Episode 7 Money for Nothing


Episode 7

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Transcript


LineFromTo

Oh, just before you throw those away...

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How do you make money for nothing?

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-Can I have it?

-You can have it, yeah.

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The answer could be hiding in the 30 million tonnes of household waste

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we throw out every year.

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Now, this is one seriously unusual tip find.

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That's why entrepreneur Sarah Moore wants to get her hands on things

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before they hit the skip.

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I'm a passionate user, maker and buyer of old stuff

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and I've turned my passion into a moneymaking business.

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I make new stuff out of old stuff and I sell it for profit.

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And with some of the country's elite designers and makers...

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These were going to be thrown away? Seriously?

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I love it, love it, love it.

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..she can transform her finds into desirable...

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It looks brand-new.

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..valuable...

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You are joking.

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..and hopefully saleable items.

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That is a triumph!

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If Sarah is successful, then she can hand the profits back

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to the very people who had no idea

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there was cash to be made from their trash.

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That is amazing!

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Sarah's starting in Surrey today at the Witley Recycling Centre,

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searching for four items that she can save, transform and trade

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for cash.

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Wonky sideboards, stopped clocks, occasional tables, legless chairs -

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they can all be made marvellous and all make money.

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All I've got to do is find them.

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Sarah's been given special permission to be here at Witley,

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so please don't go raking your local rubbish tip.

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Leave that to the experts.

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I can tell the quality of your rubbish.

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You've got superb quality rubbish.

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Could make a hat.

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Oh, yes, there's all manner of things at the tip today

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and it's not long before Sarah spots

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Jason with a boot-full of potential profit.

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You've got some nice pieces of wood...

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and bits, what...? Is it a new kitchen?

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This is an old... Part of the sink that we took out -

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-we put a new sink in.

-I like that.

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I've just had no use for it,

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so I'd be really happy if somebody used it.

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-Let's have a look.

-OK.

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Sarah's eye has been caught by a fresh piece of untreated oak

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that's been left over while making new kitchen cabinets.

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That, I think...

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I don't want that, but that looks lovely.

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-It's a coffee table in the waiting, isn't it?

-Could be.

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Thank you very much for letting me have this bit.

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-I'm loving the fact that it feels so chunky.

-Yeah.

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And I've got lots of people who really make lovely things

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out of natural wood and they'd be really pleased to see this.

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Yeah, fantastic.

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So, hopefully... I'll come back and show you what I've done

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and maybe even turn up with some profit.

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-Yeah.

-Thank you ever so much.

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Come on, then, Jason,

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what do you think will become of that large chunk of oak?

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I looked at that and I thought I could possibly make

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a coffee table out of it, but my hands are hurting

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after all of this work so I just ran out of steam on it,

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so it's really great that somebody else could do something with it.

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So this lovely chunk of oak has got everything

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about it that it needs to be recycled.

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It's solid, it's in one piece, it's new, it's untreated.

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So, given all its great qualities,

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I know exactly where this is going

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and I think there's some potential profit in this,

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because it's a big, solid piece of English oak.

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It is indeed.

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Sarah knows where she's taking that,

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but it's not perhaps where you'd think.

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Artist blacksmith Bex Simon is an expert in manipulating metal

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into high-end furniture and bespoke metalwork commissions.

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Together with husband Dave, this formidable team has the skill

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and imagination to create something special from...any old iron.

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I think I find inspiration in pretty much anything and everything.

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And then the passion is to create and build and design,

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which I just love. It's incredibly satisfying,

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it's really nice.

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The love of bending and shaping metal is understandable,

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but what exactly will a blacksmith do with a huge chunk of wood?

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-How you doing?

-How are you doing?

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-Look what I've got!

-It's wood!

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You've got wood! Are you all right?

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-I'm really well, how you doing?

-Put it down here.

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-It's quite heavy.

-It's a lovely piece of wood.

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Yeah, I think it's that way up.

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I thought, because it's so beautiful,

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I love the kind of matt quality of the wood...

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-Yeah.

-I was just thinking, with some of your beautiful shaped legs on it,

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I was wondering about having something quite industrial-looking,

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like nuts and bolts or something maybe, like, coming through it.

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So, say if it's round, you could have, like,

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just three and it's sort of self-balanced,

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so they are piercing the top.

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Piercing sounds great.

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It's either kind of a javelin shape,

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so they're getting sort of thinner...

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Maybe you could do that. If it's piercing it,

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maybe it gets slightly thinner at the bottom and then a big

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chunky, bolt-y thing at the top.

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Yeah, because you have a flat bit with the bit coming through

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and it's sort of balancing on three legs.

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Industrial-looking legs!

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I've got a pair of them myself.

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But this table will need three,

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so how much will it cost for each leg?

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Um, say 60,

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and then we can sort of fiddle about and, you know,

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make something really nice and it will look like

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a really good interiors piece, you know?

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That's £180 in total for the three legs.

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Now, what's the plan for the wood?

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I'm wondering, are you OK to cut wood

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or do you want me to get this delivered to you in a certain shape?

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-What would be easier?

-If we worked out between us what shape

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and then, yeah, that would be good.

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I could make a template, so that would be fine.

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I love your enthusiasm.

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I love yours!

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Let's make a plan for the shape, then, and I reckon

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we've a fairly simple solution to that.

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-Brilliant, well done.

-Yep. No, marvellous.

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Once the shape is agreed,

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Sarah's going to organise getting the wood cut

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while Bex takes care of the javelin-shaped legs.

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Brilliant. You have that, that and that, and I'll take the wood.

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OK. Keep in touch, yeah?

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See you later. Bye.

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I think it's going to turn out a really, really nice,

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quite classic little piece. So, looking forward to making that...

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if we get the fire started.

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Bex has got her work cut out with the legs

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and I've got my wood to cut out.

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I think this table is going to be sweet,

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saleable, and I think we'll make a profit.

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With £180 already dedicated to the legs

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and the cost of preparing the wood still unknown,

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can this adventurous table live up to its price tag?

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With another three items still to find,

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Sarah has a unique strategy at the tip.

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BELL RINGS

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Service? Any rubbish?

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Remember, if it goes in there,

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it ain't coming out.

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Undeterred, Sarah's spotted something interesting

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in Rob's hatchback.

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Prepare yourself, Rob, here she comes.

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What have you got in the back, there?

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-Hello.

-Hello, there.

-Hiya.

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-What are they?

-Erm...

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Some old detail from a property we owned

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before the one we're currently in.

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-OK.

-Um... Lovely Victorian place, and we had to take a chimney out,

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-and this was the detail above the cupboard.

-OK, so it was sort of...

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-May I have a look at them?

-Yeah.

-So, tell me... Was it an arch, or...?

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-This way.

-That way?

-Yeah. This was an arch below a lower cupboard with a shelf in this gap.

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Aren't they cool?

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Sarah's uncovered a wooden architrave.

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This architectural piece dates from the 19th century.

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Fantastic.

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Would it be possible to get them all out and just have

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-a quick look at them?

-Yeah.

-So, what do we think? Victorian detail?

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Yeah, I think the house was mid-1890s, or so.

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They definitely shouldn't go in the wood skip.

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There's something to be done with these, I'm sure,

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and I'd love to take them away and

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have a think about something for them. Would that be OK?

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Please do, yeah. I'd love to see them be made a use of.

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Those are fantastic.

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-Thanks ever so much!

-Pleasure.

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Don't run off, Sarah!

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The carved detailing in these pieces is well worth preserving,

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and Sarah can see a pleasurable amount of profit

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in those Victorian off-cuts.

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What about Rob?

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It will be a lovely piece of timber if someone takes

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the time to strip it.

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It'd be nice if someone could get creative and make

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a nice piece that someone else can benefit from.

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Look at those.

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They are so beautiful.

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Things like these just don't grow on trees, especially at tips.

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Architectural detailing like that has a value in its own right.

