Who What &Why?
Ench or Enchie was my late mum’s unique way of pronouncing Ange or Angie, in her German Samoan accent. It’s my way of remembering her, my late dad, and my pretty crazy childhood growing up in the 60’s & 70’s with 8 siblings in good old Mt Roskill, Auckland.
A time where all the neighbourhood kids would be outdoors after school, playing football on the road (as rugby was known then), climbing trees, playing Cowboys and Indians, (amazing no one got killed lol) marbles, knuckle bones, double dutch skipping, bull rush, well at least I was lol, apparently I was a tomboy? Or maybe the alternative of staying inside to play with my dolls, and colour in, or help mum in the kitchen just seemed a bit sedate? (sorry mum) Oh the choices we girls had back then!
Anyhow, JURJ it UP came about because like most people from that era and even before, I don’t like things being thrown away when they still have so much life in them. I also discovered accidentally at a ceramics hobby class in Warkworth area back in 2001 that I love to paint! And so began 3 years Art’s & Craft’s study at Hungry Creek, Puhoi, where I discovered also a love of power tools and what they can do. Straight after, there were 4 more years of study at Elam Fine Arts School, University of Auckland where I could fine tune my skills even further, (and learn to make movies! watch this space lol in my spare time of course.)
So now I’m doing my bit for the environment by “jurjing up” all those old style uncool, outdated, abandoned, ugly, whatever, but once loved beauties (after all, it is in the eye of the beholder right?) with the purpose of mending their broken parts, making them up to be absolutely brand new once again, and so bring new joy and new love to a new home, to help make new memories for another family. Not upholstering large pieces yet, but it’s on the cards. However, if you want me to paint it!
Keep “jurjing them up” everyone and share your pics on my Facebook page @jurjitup of any projects you have made brand new again or need advice on.
by Ench xx
