Libby Coles is a senior at SRU who just started running her own upcycling business through social media.
She uses thrifted materials and sews them into new items including makeup bags, totes and keychains.
Coles gets her materials from thrift stores like Goodwill, and says she primarily sells to students in Slippery Rock.
She describes her business as both a hobby and a side job that helps her pay for daily living expenses.
“I started sewing in July and I just went for it. Even my sewing machine is from Facebook Marketplace,” Coles said.
She began receiving order requests from family and friends who quickly prompted her to start a selling page on Instagram.
Coles is majoring in healthcare administration with a minor in communication. She says the business combines all of her passions: practicing sustainability, physical crafting and creating content.
“I’m like a serial hobby-ist. I love to collect hobbies,” Coles said. “I think it’s so important to do stuff that is tactical with your hands. It keeps me from doomscrolling.”
According to agencies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 85% of discarded clothing in the U.S. goes straight to landfills.
Businesses like Coles’ give those garments an opportunity to live a new life.
“A lot of things that are vintage already have so much character and then you can add more to it,” Coles said. “It’s almost more satisfying when you know that you’re making a difference environmentally.”
Individuals can find Coles’ business on Instagram @loopedbylib to place an order or follow along.