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Sarah's got just the man in mind to help her maximise

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the potential value in this special find.

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Daniel Heath has a passion for all things sustainable.

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An award-winning wallpaper and textile designer,

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Daniel loves adding an artistic flair to reclaimed materials

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to create made-to-order furniture and contemporary design pieces.

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I've always been interested in drawing.

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I've always drawn things, from a very young age.

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I used to watch wildlife programmes

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and come away and draw the animals.

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I guess I always wanted to be able to apply those drawings to something,

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so the routes were...graphic design or textiles,

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and it's actually meant that I've been able to take

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my imagery and put it on all sorts of different things,

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and it's been really good fun doing that.

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How is Dan going to transfer his skills

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onto those old Victorian architraves?

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-Oh, they look interesting.

-I'm really excited about these.

-Yeah.

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I think they've got heaps of potential. Look at them.

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Right, OK. Yeah, that's nice.

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Pretty strong Victorian styling on them, isn't there?

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Yeah.

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They're quite nice things as they are.

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Sarah's initial idea was to transform the architectural

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oddments into some kind of a table.

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But design-brain Daniel might have other ideas.

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Whatever it is we do, you kind of want to see all of them.

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You don't want to hide away any of the detail

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and I think maybe if there's a tabletop on top,

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they're kind of underneath...

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So I think...they can go together in some way, can't they?

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Just try this... I think...

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How big is the... Oh, right, OK, it's really quite...substantial

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if we put them all together...

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I know what you're going to say.

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Wow, OK...

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It's a corner bath, isn't it?

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Jacuzzi!

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No, it's not.

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-It's a massive mirror.

-It's a massive mirror, yeah,

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-it's a real statement piece.

-The killer idea -

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that's genius, it's... I'm...yeah, I'm blown away.

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It's... I'm just thinking it's going to be a huge, huge piece and

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it's going to...really increase the value.

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Daniel has completely reimagined the cornices into a huge mirror frame.

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He may also engrave the mirrored glass with

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a pattern of his own design.

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I have some...

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Some beautiful birds that we can put swooping in

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-and various foliage.

-I think that sounds beautiful

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and I'm thinking I'm going to have to pay up to have something like

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-that created.

-I think we're talking about £500-600...

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And the main cost will be actually the glass, the mirror.

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-And the engraving of a piece of that size.

-OK, well,

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I think if it comes out anywhere close to how I'm imagining it,

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it's going to be a very beautiful thing. I hope it goes well,

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don't break any mirrors cos I want to be lucky on this one, all right?

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-OK!

-Enjoy yourself!

-Cheers.

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This is a huge mirror, it will be one of the biggest that we've done.

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So it does have its challenges and making sure the whole thing

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comes together without any hitches.

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So, let's just hope Daniel can manage to keep his enormous

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project in one piece... It will need to be something special to make

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a profit on that £600 budget.

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Back in Surrey, blacksmith Bex is getting started

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on the spear-like legs and chunky bolt fittings

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that will hold up the oak tabletop Sarah is having cut into shape.

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It is basically making it so it has got this nice, slow,

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you know, not to a point but...

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..looks nice and slick rather than just a straight bar.

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Before the legs can be tapered,

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first they have to be cut.

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Fancy a cup of tea?

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Bex is using mild steel to form the legs.

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It's a malleable alloy that can be shaped

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when heated above 1,000 degrees Celsius.

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It's more often used in a building context

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and so will provide this coffee table with an industrial feel.

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So I make the bolt, just use that material to make the bolt

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so it's, like, quite slick and small,

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or go nuts and do a big fat bolt.

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But then, it's a coffee table - it might get in the way.

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Ah, it's a tough decision to make.

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Yeah, doing the smaller, neater... Using that material.

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So, small and elegant is the way forward,

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and she can check out her design against the tabletop,

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as Sarah has now returned the chunk of oak all shaped and finished.

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Oh, wow, it's like a giant kidney bean.

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Oh, it's really nice. Look, with her dirty hands.

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No, it's got a really nice shape.

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It'll go well with the legs.

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We haven't told her that we're going to countersink,

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you know, the nuts and stuff, so, you know,

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rather that it looks like they're plonked on,

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they're going to be set in nicely with the little top,

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so it's a really nice detail.

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With the top ready to go,

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Bex concentrates on putting the finishing touches

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to the metal legs with a bit of help from Dave's, erm, pants?

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Actually, there's a new pair that I've been planning to bring in.

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It's when they start to look a bit like a skirt...

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They were perfectly good underpants, them.

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I don't know what she's doing with them in here.

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Four or five years in them!

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Very unflattering, dear.

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Very unflattering.

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Poor Dave. Now all that's left to do is drill and stain the wood,

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fix it together and then show Sarah.

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I can't wait to see this one.

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I hope she likes my nuts.

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SHE CHUCKLES

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Anyway... So immature. Right.

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Back in Walthamstow, Daniel and his assistant Laura are about to

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get to grips with the bits of Victorian architrave.

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What new skills am I going to have to learn today in order to

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make this work?

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He sounds a bit nervous.

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Let's just hope he hasn't bitten off more than they can chew.

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We've made a start on stripping them back,

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and what the intention would be is to join them together

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to make a huge frame for a mirror.

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So we're just going to strip down these other two.

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The heat is on for Daniel and Laura as they get down to stripping

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the chipped layer of gloss paint from the wood beneath using heat guns.

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Dan also removes any old nails in the architrave and the ornate ends,

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which he hopes to include in the finished item.

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-That wasn't too bad.

-Nice.

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He has to be careful using a heat gun,

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especially on soft pine like this.

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Too much heat and your wood could burn and...

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Well, I'll let Dan explain the other problem.

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I was a bit over-zealous with the scraping

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and scraped off a little bit of wood.

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I have to take it easy from now.

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Careful, Dan, you don't want to make any more holes.

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He'll fill in any gaps in the wood later with

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a colour-matching wood filler to help create a smooth finish.

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Right, not far to go on this one.

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With the wood stripped,

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it's time for Daniel to start fitting those huge pieces together.

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Now, the risk is,

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with these arches,

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is that they won't be completely identical.

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So I might need to see how they marry up, basically,

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once I've joined these two together,

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and see if I need to make any

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adjustments in order to make it fit all the way round.

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Sounds simple enough, but Daniel's a print designer, not a carpenter.

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This is all new territory.

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I hope my measurements are accurate enough.

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Me too, Dan.

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He's carefully drilling holes into each arch end,

0:17:500:17:54

into which he places dells.

0:17:540:17:57

I'm just going to hammer them in with some glue on the end,

0:17:570:18:01

some wood glue on the end, and then bring those pieces together.

0:18:010:18:05

And they should...

0:18:050:18:06

marry up quite well.

0:18:060:18:09

If he's done his measuring right,

0:18:090:18:11

these will hopefully match up and secure with the corresponding

0:18:110:18:14

architrave corner, which in turn will create

0:18:140:18:17

a frame for the huge mirror he hopes to eventually fit.

0:18:170:18:21

OK, this is proving a little bit more tricky than I'd hoped.

0:18:220:18:25

As we can see, erm...

0:18:250:18:27

This is flat on the table, so it needs to be square,

0:18:280:18:31

and these are not marrying up square because they're not cut straight.

0:18:310:18:36

And that won't do for a perfectionist like our Daniel.

0:18:360:18:39

So I'm going to take these apart and I'm just going to sand them,

0:18:390:18:43

and I'm just going to get them both completely at right angles

0:18:430:18:46

so that they'll marry up.

0:18:460:18:48

To get the joint flush,

0:18:480:18:49

Daniel's going to use his workshop's industrial sanding disc.

0:18:490:18:53

It's a powerful tool,

0:18:540:18:56

but can it create the perfect fit he's looking for?

0:18:560:18:59

It's not bad, I think it's just about there.

0:19:010:19:03

I think I'm just going to have to go for it.

