Updated May 25
Finished my first custom skirt made out of men’s ties! Exciting! First Selena picked the 3 colours she liked best (purple, pink a beige/ yellow. I measured the minimum length and met her desire for longer ‘flirty’ pieces surrounding, then added light pink frilly fabric. To finish I added gold buttons.
Backstory…
While visiting Markham ON, I showed my friend Suzen a new creation I made out out just over 100 mens ties!
She suggested I make more, and we jokingly made this video.
Right after filming I left to catch up with another friend for coffee down the street. The young lady who made my coffee asked in awe if I bought or made the jacket. Yes, I made it. When asked if I made custom orders. My response?
“Ummm…. maybe?”
Backstory:
Side note: the first comment I got when posted online was a mean comment from an internet troll (adult bully). There were some choice words exchanged, and I sent them away with a “have a nice day’ mic drop.
For who ever needs to hear this: Never compromise your unique self by listening to (or allowing) someone to put you down. If it makes you happy, DO IT!… Stick up for yourself and leave with positivity. Internet trolls are just grown up bullies who were never put in their place when younger. There’s something wrong with them, not you!
While Selena and Second Cup owner Avi were getting corporate permission for being a drop off location for discarded ties, I was talking to my local media about this story, where more drop off locations were made!
Many thanks to the Walkerton Herald Times article, “Artist Gives Life To Old Ties” April 2, 2026 (Pauline Kerr) – Full article image to follow
AND Dundalk Herald and the Flesherton Advance articles, “Making Old Ties Into New Creations” April 8, 2026 (John Butler). – Full article image to follow
Lastly, to my old stomping grounds of Markham Economist Sun (link: YorkRegion.com) “‘100 Ties, One Jacket’: Chance café encounter in Markham sparks a community donation drive” April 27, 2026 (Scarlet Liu).
I am incredibly grateful for sharing the story and the 6 dropoff locations for the communities to donate any discarded ties! Can’t wait to repurpose them into something FUN and/or FUNctional.
THANK YOU TO WHO HELPED START THIS!
Joanne (Walkerton) – the stranger (now friend) who donated her entire tie stash to me! 100 of which made this jacket!!!
Suzen (Markham) – Video maker & friend
Selena & Avi (Second Cup Markham) – THE Barista Selena who fuelled the start of this initiative and generous Markham Second Cup Owner Avi who made a drop off location happen in Markham
And thank you to Pauline Kerr (Walkerton-Times Newspaper), John Butler (Dundalk Herald and the Grey Highlands Advance) and Scarlet Liu of the Markham Economist (yrmg.com) for sharing this story of community coming together xo
This is a much- needed reminder there are still wonderful people out there