Repair shop with HRH Charles

notspaghetti yes, exactly , it’s the time it takes that makes handcrafted items so expensive and people aren’t willing to pay the cost. I used to make couture garments which are so expensive because much of the finishing is done by hand, garments would be fully lined, french or bound seams, fine fabrics would be used etc. People would often ask me to run something up or alter a garment, and I would always say no, as I knew they would not wish to pay the true cost of my time.

vegansrock - I think you will find there's a renaissance of hand-crafted work and people who can afford to will buy it.

True craftsmanship is not on the decline but the prices which must be charged make things too expensive for most people.
As Jane says, you are paying for time as well as materials - often more time than materials

If it takes 100 plus hours to make something it's not going to be sold for £20 even if the materials are free!

I have a magnificent Moorcroft jardiniere with a chip - to repair, £650. I've turned it around so the chip is on the other side!

It isn't to do with material costs, it's to do with labour as it takes such a long time to do

It would be wonderful if there was a demand for repairing old and valued items, but the time and materials involved in restoring them means the cost is probably out of reach for most people. Just think of all the teddy bears, dolls, clocks, ornaments, pictures, furniture and every other item which could be beautified. There would be such a demand!

vegansrock

The reason why skilled crafts are on the decline is the lack of demand - how many people would pay a blacksmith to handmade some tongs or a skilled seamstress to make a bespoke outfit?

I'm eying up some slightly chipped items DH inherited from his DM and thinking, no, not worth it! None are valuable but of sentimental value to him.

The reason why skilled crafts are on the decline is the lack of demand - how many people would pay a blacksmith to handmade some tongs or a skilled seamstress to make a bespoke outfit?

Juliet27

I know what your husband means NotSpaghetti. I have a feeling that my bear was second hand when I was first given him and despite the fact that when I was small I trimmed his fur and cut out his growl I still love him just as he is and wouldn’t want him ‘mended’.

My husband also gave his bear a "haircut" but he does have "stuffing issues" I'm afraid. He would like him mended actually but as he said, only a small "body lift" not a "resurrection".

To me it feels a bit voyeuristic to be enjoying watching people's emotional responses ...

Are we enjoying it or watching with empathy?

I'm not enjoying their sorrow but I do like seeing their joy when an item with sentimental value is restored.

I wouldn't bother getting something restored unless it had great sentimental value or if it was worth a million or so (not at all likely!).

I watched it last night and enjoyed it. It was just about a load of humans enjoying what they were doing and communicating with each other. Charles came across as as human as the rest of them.

I rarely watch TV but I 've seen a couple of Repair Shop episodes before. I actually thought the lady with the soldier part came across as a bit cringey. To me it feels a bit voyeuristic to be enjoying watching people's emotional responses...

I thought it was a bit of a shame that no-one tried to find out how old that soldier actually was. It looked to me, from his uniform, as though it could have been early 19thC...

Mind you, I'm not keen on anyone I don't know that well who is being touchy-feely!

volver

Charles looked as if he was enjoying himself.

If anyone is offended by someone else wearing a hat and giving them a friendly pat on the shoulder, then they really need to have a word with themselves. ?

Exactly. There’s always someone….(used to be my mother?)

Charles looked as if he was enjoying himself.

If anyone is offended by someone else wearing a hat and giving them a friendly pat on the shoulder, then they really need to have a word with themselves. ?

Lucca

shysal

I enjoyed it but couldn't help cringing at how touchy-feely Jay was, also forgetting his correct title. HRH didn't seem to mind though. The restorations were superb as always.

Oh dear, that and the thing about Jay keeping his hat on……
Surely that made it human without all the formality?

Well, he was awarded an MBE this year so he can't have offended too much ?

why does everyone's customers think it is easy and it can be done cheaply and quickly?

I know Teddy will be a challenge!

JaneJudge

Grammaretto

I thought Jay was just right. He's very natural and helped HRH relax.
Steve, on the other hand, seemed a bit nervous.
I love watching the items being restored.
I have had a few things mended and reupholstered. It isn't cost effective but gives much satisfaction.

Steve is a skilled craftsperson, Jay Blades is a presenter - so you would expect that to be the case?

I haven't watched the program yet

Callistemon, the ladies who repair the teddy bears on the program have had to close their waiting list as it has got too long!

Oh dear, thanks JaneJudge. I might have to have a go at mending him myself, last time I attempted it I was about 10 and he has bright green felt paws ?

Jay Blades and his own team do restore/upcycle and sell furniture.

The rest of the Repair Shop team have their own businesses, they just come together there at the museum for filming.

Craftspeople, especially heritage crafts - do have qualifications and I'm not sure these skills are valued, otherwise why has there been such a decline in people taking them up? and why does everyone's customers think it is easy and it can be done cheaply and quickly?

I like watching the repair shop but I think people forget it is just a program. Salvage hunters is a bit realistic as it tells you costings and resale value. Many people I'm sure would like a family item restored but when they realise how much it is going to cost they decide whether to keep the item as it is or get rid of it, many get rid of things.

I think restoration should be valued btw, I'm just not sure it is.

shysal

I enjoyed it but couldn't help cringing at how touchy-feely Jay was, also forgetting his correct title. HRH didn't seem to mind though. The restorations were superb as always.

Oh dear, that and the thing about Jay keeping his hat on……
Surely that made it human without all the formality?

I know what your husband means NotSpaghetti. I have a feeling that my bear was second hand when I was first given him and despite the fact that when I was small I trimmed his fur and cut out his growl I still love him just as he is and wouldn’t want him ‘mended’.

My husband would like his Teddy restored but says he is afraid it will take all the character away. The teddies they restore are obviously much much better in terms of not degrading and being able to pass on but he feels they are too well-stuffed and it changes their faces almost beyond recognition.
He is afraid of even trying to have it done.
I do see what he means.

Avalon - a degree in media studies may be exciting and challenging for many. It may change the way a person sees the world and be a period of huge individual growth.

Please don't be sneery of other's choices.
Many people take degrees you may not approve of but which gave them deep satisfaction and a sense of achievement. They may have pride in themselves and their work at least equal to those who train in a craft or trade.

They may be out of work for a time (like many of us) but will presumably find their place in time.

Having a craft/skill is great - but we can broaden our minds and enrich our lives through academic study too and Media Studies is one way to do this.

Grammaretto

I thought Jay was just right. He's very natural and helped HRH relax.
Steve, on the other hand, seemed a bit nervous.
I love watching the items being restored.
I have had a few things mended and reupholstered. It isn't cost effective but gives much satisfaction.

Steve is a skilled craftsperson, Jay Blades is a presenter - so you would expect that to be the case?

I haven't watched the program yet

Callistemon, the ladies who repair the teddy bears on the program have had to close their waiting list as it has got too long!

Mr R and I thoroughly enjoyed the programme and loved the way that Jay treated Charles. I think Charles loved being treated like that too!

It was wonderful. The Princes Trust do such excellent work and shows Charles as a very perceptive and kind person. Jay was too touchy, but apart from that it was a great insight into the aims of the trust and Repair Shop. Wonderful that youngsters are being trained and valued in these skilled professions. Simply amazing what they achieve,

A really lovely programme and good to see such a natural relationship between the then HRH Price Charles and Jay Blades. Both men seemed to be enjoying themselves and I’m sure HRH appreciated being treated as much as an ordinary person as is possible.