0:19:030:19:06

You certainly do.

0:19:070:19:09

That's still a long way from the perfect polished and expensive

0:19:090:19:12

mirror he's promised Sarah.

0:19:120:19:14

Sarah has now returned to the workshop of Bex and Dave to see

0:19:180:19:21

the fruits of their labour.

0:19:210:19:23

Did you spit on it?

0:19:280:19:30

I think she'll be pleased, don't you?

0:19:300:19:32

I think she'll like this one.

0:19:320:19:34

There's not much to not like about it.

0:19:340:19:36

It's been in our house for a little bit for the wood to dry

0:19:360:19:40

and it looked quite nice in there.

0:19:400:19:43

I've been really looking forward to seeing what Bex has managed to do

0:19:430:19:46

with that old piece of worktop

0:19:460:19:48

because although it was only quite a small item,

0:19:480:19:50

it's potentially a really big transformation.

0:19:500:19:53

When Sarah dropped off the chunk of untreated oak,

0:19:550:19:58

it was unremarkable and unwanted.

0:19:580:20:00

In collaboration with Sarah,

0:20:030:20:05

Bex and Dave have created an elegant kidney-shaped coffee table.

0:20:050:20:11

Hand-forged steel legs complete with chunky fittings

0:20:110:20:14

are countersunk into the tabletop,

0:20:140:20:17

which has been stained black to match the legs.

0:20:170:20:20

-Hello, hello, hello.

-Hello!

0:20:240:20:27

-Is that it?

-Might be.

0:20:280:20:30

-Let's have a look, then.

-Here you go.

0:20:320:20:34

Oh, my word. Are they metal?

0:20:340:20:36

-Yeah.

-How cool are they?

0:20:360:20:39

It looks really good, doesn't it?

0:20:390:20:41

Yeah, it's worked out nicely.

0:20:410:20:44

I thought it was going to be sort of less polished and a bit metally,

0:20:440:20:49

kind of, rougher, but it's really fine.

0:20:490:20:51

So tell me, was it a good thing to do?

0:20:510:20:53

-Was it a nice make?

-Yeah, definitely,

0:20:530:20:55

cos we got to do a bit of forging on it.

0:20:550:20:58

So we made the nuts and we taped the legs down to have that nice,

0:20:580:21:03

you know, clean shape going down.

0:21:030:21:06

These are great, aren't they?

0:21:060:21:08

You can't get those off the shelf.

0:21:080:21:10

They look amazing.

0:21:100:21:12

I think I cunningly chose a three-legged table

0:21:120:21:16

because we were paying by the leg, weren't we?

0:21:160:21:19

It was something like 60...

0:21:190:21:21

60 quid a leg.

0:21:210:21:23

-Anywhere near that?

-Yeah.

-It's about right.

0:21:230:21:25

By the time you've messed about with the wood,

0:21:250:21:30

got it all working and nice, it's about right.

0:21:300:21:33

It's very cool.

0:21:330:21:35

I'm glad you like it.

0:21:350:21:37

I think it's a charming thing made out of something that was, you know,

0:21:370:21:41

scrub-top utility piece of wood, so I'm really pleased with that.

0:21:410:21:45

-Thanks so much.

-Brilliant, thank you.

0:21:450:21:47

Always lovely to see you.

0:21:470:21:49

-How heavy is it?

-It's not too bad.

-Not too bad.

0:21:490:21:52

-You'll be OK.

-That's what they always say.

0:21:520:21:55

-Take care.

-See you later.

-Bye.

0:21:550:21:57

There's always the question of what other people

0:22:000:22:03

-will think of your work.

-Yeah.

0:22:030:22:06

No, it's really good and she was really pleased,

0:22:060:22:08

so that makes us really pleased.

0:22:080:22:11

-You're wearing my hat.

-Yeah, all right!

0:22:110:22:14

My hat now.

0:22:140:22:15

Those guys just pull it out of the bag every time.

0:22:170:22:20

Look at the finish on that.

0:22:200:22:21

(It's fantastic.)

0:22:210:22:22

When Sarah spotted Jason at the tip in Witley,

0:22:260:22:29

she immediately spotted potential.

0:22:290:22:31

You've got some nice pieces of wood and bits.

0:22:320:22:34

-Is it a new kitchen?

-This is an old part of the sink that we took out.

0:22:340:22:38

We put a new sink in.

0:22:380:22:39

Jason was quick to catch on with ideas of his own.

0:22:390:22:42

I looked at that and I thought I could possibly make a coffee table

0:22:420:22:46

out of it but my hands are hurting after all of this work so I just...

0:22:460:22:49

I just ran out of steam on it.

0:22:490:22:51

Fortunately for Sarah,

0:22:510:22:53

it was full steam ahead when the finished coffee table

0:22:530:22:56

was offered for sale, and it was soon snapped up

0:22:560:22:59

by a vintage and retro retail outlet in London.

0:22:590:23:03

Sarah has returned to Witley to show what Jason what became

0:23:030:23:06

of his oak cast-offs and possibly hand of some profit.

0:23:060:23:10

-Hi, Jason.

-Hi, how are you doing?

0:23:100:23:11

-Yeah, really well. How are you?

-Good, thank you.

0:23:110:23:13

-Nice to see you again.

-Yep.

0:23:130:23:15

I said at the tip that it would be great to catch up if I'd managed

0:23:150:23:18

to do anything with your chunk of oak so I'm here, I'm here.

0:23:180:23:22

We actually managed to use it.

0:23:220:23:24

-Do you want to see what we did?

-I'd love to, sounds great.

0:23:240:23:27

-So, that's how it turned out.

-That's unbelievable, isn't it?

0:23:270:23:29

That is great. I honestly just thought it would be

0:23:290:23:32

just a nice square oblong of...

0:23:320:23:34

That's what I was going to make.

0:23:340:23:36

But that, yeah, that looks fantastic.

0:23:360:23:38

The good news is it sold and it sold at a profit,

0:23:380:23:40

so I've got some money to hand over to you here.

0:23:400:23:42

I've got...

0:23:420:23:44

Wow, that's incredible. I wasn't expecting that at all.

0:23:440:23:46

£4 there and another 60 more to go with it.

0:23:460:23:48

That's unbelievable. I wasn't expecting that at all.

0:23:480:23:51

Thank you so much.

0:23:510:23:52

So, 64 quid.

0:23:520:23:55

Any ideas what you'd do with £64?

0:23:550:23:57

There's a lot of things I'd like to do with it

0:23:570:23:59

but my children might have a different idea

0:23:590:24:01

about what I can spend it on.

0:24:010:24:03

But, yeah, I'm sure we'll find something fun to do with this.

0:24:030:24:07

-Excellent.

-A day out, I should think, at least, yeah.

0:24:070:24:09

Thank you so much for all of your time and for letting us come back

0:24:090:24:12

-and showing you what we did.

-Thank you.

-Take care. Bye-bye.

0:24:120:24:16

Sarah spent a total of £206 on the coffee table.

0:24:180:24:22

£180 for the three hand-forged legs from Bex,

0:24:220:24:26

the cutting of the wood cost £6 and £20 was spent on wood stain.

0:24:260:24:31

With a sale price of 270, that left £64 to return to Jason.

0:24:310:24:37

I think Jason was genuinely surprised

0:24:370:24:39

and quite pleased with what we did with his chunk of oak.

0:24:390:24:42

And £64, I think the family are going to have

0:24:420:24:44

a lovely day out with that.

0:24:440:24:45

Buoyed by the success of the first item, Sarah is looking for

0:24:500:24:54

another gem, this time at the Walsall Recycling Centre.

0:24:540:24:57

Is it comfy?

0:24:590:25:01

I have no idea. I've never sat in it.

0:25:010:25:03

Come on. You've just started!

0:25:030:25:04

You can't be needing a sit-down already.

0:25:040:25:06

Get a move on.

