English Woman Turns Old Sofas Into Chic Leather Handbags to Cut Down on Waste

Have you ever thought of carrying a chic handbag that actually comes from a sofa? Sounds crazy, right? But one Englishwoman has made this seemingly bizarre concept a reality by turning old sofas into chic leather handbags. To save the old leather from the landfill, Lisa Crick upcycles all the good parts of old sofas and couches into beautiful totes, handbags, luggage, and messenger bags, within just a week.

The Designer

Lisa Crick’s works have highly impressed customers and now they all donate their old sofas and couches for free to get customized leather handbags. Keeping recycling as her top priority, Crick tries her best to use all parts of the old furniture. She even gives away cushion stuffing free of cost for people to use as dog beds. The 53-year-old has aptly and cleverly named her business New Beginnings. While talking to the media, Cricks said that she has been conscious of the amount of waste we make each year, and that has led her to become passionate about waste management and recycling. Seeing people carrying the handbags she made always gives her a sense of accomplishment and pride.

The Journey

It all started in 2018 when Lisa Crick tried her hand at bag sewing. Her husband Dave asked what she was planning to do with the old curtains, which they had just replaced. As Cricks recalled, she just said that she would try to make luggage using them. She never thought “in a million years” that she would be here today, selling her bags and being loved by customers. Her handmade totes are for sale on a website and also in a pop-up store located in Dilton Marsh, Wiltshire, England. According to Cricks, the sofa handbags fly off the shelves more quickly than the rest.