Gina Reid - G.Lee

I’ve always loved creating and making things. I have good memories as a child spending time with my Dad in his garage helping build all kinds of things including furniture for my dolls house, then learning to sew with my Mum and making dolls clothes.

That love of sewing led me to complete a diploma in fashion and design and then I spent a few years in the fashion industry as a pattern maker. 3 children later and my creativity turned to making kids clothes, bedding and furnishings. I always love the challenge of something new and enjoy trying different creative techniques.

After the earthquakes we had no power and water for a few months, we also had a houseful of family and relatives. I took up knitting in earnest as a peaceful pastime for my mind in the midst of the chaos. I started with scarves then after trying to buy a chunky knit blanket I decided to knit my own. Many unravelled meters of knitting later and I had perfected the pattern. Family and friends started requesting them and I started selling them, originally as a fundraiser to send my girls overseas for dance competitions and it has since grown from there.

I’m currently taking painting lessons which has unlocked a past passion that I gave up while child rearing. I love the process of creating, making something from nothing, making some thing beautiful and whole out of bits and pieces. The opportunity to work with like minded people at PIF and work in the beautiful shop is definitely uplifting and inspiring.

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