Stylish op shop takes different approach

The new Cocoon Store and Studio Op Shop wants you to think about the stuff you are not using and realise who you can help by giving it away.

The store is a fundraising project for Albany Community Hospice and works alongside Butterflies Op Shop, hand-picking vintage, retro, unusual and great-quality fabrics.

Local artists and upcycling designers are adding value to donations.

A donation of linen tablecloths with embroidery has been transformed into bomber jackets and a donation of placemats has become decorations on kids’ denim jackets.

An interior designer specialising in recycled design, store manager Sam Burchett said she wanted more people to be mindful about what they were donating to op shops.

“We are trying to change the consciousness of donating and just dropping off rubbish,” she said.

“We are trying to change the mindset of gifting — if you aren’t using it but it is lovely, then we will make sure that it is passed on to someone who loves it.”

If people upcycle something which fits with the store ethos, they are given a rack and a space to put their items on consignment.

Ms Burchett said people needed to change the way they thought about their clothes.

“Even if someone has a dress that they can’t get a stain out of, some of our up-cyclists use embroidery or lacework to cover the stain,” she said.

The cashless and paperless business uses Etsy and Ebay to raise as much profit for the hospice as possible.

An online store is on the horizon.

The store is an extension of and sits next to Butterflies Op Shop on Middleton Loop.