About Mae Kandoo…
Inspired by strolls along the prom and sights along Brightlingsea Creek on the River Colne. Featuring ‘Mr. Kalkitos’ made using my first pattern from ‘Family Circle’, November 1979
Hello! I’m Vik. Thanks for taking time to look to find out about Mae Kandoo…
I returned to live on the East Coast after studying and working in London for twenty years which was a welcome lifestyle change. Combining my passion for vintage textiles and the joy of crafting I decided to turn an ideal into reality. In 2012, I started my business Mae Kandoo. Inspired by strolls along the prom, days at the beach and sights over Brightlingsea Creek I began making seaside themed gifts and home accessories. Souvenir style with a twist! By using beautiful reclaimed and vintage fabrics (love them!) and adding designs that are individually stitched using free motion embroidery, every piece has a unique feel. The Souvenir style ‘twist’ is the quality. Making things that last; keepsakes to cherish.
One of the souvenir designs that has proven to be popular is the Seagull. From this, I developed a range of textile birds. As someone who can be delighted by the look and feel of fabrics, designing and making the birds has involved exploring the tactile quality that can be created by combining differently textured fabrics with other materials.
Living on the coast, it’s hard not to consider the impact of modern lifestyles on the environment. Seeing plastic waste that’s left when the tide goes out is a reminder of a consumer culture that is diminishing natural resources and endangering species. When I decided to start up a business, this was at the forefront of many decisions. So it’s not just about what I make, it’s how. In an attempt to streamline how this manifests day to day, I’ve tried in these bite-sized chunks…
Beautifully crafted
Handmade from carefully selected vintage, reclaimed and remnant materials, Mae Kandoo’s gifts and home accessories have a bespoke quality. Combining different textures and colours, they are wonderfully tactile. With often quirky features added using free motion embroidery, each piece brings a little bit of handmade joy to the home!
“The care taken with materials, design and execution is outstanding. She works whole heartedly and as a result her offerings have a lot of soul.”
Something special
Original designs that are thoughtfully made. It is attention to detail that makes Mae Kandoo’s gifts and home accessories stand out as small statement pieces to have around the home (or in a handbag!) Souvenir style with a twist! Ideal as a little something special to treasure or as a personal keepsake to cherish.
Personalizing products is more than adding a name in an on trend font! Finding out a bit more about personal interests and favourite things helps to add detail. Giving people choices over fabric options adds value to a gift because they have been involved in the process too!
Ethically made
Small steps towards protecting the environment matter. Mae Kandoo supports the slow fashion movement through:
1. Small batch production which values the time taken to ensure quality - not mass! - production
2. Creating products that are made to last. Keepsakes to cherish - not ‘throwaway’
3. Sourcing materials within the UK to minimize the carbon footprint
4. Using reclaimed, vintage and remnant materials to help reduce landfill waste
5. Protecting the environment by using drawstring bags made from reclaimed clothing for packaging
6. Using eco postage supplies from a UK company who support Eden Reforestation Projects.