0:25:060:25:08

Your days are numbered.

0:25:080:25:10

Scary stuff.

0:25:100:25:12

Now she's back on her feet,

0:25:140:25:15

she's spotted a vision in red leather in Zia's car.

0:25:150:25:19

-Hiya.

-Hi.

0:25:190:25:20

-Getting rid of the sofa?

-Yes, we are, yeah.

-Oh, it's a chair.

0:25:200:25:24

I thought it was a sofa.

0:25:240:25:26

Is it...? It's yours? You're just chucking it out?

0:25:260:25:28

-It looks in really good condition.

-It is, but the springs have gone.

0:25:280:25:32

-OK.

-So...

-If it's not comfortable...

0:25:320:25:34

-No...

-No, I totally understand.

0:25:340:25:36

The chair is a red herring.

0:25:360:25:38

It's the red leather that's caught Sarah's eye.

0:25:380:25:41

I really like the idea of using the leather

0:25:410:25:43

from something like this,

0:25:430:25:45

so yeah, definitely be great to have a look at it.

0:25:450:25:47

-Shall we get it out...

-Yes, absolutely.

0:25:470:25:49

..to have a closer look?

0:25:490:25:50

The price tag on leather goods is growing.

0:25:510:25:54

Repurposing the leather from this sofa could be a real money-maker.

0:25:540:25:58

I think...if we might only use the...

0:25:580:26:02

Can I have a look at the other cushions?

0:26:020:26:03

I think what I might do is just take the cushions away.

0:26:030:26:06

I think I should be able to get enough material out of those,

0:26:060:26:09

and then recycle the chair, if that's all right.

0:26:090:26:12

-That's fine.

-Cos those are some really lovely cushions.

0:26:120:26:15

Any ideas what we might make out of them?

0:26:150:26:17

Uh...

0:26:170:26:18

I think cushions would be a nice, easy option.

0:26:180:26:21

Hmm. A little too easy, Zia.

0:26:210:26:24

I think it would be great to take those away, if you don't mind.

0:26:240:26:26

No problem.

0:26:260:26:27

What does Zia think of Sarah scarpering with his cushions?

0:26:290:26:33

Hopefully, somebody can get some use out of it

0:26:340:26:36

rather than just throwing it in the rubbish bin and go to landfill.

0:26:360:26:39

Sarah is going hell for leather to make over this item,

0:26:390:26:42

but could she be on a hiding to nothing?

0:26:420:26:45

Now, there is just heaps of leather in these cushions.

0:26:450:26:49

I really want to see what it's like on the inside

0:26:490:26:51

but I can't do that without ripping... Oh, no, look.

0:26:510:26:54

OK, so, it's a sort of pink suede on the inside.

0:26:550:26:58

I'm thinking maybe this would make, you know,

0:26:580:27:01

loads of handbags out of this, or maybe even a coat.

0:27:010:27:04

Really good find cos there's just heaps of potential

0:27:040:27:07

with what we've got here.

0:27:070:27:08

And Sarah knows just the man

0:27:080:27:10

to turn all that potential into profit.

0:27:100:27:12

When you think bags, think Neil Wragg.

0:27:140:27:18

From salvaged unwanted materials,

0:27:180:27:20

Neil creates everything from handbags to haversacks,

0:27:200:27:24

and prides himself on the fact that his handmade bespoke bags

0:27:240:27:28

will last a lifetime.

0:27:280:27:30

I love being able to create something

0:27:310:27:33

from what would be rubbish, I suppose, to other people.

0:27:330:27:38

You could have, for example, a tent that was at Glastonbury

0:27:380:27:43

and saw the Rolling Stones and then now it becomes a bag,

0:27:430:27:47

and it's seen quite a life already.

0:27:470:27:51

So, everything here has got a personality.

0:27:510:27:53

All the bags have lived a life,

0:27:530:27:55

and they're now about to live a second life.

0:27:550:27:57

But will Neil be able to raise the old leather cushions

0:27:570:28:01

from the dead too?

0:28:010:28:03

-Hello.

-Hi. Hi, Sarah. How are you doing?

0:28:040:28:07

I'm really well. I've got presents for you.

0:28:070:28:08

Right. I'm a little worried.

0:28:080:28:10

There's loads here, aren't there?

0:28:100:28:12

Right, well, we've got some funky red cushions.

0:28:120:28:16

One, two, three, four, five.

0:28:160:28:18

Do you know something,

0:28:180:28:20

I thought there was more than enough here

0:28:200:28:21

to make something out of,

0:28:210:28:23

so you must be able to make a purse out of this lot, Neil.

0:28:230:28:25

-Come on.

-I think we can do more than a carrier bag, yeah.

0:28:250:28:28

So, we're game on for a bag then, you reckon?

0:28:280:28:30

Yes. You've brought be something that I can sew and it's not alive.

0:28:300:28:34

Yes, it would be awkward if one of the cushions started to moo.

0:28:340:28:37

Time for Sarah to drop the bombshell.

0:28:370:28:40

I was hoping for a bespoke range of designer luggage.

0:28:400:28:44

That's not difficult, is it?

0:28:440:28:45

Luggage I can do. It's just the design.

0:28:450:28:48

I absolutely love the messenger bags that you make,

0:28:480:28:51

so I was wondering about maybe one of those out of it.

0:28:510:28:55

-Easily, yeah.

-And a big, usable, expensive weekend bag out of it.

0:28:550:29:01

OK, well, we can do that as well.

0:29:010:29:03

But the idea is that things would last a lifetime,

0:29:030:29:06

so we've got a good start with the fabric.

0:29:060:29:08

I love what you're saying because this has already had its life,

0:29:080:29:11

so now if we can make luggage out of it,

0:29:110:29:13

another 50 years of wear, that's brilliant.

0:29:130:29:17

Phew. That went better than expected.

0:29:170:29:19

Neil seems pretty unflappable, but there's always a snag.

0:29:190:29:22

I don't like the colour,

0:29:240:29:26

and I'm worried that it's not as saleable in this colour,

0:29:260:29:29

so I'm wondering if you've ever dyed stuff before

0:29:290:29:31

or if you think you might be able to make it a bit more stylish,

0:29:310:29:34

a bit darker, a bit richer.

0:29:340:29:36

Well, that would be a journey, won't it?

0:29:360:29:38

We have enough fabric. We can do some tests.

0:29:380:29:41

We can give it a go.

0:29:410:29:43

Not the most confidence-inspiring answer from Neil.

0:29:430:29:46

I'm not sure dyeing is something he's keen on.

0:29:460:29:49

And there's still the matter of the material for the lining.

0:29:490:29:53

The ethos of what I do is to make things

0:29:530:29:55

out of something that would end up in landfill.

0:29:550:29:58

So, this used to be an old Scout tent.

0:29:580:30:00

It's heavy-duty canvas, so I think we use that as lining.

0:30:000:30:04

-That is right up my street. Scout canvas. Perfect.

-Great.

0:30:040:30:07

That has now got a nose-to-tail kind of story.

0:30:070:30:10

Once upon a time, there was some manky tents

0:30:100:30:13

and a smelly old sofa.

0:30:130:30:14

Is that the kind of story, Sarah?

0:30:140:30:16

So, I think I'm sold.

0:30:180:30:19

I've got a messenger bag on one shoulder,

0:30:190:30:21

I've got a beautiful, scrunchy, rich-looking holdall on the other.

0:30:210:30:24

-How much is that going to cost me to make me two of those?

-OK.

0:30:240:30:27

We're looking at £95 for the messenger bag

0:30:270:30:30

and then the holdall, we could say the same thing.

0:30:300:30:33

Thank you ever so much. I hope the dyeing goes well.

0:30:330:30:36

-Part of the journey.

-Ooh!

0:30:360:30:38

Well, that is another load of old rubbish off my mind

0:30:420:30:45

and into Neil's.

