and helps them get rid of items they would not normally be able to sell.
“Since I get my shirts in this manner, this means that I never know what colours I am going to get and am able to work with.”
It can take her about two hours to crochet a small rug, but with the cutting of the shirts and turning them into yarn can result in six hours of rug making.
As for the holidays, Erin has been making one-of-a-kind ornaments to be sold at various fairs.
“I have been making Pyansky eggs, which are Ukrainian Easter eggs, using egg shells, wax, and dyes to create intricate patterns. I have also been making Temari Japanese yarn balls and turning them into ornaments that can be hung on a tree. Both of these art forms I learned while I was in college. I was thrilled to be able to find an outlet to make these crafts again.”
Those interested in picking up different rugs and ornaments to aid her fundraising efforts can contact her directly via Instagram @erin.carney2 or email her on erin.carney2005@gmail.com
