About 2nd WIND

My name is Jo and in 1995 I started my Outdoor Education career.  I gained many outdoor qualifications in lots of different activities, both on land and on the water.  My true enjoyment came from teaching and helping others gain an appreciation of both themselves and the environment we live in. I thought this was the path I was set to follow for all my life….

In 2018 my partner and I adopted a daughter.  Suddenly my focus had shifted.  Family life became most important to me.  I went from being a full-time worker to a part time one, to ensure I was a present mum in all aspects of my child’s life.    This new work life balance meant I now had so much more time so in 2022 I started playing around with my mums sewing machine, making things like bunting, drawstring pouches and other simple little projects.    Just like that I had found a new hobby that I loved.  That Christmas my partner bought me my first sewing machine.  My projects got a little larger and more complicated whilst I learnt my craft.  At this stage I was making things from materials that I had bought or upcycled from clothes that I had. 

In 2023 the centre I had worked at was doing a big clear out of old, broken and retired sailing equipment and I was given a retired Laser Funboat sail that was destined for landfill.  This was to prove to be my light bulb moment.  I was going to try and make a tote bag from this resource.

I derived such satisfaction from making a practical, useful item from something that had lost its value to the centre.  The bag was a success and from here I was to go on to make many more practical items from that one sail.  The concept had been born.  I conducted lots of research into how sails could be upcycled in this way, I felt I had something to contribute to this niche market.  As my confidence grew so did skill level.  Eventually I had made so many things that my partner suggested that I should venture out of my studio and try to some sell some of my creations at craft markets, which I did.  In 2024 I decided to take the leap and give up my job and commit to this new endeavour full time.

I now have a good stock of retired sails and I’m always on the hunt for more.  Sometimes I buy my sails from FB marketplace or eBAY but what tends to happen more now is that people donate me sails when I make those connections at events and fairs.  To show my gratitude, I always make them a bespoke product, this form of bartering system seems to work well for both parties. 

Sail material is an amazing resource to work with.  Its properties are strength, durability, water resistance to name a few. Modern sails are often made from manmade materials that are not bio-degradable when added to landfill.  My company and other companies like mine try to offer a more sustainable solution to this problem.  

2nd WIND creatively reuses retired, unwanted, redundant sails by giving them new value and ultimately a second lease of life.