0:30:450:30:46

And if he gets it right, I shall be making bags of money.

0:30:460:30:49

It wouldn't be Sarah if there wasn't something awkward.

0:30:500:30:53

She wants me to recolour it, so that's going to be the challenge.

0:30:530:30:55

So, we'll see.

0:30:550:30:57

That's £95 for Neil's tried and tested messenger bag design,

0:30:570:31:02

and the same again for a completely new holdall design.

0:31:020:31:06

In total, that's £190 committed.

0:31:060:31:09

With a new dyeing technique to master

0:31:090:31:11

and some worn-out leather to work with,

0:31:110:31:14

I do hope Neil can pull it off.

0:31:140:31:16

Back in Walthamstow, Daniel has put the final shine on

0:31:220:31:25

the Victorian architrave, which has become a massive mirror.

0:31:250:31:30

I'm really excited to show Sarah this mirror

0:31:300:31:32

because it's quite a big one.

0:31:320:31:34

Yeah, pretty excited.

0:31:340:31:36

And, on reflection, Sarah is very keen to see it too.

0:31:360:31:40

I am truly excited to see what Daniel has done

0:31:400:31:43

with our old architrave.

0:31:430:31:44

I think this item is going to be stunning.

0:31:440:31:46

When Sarah dropped them off, these bits of 19th-century woodwork

0:31:490:31:53

were chipped, cobwebbed and destined for dereliction.

0:31:530:31:56

Thanks to Daniel's design genius, they have now become

0:32:050:32:08

a stylish mirror, ready to grace the very grandest of rooms.

0:32:080:32:11

The old bits of carving now form a graceful frame for

0:32:170:32:20

the massive mirror within,

0:32:200:32:21

which has been delicately engraved with Daniel's own print design.

0:32:210:32:26

The original floral details in the architrave have been retained,

0:32:310:32:35

reflecting the new item's origins and adding a hint of trendy,

0:32:350:32:39

distressed detail to a very polished piece.

0:32:390:32:42

-Daniel, it is amazing!

-SHE GASPS

0:32:450:32:49

Thank you, thank you.

0:32:490:32:51

I work with a lot of different people and I'm lucky enough

0:32:510:32:54

to see some pretty stunning things, but, honestly,

0:32:540:32:57

Daniel, this is just amazing.

0:32:570:33:00

These things were, you know, nearly in the tip,

0:33:000:33:03

and look what you've done. It is genuinely a stunning piece.

0:33:030:33:07

Really, I am so proud of you for doing that.

0:33:070:33:10

-I can't believe how beautifully these have come up.

-Yeah.

0:33:100:33:12

Talk me through the etching on it, because it is just lovely.

0:33:120:33:15

Well, the etching, I didn't want it to cover it completely because

0:33:150:33:18

people always want mirrors to be functional in some way.

0:33:180:33:21

But we had so much room to play with, so I thought two jays -

0:33:210:33:24

one swooping in from one side and one perched on the other -

0:33:240:33:27

was just enough to give it a little bit of narrative and storytelling.

0:33:270:33:31

I think whoever ends up owning this - and I have to say,

0:33:310:33:34

unfortunately, it can't be me because I would really like this -

0:33:340:33:38

they're going to be really lucky. It's a beautiful piece.

0:33:380:33:42

Sarah left Daniel with a top budget of £600 and,

0:33:420:33:46

not surprisingly, he used every penny.

0:33:460:33:48

But the craftsmanship is definitely reflected in the final piece,

0:33:500:33:54

and hopefully also in its resale value.

0:33:540:33:57

I would put such a high price on this because I think

0:33:580:34:01

it's absolutely lovely.

0:34:010:34:02

I think it is so original and what you've done with what you

0:34:020:34:06

had and the whole thing, what you've done,

0:34:060:34:08

is lovely, and I want to see this making a lot of money,

0:34:080:34:11

and I'd love to be handing back a big profit to the guy

0:34:110:34:14

who dropped the architrave off cos...

0:34:140:34:16

-It should sell well, shouldn't it?

-It should do, it should do, yeah.

0:34:160:34:19

Yeah.

0:34:190:34:20

Sarah is delighted with the massive mirror.

0:34:200:34:23

Well done, Dan.

0:34:230:34:25

Well, I had high hopes for the mirror, but even I was surprised

0:34:250:34:29

how absolutely amazing it looks. That is a total winner.

0:34:290:34:34

Sarah's eyes lit up when she spotted Rob's Victorian bootful.

0:34:350:34:40

What have you got in the back there?

0:34:400:34:42

And Rob was delighted to see them rescued.

0:34:420:34:45

I'd love to see them be made use of.

0:34:450:34:47

Rob's luck was in because Sarah was more than happy to oblige.

0:34:470:34:51

-Something can be done with these, I'm sure.

-She wasn't wrong.

0:34:510:34:54

The architraves were completely reimagined and Sarah was on

0:34:540:34:58

a mission to find the mirror a new home.

0:34:580:35:00

She hosted a pop-up sale in her barn and put it out on sale.

0:35:010:35:05

Sarah also tried listing it on online sites,

0:35:070:35:10

including eBay, Etsy and social media, but were there any takers?

0:35:100:35:15

Sarah is off to see Rob to tell him what became of his architraves.

0:35:170:35:22

Since they met, Rob's relocated to North Berwick,

0:35:220:35:25

in the east of Scotland.

0:35:250:35:26

-Hi there, hello.

-Hello again.

-How are you doing?

-Very well.

0:35:260:35:29

-Nice to see you.

-And you. I met you in Godalming.

-That's right.

0:35:290:35:33

And you were on the move to here, isn't this fantastic?

0:35:330:35:35

We've changed a bit, but, yes, now we are east coast of Scotland.

0:35:350:35:39

-Absolutely stunning.

-On a day like this, yes.

0:35:390:35:42

You had held on to your architrave for quite a while, hadn't you?

0:35:420:35:44

I had. I'd already moved one property

0:35:440:35:46

and then it came to another big move,

0:35:460:35:48

and whilst I didn't want to lose them,

0:35:480:35:51

I hadn't used them and it just felt...

0:35:510:35:53

It was a big bit of a stretch to take them to Scotland.

0:35:530:35:56

-What were you going to do with it if you'd used it?

-I never knew.

0:35:560:35:59

I mean, I enjoy doing up properties and I just thought

0:35:590:36:01

they might slip in somewhere in a subtle way,

0:36:010:36:04

but I never would've made something creative out of them.

0:36:040:36:06

It just would have been a little prop for a shelf

0:36:060:36:08

or something of the sort.

0:36:080:36:10

I took it along to a guy called Daniel Heath,

0:36:100:36:12

who is this fantastic surface pattern designer.

0:36:120:36:15

I've got some pictures here to show you what he did.

0:36:150:36:17

I hope you approve.

0:36:170:36:18

-Here is your architrave...

-Wow!

-..turned into the biggest mirror.

0:36:180:36:23

That is stunning, isn't it?

0:36:230:36:25

You can completely see what it originally was,

0:36:250:36:27

but repurposed beautifully.

0:36:270:36:30

I love it, absolutely love it.

0:36:300:36:31

I mean, that's brilliant that you've got people you know that

0:36:310:36:34

are that skilful to produce wonderful things from

0:36:340:36:37

something that I had no purpose for, so...

0:36:370:36:39

Fantastic, love it.

0:36:390:36:40

It is still for sale and it is one of those things that I need lots

0:36:400:36:44

of people to go past it because it's going to be a big investment piece.

0:36:440:36:47

When it does find a home, I'm going to be back in touch,

0:36:470:36:49

-hopefully garnishing some profit for you.

-Wow.

0:36:490:36:54

You never expect that, but that would be lovely.

0:36:540:36:56

We've got a lot of work to do on the new house, so anything is a help.

0:36:560:36:59

But I just love seeing it repurposed and going in someone's home.

