Jewellery designer turning trashed spoons into treasures to raise funds for hospice
A jewellery designer who makes products from old silver spoons will be selling his creations in aid of Strathcarron Hospice as part of Open Studio Stirlingshire June 7-15.
Mark Drury, who also volunteers at the hospice, was inspired to fundraise for Strathcarron after wanting to do something for a charity which he felt would impact most on local people's lives. Mark decided to share his story as part of Volunteer Week June 2-8.
The 78-year-old started donating money to the hospice from selling his paintings and then decided to create jewellery from old silver spoons after being inspired by the BBC programme 'Money for Nothing', where entrepreneur Sarah Moore saves things from being dumped and transforms them into valuable pieces.
Mark, who lives near Doune, said: 'I have always liked silver – it's bright and shiny and I am like a magpie! It is easy and relatively cheap to work with. I could buy a box of cutlery for £45 and create items for sale recycled and sell them for £200 for the hospice.
'People like them because they are handmade, for a charity and silver is very popular at the moment. It is amazing what you can make from something that no one wants anymore!'
When Mark retired from his commercial property job aged 54 he says he struggled with the transition to retirement, so decided to go travelling around the world for a few months at a time over seven years.
His new experiences across the globe inspired him creatively and he also witnessed the abuse of aid and subsidy in some countries, sparking an interest in how he could help others at a local level in his own area.
Aged 61 he enrolled in Glasgow School of Art, followed by Jo Pudelko's Jewellery School in Dunblane. Mark has been making artwork and silver jewellery for seven years with all the proceeds being donated to Strathcarron.
Mark said: 'All my life I had worked in a desk job and ran offices dealing with huge commercial property deals. It can be a real problem for men when they retire, to disconnect from the role
they have had all their working life. They get the suit, the tie, and the title and they think that is their identity, and then some people struggle when they retire.
'I went back packing all over the world for a few months at a time. I needed the time and space to like myself and find that I had the confidence to try new things and use those skills to help others. Having spent my life behind a desk, I love the tactile side of making things and knowing that it has helped others at the Hospice as a result.'
Mark added: 'Two years ago I started volunteering at the hospice after Eileen the Volunteer Co-ordinator had reached out saying the hospice needed people to help.
'I assist the domestic team with duties, serve tea and coffee to patients and their family members and help set up the trollies for lunch.
'When I am there I am no longer Mark Drury the double breasted suit and shiny shoes businesses man – it is a real leveller working at the hospice and I meet a whole range of people. It is extraordinary to find out about the life and experiences they have had – people are really interesting.
'I love the people at Strathcarron and it is an amazingly happy place. The domestic team I work with are absolutely fantastic – we have good fun. They have a great sense of humour! I couldn't have been stuffy or I wouldn't have lasted! It has been a real insight into people, I have learnt a lot.
'Volunteering at the hospice has made me realise it's about enjoying the moment and realising that by helping others you get as much, if not more, than what you give. There is a wonderful feel good factor and sense of self-worth and contribution.
'To know that me bringing my energy into a room can help make a patient's day so much better, that's a nice thing. It is what being human is all about – these connections.'
Mark Drury is taking part in Open Studios Stirlingshire in aid of Strathcarron Hospice June 7-14, at this studio at Northland House off the B826, KY16 6AD.
For more information visit www.scenestirling.com/open-studios-stirlingshire.
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