0:36:590:37:02

-That's fantastic. Well done. Great work.

-Excellent.

0:37:020:37:04

-Thanks ever so much.

-Thank you so much.

-Good luck. Cheers.

-Bye-bye.

0:37:040:37:07

Bye.

0:37:070:37:09

With Daniel's labour costs coming in on budget of £600 and

0:37:110:37:15

the mirror yet to sell, it does mean we may have loss of £600,

0:37:150:37:20

but I've got a feeling it won't be long before it is snapped up

0:37:200:37:24

and we can return any profit to Rob.

0:37:240:37:26

It's now time for Sarah to find something to get her own

0:37:360:37:39

creative juices flowing.

0:37:390:37:41

Oh, goody. That was a U-bend. Haven't had one of those before.

0:37:440:37:48

Er, let's just let that one go, eh?

0:37:480:37:50

-Oh, look, Christine and Matthew have a boot full of loot.

-Oh, hiya.

-Hi.

0:37:530:37:57

-I love that.

-It's been in the attic for quite a while.

-Isn't it cool?

0:37:590:38:04

-No, it's not cool, is it?

-No.

0:38:040:38:06

Well, actually, it is cool.

0:38:060:38:08

No, I'm with Matthew, it's not cool.

0:38:080:38:10

-So you said it's been in an attic?

-Yep. It's Axminster, I think.

0:38:120:38:15

-Lovely, British quality wool.

-Yeah, used to be the lounge carpet.

0:38:150:38:20

Wow, so...

0:38:200:38:21

Yeah, it looks like it's been used,

0:38:210:38:23

or may have been under the sideboard or something like that, doesn't it?

0:38:230:38:27

So how old's your house?

0:38:270:38:30

Well, since the 1930s, so that could be at least 50 years old,

0:38:300:38:35

or something like that.

0:38:350:38:36

These type of carpets have been made in the Devon town of Axminster

0:38:360:38:41

for more than 260 years,

0:38:410:38:42

and they're still supplied to classy residences all over the world today.

0:38:420:38:48

Christine and Matthew, however, need convincing of this carpet's merits.

0:38:490:38:54

People love this kind of thing. Can you see it?

0:38:540:38:57

No.

0:38:570:38:59

Right, I'm going to roll up the carpet, and thank you

0:38:590:39:01

so much for letting me have it.

0:39:010:39:02

You're very welcome. Have fun with that.

0:39:020:39:04

I will have fun, actually. I really will.

0:39:040:39:06

Well, if anyone can have fun with a bit of old carpet, it's Sarah.

0:39:060:39:10

Hopefully, Christine and Matthew will see its beauty

0:39:100:39:13

when she's done with it.

0:39:130:39:15

She said you can trim it up and make a runner, or something, out of it.

0:39:150:39:19

Cos actually, it's quite good quality, isn't it?

0:39:190:39:22

Or one of those old-fashioned carpet bags.

0:39:220:39:25

That might be quite retro, mightn't it, actually?

0:39:260:39:29

Yeah, I think Matthew's going to need a little bit more convincing.

0:39:300:39:35

Love it? See the potential?

0:39:350:39:37

No, honestly, this is going to be lovely.

0:39:380:39:41

Beautiful 1950s original carpet.

0:39:410:39:44

I don't think this bit has been used that much.

0:39:440:39:46

It will need a really good clean-up

0:39:460:39:48

if we're going to make any money out of it, but this could be fantastic.

0:39:480:39:53

Loads of potential here.

0:39:530:39:55

Under the wide skies of the idyllic Sussex countryside...

0:40:040:40:07

..Sarah's at home in her farmhouse,

0:40:090:40:13

and she's about to get to grips with a colourful item of her own -

0:40:130:40:17

that roll of old carpet she grabbed at the tip.

0:40:170:40:21

I absolutely love this big, bold floral style of carpet,

0:40:220:40:26

but I really want to make the most of it,

0:40:260:40:28

so I've decided that I want to make luggage out of it.

0:40:280:40:31

Victorians used to make carpet bags and use them all the time,

0:40:310:40:34

and original ones sell for an absolute fortune,

0:40:340:40:36

but I'm hoping just to create something that is pretty

0:40:360:40:39

and usable, and make a few quid out of it.

0:40:390:40:42

The Victorians might have been a dab hand at carpet bags, but

0:40:440:40:48

Sarah's never made one before, so this job ain't going to be simple.

0:40:480:40:53

I think there are going to be quite a few challenges trying to

0:40:530:40:55

create something that is useful and saleable.

0:40:550:40:59

Especially since the carpet's been gathering dust in an attic.

0:41:000:41:03

-So, first job is to give it a really good clean.

-I'll say.

0:41:040:41:10

Sarah's borrowed a domestic carpet cleaner for the job,

0:41:100:41:15

and she'll need it.

0:41:150:41:16

I've never used one before, but can't be that difficult, can it?

0:41:160:41:19

Power on.

0:41:190:41:20

Before the suitcase became popular, carpet bags were used as luggage

0:41:260:41:30

by travellers who would otherwise have to take heavy wooden trunks.

0:41:300:41:34

Who knew carpet cleaning was so much fun?

0:41:370:41:39

It looks a riot.

0:41:390:41:41

So much brighter.

0:41:410:41:42

Just going to roll it up in front of the fire,

0:41:430:41:46

see if I can get it to dry.

0:41:460:41:48

With the carpet de-ponged, Sarah's got to figure out how she'll

0:41:500:41:54

create the structure of the new bag she wants to make.

0:41:540:41:58

And luckily, somebody who knows I like an old thing

0:41:580:42:01

has given me this bag.

0:42:010:42:02

Sarah plans to combine the skeleton of the tatty old leather bag

0:42:040:42:07

with the carpet fabric to make her new luggage,

0:42:070:42:11

but first she'll need to take the bag apart.

0:42:110:42:15

I've only got one chance to get this right, so I need to cut carefully.

0:42:150:42:18

Maybe I'll just pull it apart first and see what happens.

0:42:180:42:20

Maybe you should think it through, Sarah.

0:42:200:42:23

Ooh!

0:42:240:42:25

Or just rip it to bits, that'll work too.

0:42:250:42:28

I don't really like the idea of having a comfort zone,

0:42:340:42:36

but I'm well out of it right now.

0:42:360:42:38

Excellent, it's all coming together really well(!)

0:42:450:42:48

Chin up, Sarah.

0:42:480:42:49

But I love a challenge.

0:42:530:42:55

Attagirl. With the leather bag stripped back to its bare bones,

0:42:550:43:00

she cuts panels from the carpet fabric.

0:43:000:43:03

I'm just using a nice sharp craft knife.

0:43:030:43:06

It's easier than cutting it up with scissors,

0:43:060:43:08

because this is really tough stuff.

0:43:080:43:09

As soon as I cut carpet, it starts to fray.

0:43:110:43:14

So what I've got to do is find a way of stabilising this edge, so that my

0:43:140:43:18

carpet bag doesn't just become a bag of fluff every time you touch it.

0:43:180:43:22

-SIGHS

-For goodness' sake, it's a nightmare.

0:43:230:43:25

Oh, it's done it again.

0:43:250:43:27

That's a real problem,

0:43:270:43:29

but Sarah's got a solution in the shape of her trusty sewing machine.

0:43:290:43:34

If I were to stitch fabric strips along the edge, maybe I could

0:43:340:43:37

stitch the fabric together, and get a really good join in the bag.

0:43:370:43:41

Thrifty Sarah had these flowery fabric offcuts at home

0:43:430:43:46

that she's now using as the bag's end panels.

0:43:460:43:50

Yes, that'll work.

0:43:530:43:55

Will it, Sarah? It still looks much more carpet than bag to me.

0:43:560:44:01

She has her work cut out if that's ever going to be saleable.

0:44:010:44:05

As she already had the scraps of material,

0:44:060:44:09

so far Sarah's only spent £5 on some strong glue.

0:44:090:44:13

Stick with it, Sarah.

0:44:130:44:15

In Marlow, Neil is getting to grips with all that lovely red leather

0:44:190:44:23

that he's transforming into a messenger bag and holdall.

0:44:230:44:27

And he has lofty ambitions for his work.

0:44:270:44:30

These bags don't just hold stuff. They save the planet, you see.

0:44:300:44:34

Introducing...super bags! HE CLEARS THROAT

0:44:340:44:38

First, Neil cuts the leather to his ready-made templates.

0:44:380:44:42

Sometimes it's quite cool to keep these seams in

0:44:420:44:45

so that it looks like it was a sofa.

0:44:450:44:47

Sarah has always asked that these leather-clad superheroes

0:44:470:44:50

transform from Superman red to Batman black.

0:44:500:44:54

Don't mind us.

0:44:540:44:55

Oh, look. Catwoman. CAT MEOWS

0:44:550:44:57

Dyeing can be a messy business,

0:45:000:45:02

so Neil has moved outside with the leather pieces

0:45:020:45:05

he has cut to size and cleaned.

0:45:050:45:07

He's painting an oil-based dye directly onto the surface

0:45:070:45:11

until it soaks in, being careful to keep it even.

0:45:110:45:15

They need 24 hours to dry, but here are some he made earlier.

0:45:150:45:19

Get a few coats buffered up and finish it off with some cream.

0:45:200:45:25

Despite all that fuss, it looks like this dyeing malarkey

0:45:250:45:29

is not so scary after all.

0:45:290:45:32

With the leather now ready, Neil is choosing and cutting

0:45:340:45:37

parts of the Scout tent canvas he's using for lining.

0:45:370:45:41

You don't know where it's already been.

0:45:410:45:43

It could've been a tent that saw the Stones at Glastonbury.

0:45:430:45:46

It could've been a tent that has done a trek to the Himalayas.

0:45:460:45:49

Or perhaps more likely it housed loads of freezing children.

0:45:490:45:54

You don't want to lose their personality,

0:45:550:45:57

so we might keep in some of the old writing or labels.

0:45:570:46:00

We can keep some of these in. Makes it look very tent-like.

0:46:000:46:06

So, the only problem with doing this is it's going to make

0:46:060:46:09

some parts of it really thick.

0:46:090:46:11

Luckily, his heavy-duty sewing machine,

0:46:120:46:15

nicknamed The Blaster, is up to the task.

0:46:150:46:18

And it's important to Neil that his bags are fit for purpose, too.

0:46:180:46:24

Nowadays, you've got laptops, iPads, tablets.

0:46:240:46:28

There's so much to carry.

0:46:280:46:29

People just want to carry something that's going to last.

0:46:290:46:32

Neil clips and sews the gusset and the back pieces

0:46:320:46:36

using The Blaster.

0:46:360:46:37

I have to use the clips cos you can't use pins with leather,

0:46:370:46:40

cos you'll end up with holes all over the place.

0:46:400:46:43

I'm sewing everything inside out, so there's no stitching being shown.

0:46:430:46:46

So, this is the body of the bag.

0:46:490:46:51

See, if you've sewn everything upside down,

0:46:510:46:53

back to front, inside out.

0:46:530:46:56

We've got one pocket there, which is obviously the old tent.

0:46:580:47:03

One pocket there for your tablet.

0:47:030:47:04

One pocket there for your mobile phone.

0:47:040:47:07

Better get on the next phase.

0:47:070:47:08

That messenger bag still needs a cape. Sorry, flap.

0:47:100:47:13

And he's also got to make the holdall,

0:47:130:47:16

and Neil has never made one before.

0:47:160:47:18

I need to attach it to the top...

0:47:180:47:19

..first, and then I can turn it right side out afterwards.

0:47:230:47:27

Shall we just leave him to it?

0:47:270:47:29

Back in her farmhouse in the West Sussex countryside,

0:47:350:47:39

Sarah is putting the finishing touches to her new carpet bag.

0:47:390:47:42

I'm going to make sure this side is really well stuck before I carry on.

0:47:430:47:46

When she picked it up, this was a length of unloved floral carpet.

0:47:460:47:51

Now, Sarah's transformed it into an attractive, useful

0:48:040:48:08

and quirky carpet bag, just waiting to be packed for a weekend away.

0:48:080:48:13

The frame of the old leather satchel has been incorporated to give

0:48:140:48:18

the bag structure, and the contrasting floral fabric

0:48:180:48:21

at the sides gives it a sophisticated look.

0:48:210:48:25

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

0:48:260:48:29

Well, it turns out that you really can make a carpet bag

0:48:320:48:35

out of an old rug.

0:48:350:48:36

-I'm really pleased with it.

-Jolly good.

0:48:380:48:40

When Sarah first spied them, Christine and Matthew were chucking

0:48:420:48:46

out scraps of unwanted carpet that had been stashed in the loft.

0:48:460:48:50

-I love that!

-Been in attic for quite a while.

0:48:500:48:54

They weren't that sure Sarah was on to a winner here.

0:48:540:48:58

-People love this kind of thing. Can you see it?

-No.

0:48:580:49:02

But they gave her their strip of carpet, and their blessing.

0:49:020:49:06

Sarah's taking photos in order to sell the new luggage.

0:49:090:49:12

And, sure enough, one stylish buyer snapped up the bag.

0:49:160:49:20

Now, 21st century girl Sarah's straight back on the laptop.

0:49:220:49:27

Matthew and Christine spend their winters in Spain.

0:49:270:49:31

So, Sarah will speak to them via webcam.

0:49:310:49:34

BOTH: Hello!

0:49:340:49:36

-Hi, guys! How are you?

-Good thank you, yes.

0:49:360:49:40

It was great that you came along with your carpet just when you did,

0:49:400:49:42

because I'd been looking for something like that for ages

0:49:420:49:45

-to work on.

-Oh, really?

0:49:450:49:47

I've sent you some pictures of what we did with it.

0:49:470:49:52

Oh! Oh, my God!

0:49:520:49:54

-That's unbelievable.

-No, is that the same carpet? Wow.

0:49:540:50:00

It just looks like high-end, sort of unbelievable transformation.

0:50:000:50:04

I sold it as well, after I'd made it,

0:50:040:50:07

and I've got, I don't know if you can see it properly here...

0:50:070:50:10

I've got a little something to share with you for your carpet.

0:50:100:50:14

£90 here for you that I'm going to send over to Spain, for you.

0:50:140:50:19

That is just amazing.

0:50:190:50:20

We didn't expect anything like that, and we just thought, well...

0:50:200:50:24

What we could do with the money,

0:50:240:50:26

maybe, my mother's coming over, we'll take her for a paella.

0:50:260:50:29

Well, that's fantastic news.

0:50:290:50:30

Well, it was really lovely to catch up with you,

0:50:300:50:32

and I'm so pleased you're having such a lovely time over there,

0:50:320:50:36

-and I will wire this across to you as soon as.

-Aww.

0:50:360:50:38

Take care, thanks ever so much. Bye-bye.

0:50:380:50:41

Spendthrift Sarah spent a grand total of £5 on craft glue for

0:50:450:50:50

that transformation, as she already had the leather bag and fabric.

0:50:500:50:55

Sarah sold the carpet bag for £95,

0:50:550:51:00

giving her a £90 profit to pass on to Christine and Matthew.

0:51:000:51:04

Ole!

0:51:070:51:09

In Marlow, Neil has transformed those old red leather cushions

0:51:110:51:15

into bags, and he's doing the last few stitches ahead of Sarah's visit.

0:51:150:51:21

I've enjoyed it.

0:51:210:51:23

It's been nice to get a really high-quality finish product

0:51:230:51:27

from fairly challenging leather.

0:51:270:51:29

The transformation has been pretty huge,

0:51:290:51:32

so I think she'll be pleased.

0:51:320:51:33

I hope so.

0:51:330:51:35

Well, Neil's confident, but will Sarah agree?

0:51:350:51:38

I'm back in Marlow to pick up hopefully some high-end luggage,

0:51:390:51:43

but I have been a little bit anxious

0:51:430:51:45

because the materials I left Neil with were anything but high-end.

0:51:450:51:49

Sarah left Neil with some unsightly and worn red cushions,

0:51:500:51:55

hoping he could make some luggage.

0:51:550:51:57

They are now two beautiful handcrafted bags.

0:51:590:52:03

Neil has carefully dyed the leather to give the bags a high-end sheen.

0:52:040:52:09

The messenger bag has been dyed black and has pockets galore,

0:52:090:52:13

incorporating charming details from the Scout tents he's used as lining.

0:52:130:52:19

And that holdall, now a dark brown, is almost indestructible

0:52:190:52:24

with sturdy straps and reinforced corners.

0:52:240:52:27

Sarah's got to be impressed with these, Neil.

0:52:290:52:32

-Heya.

-Hey.

-How are you doing?

-I'm very well. How are you?

0:52:350:52:38

-Yeah, really well.

-Good. Come on in.

0:52:380:52:40

Where are they?

0:52:400:52:42

Here they are.

0:52:420:52:44

So, we have what they started off as and what they finished up as.

0:52:440:52:49

Neil, they are amazing.

0:52:490:52:51

-Good. I'm glad you like them.

-I'm blown away. Honestly.

-Good.

0:52:510:52:54

I'm really... Don't look. I'm...

0:52:540:52:56

I'm getting emotional about them. I can't believe...

0:52:590:53:02

Sorry. Just give me a...

0:53:020:53:04

Look at the detail. I've even got little...

0:53:040:53:06

-Yeah, so you can lock...

-I'm going to cry. Stop the...

0:53:060:53:09

Honestly. I don't often get moved to tears by...

0:53:090:53:13

by bits of leather from the tip.

0:53:130:53:15

It was fun.

0:53:170:53:19

The transformation, the dyeing, the changing of the colour.

0:53:190:53:22

The leather is good enough quality, so it's made a decent bag.

0:53:220:53:26

It's actually a work of art. I'm crying. Don't look at me.

0:53:260:53:30

Oh, dear.

0:53:300:53:31

And then messenger bag as well.

0:53:310:53:34

Yes. So, again, slightly different colour. We've gone for black.

0:53:340:53:38

As much leather as I could use.

0:53:380:53:40

And we've got the old toggles from the tent.

0:53:400:53:43

That was a window, which is now magnetic.

0:53:430:53:47

It was a big journey from the old burgundy sofa.

0:53:470:53:51

-It's fantastic.

-Yeah. Great.

0:53:530:53:55

Sarah is delighted with Neil's craftsmanship,

0:53:550:53:59

but has he blown the budget?

0:53:590:54:00

I don't even want to talk about money,

0:54:040:54:06

but I know I think I left you with £95 per item.

0:54:060:54:09

Even though there was some extra designing

0:54:090:54:11

and some extra dyeing to do, it was straightforward,

0:54:110:54:14

so they've come within budget.

0:54:140:54:16

I shall have no problem selling those.

0:54:160:54:19

Brilliant.

0:54:190:54:20

Thank you so much. They are just brilliant.

0:54:200:54:25

It was a pleasure.

0:54:250:54:26

I could not have been more surprised and delighted

0:54:310:54:35

with what Neil has managed to produce -

0:54:350:54:37

two stunning bags on budget.

0:54:370:54:39

Absolutely amazed.

0:54:410:54:43

I didn't expect her to be quite so emotional

0:54:430:54:45

about a pair of leather bags,

0:54:450:54:47

but she seemed to be really pleased with them.

0:54:470:54:50

At the recycling centre, Zia's leather armchair

0:54:500:54:54

was being put out to pasture,

0:54:540:54:56

and his ideas for it were lacking imagination.

0:54:560:54:59

Any ideas what we might make out of them?

0:54:590:55:01

Uh, I think cushions would be a nice easy option.

0:55:010:55:05

But Sarah had bigger ideas for Neil to implement.

0:55:050:55:09

He gave the old leather a new life as luggage.

0:55:090:55:13

They were soon bagged by Nick and Kim,

0:55:130:55:15

who run vintage and retro retailer Smithers of Stamford.

0:55:150:55:20

-What do you reckon?

-Yeah, I like them. I love the stitching.

0:55:200:55:23

Yeah, apparently it was made from an old sofa, a leather sofa.

0:55:230:55:26

-Done a good job, hasn't he?

-Yeah.

-Quality.

0:55:260:55:29

Now Sarah is back in the Midlands with some cash for Zia.

0:55:310:55:35

-Hiya.

-Hi.

-Zia, lovely to see you again.

0:55:370:55:39

-Nice to see you again.

-How are you?

-I'm very well, thank you.

0:55:390:55:42

Now, I last saw you at the tip and you were dropping off

0:55:420:55:44

your old sofa cushions.

0:55:440:55:46

-Had you had the sofa for ages?

-Around six or seven years.

0:55:460:55:49

Obviously, we were about to dispose of it.

0:55:490:55:51

Quite interesting to see what you've done with it.

0:55:510:55:53

They went off to a lovely guy called Neil in Marlow.

0:55:530:55:56

He specialises in making bags from refound materials.

0:55:560:56:00

I've got some pictures here of what he made.

0:56:000:56:02

-I want to see what do you think.

-OK.

0:56:020:56:04

Wow.

0:56:040:56:06

That's amazing. It looks nothing like the cushions we gave you.

0:56:060:56:09

There's more.

0:56:090:56:11

He made a messenger bag and a going away back.

0:56:110:56:14

That's absolutely amazing.

0:56:140:56:15

I was really surprised about how they looked.

0:56:150:56:18

I'd never have imagined they'd turn out like that.

0:56:180:56:20

And we have actually sold those two bags,

0:56:200:56:23

and I've got some profit that I'd like to share with you.

0:56:230:56:25

Thank you very much.

0:56:250:56:27

So, I've got £60 here to give to you that came from those bags.

0:56:270:56:30

-Thank you very much.

-So, that's... Absolute pleasure.

0:56:300:56:33

Is there anything that £60 is needed for at the moment?

0:56:330:56:36

I think I'll treat the kids, really.

0:56:360:56:38

-They just got back from school, so we'll give them a treat.

-Lovely.

0:56:380:56:41

-Thank you so much for your time today.

-No, you're welcome.

0:56:410:56:44

-Thank you.

-Take care. Bye-bye.

-Bye.

0:56:440:56:45

Well, I think Zia was quite surprised

0:56:480:56:50

with what we did with his old cushions.

0:56:500:56:52

And as a transformation, I think it would be difficult

0:56:520:56:54

to beat sofa into luxury luggage.

0:56:540:56:57

Neil charged a total of £190 for labour and materials for the bags.

0:56:570:57:03

Sarah sold them for £250, leaving a profit of £60 for Zia

0:57:030:57:08

and his kids.

0:57:080:57:10

Sarah has prevented four forlorn items from ending up in a skip.

0:57:210:57:25

Jason's chunk of oak was turned into a classy industrial coffee table.

0:57:290:57:34

Rob's Victorian architrave was reimagined as

0:57:390:57:43

a stunnning designer mirror.

0:57:430:57:44

Christine and Matthew's cast-off old carpet

0:57:470:57:50

has a bright new future as a treasured weekend holdall.

0:57:500:57:53

And Zia's old leather cushions were dyed and stitched into stylish bags.

0:57:570:58:03

It's sometimes challenging changing the stuff I find at

0:58:060:58:09

the tip into high-end treasure, but it's always worth it.

0:58:090:58:12

The results are fantastic and we get to make a little bit of money.

0:58:120:58:16

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