GROOVY Su Page is a marvel when it comes to a bit of J-cloth, sequins, string and wood.

In fact she can produce fabulous pieces of art from any scrap which comes her way and nothing gives her more pleasure than coming across a box of old bubble wrap which no-one else wants.

Thirty-year-old Groovy Su, as she is known, of Botley, Oxford, is a project development worker at Orinoco, a company which specialises in all kinds of scrap material, from tin foil to greetings cards, from jigsaw puzzles to paint.

She is based in a large warehouse on the Botley industrial estate in North Hinksey Lane where she roots through boxes upon boxes of scrap which businesses give her because they know she has more use for it than they do.

Orinoco works by selling the materials to community groups, nurseries and after-school clubs for children to use creatively.

It also receives reclaimed household paint from DIY store Do It All for use by community groups who don't necessarily have to be members of Orinoco.

Now it is opening to the public in celebration of Oxford International Women's Festival, today to show women how to be creative and recycle items at the same time.

"The intention is for women who want to work with scrap to meet one another and see what is possible.

"They are welcome to bring their children and should bring their own scrap which they don't want to get rid of but want to do something different with - old pictures and lampshades, for example.

"I have always loved art and working with children and first of all I thought I would be a teacher because I didn't think I could be an artist. "I knew I could be a teacher but I didn't like the large class sizes so I decided to give it up after I trained.

"I then finally allowed myself to go to art school in Banbury.

"It was so good and art is a real celebration of life, so I was not happy using things like oil paints which destroy the planet.

"I decided to do environmental art and started recycling.

"I wanted to get away from money and I feel I'm fortunate because my skill is in my hands. This is my dream job because I can do recycled art and encourage children at the same time," said Groovy Su.

She is so determined to recycle everything, that she buys either second-hand clothes or makes her own clothes from scrap.

She even makes jewellery, including necklaces made from old keys. Many community groups go to Orinoco to buy materials from Su and colleague Lorraine Richings, project co-ordinator, who work hard to make sure the items are tidied into boxes and on shelves.

The warehouse would be a haven for artists who love making collages or want inspiration for hanging mobiles, but unfortunately, Orinoco is not open to schools or artists (unless they are working to help children) simply because they need to expand first.

Lorraine said: "I think it is really important that Orinoco is taking part in the festival because it gives people the opportunity to see what you can do with recycled materials."

"We help after-school clubs, holiday activity clubs, community activity projects and youth projects - the whole range of children except schools, although we hope to expand on that.

"Primarily, Orinoco is a place for adults to come and take scrap material away for children in their groups.

"It is such a worthwhile thing that gives children access to materials they wouldn't normally get." Monica Crowe, a youth worker for Young People in Action, was looking around the scrap store for the first time. "I have just been buying bits and bobs to make collages.I'm really overwhelmed and haven't been here before. So far I have bought foam and material. It is such a brilliant place with so many different things to look at," she said.

Su and Lorraine work with volunteers to keep Orinoco organised and collect scrap materials from businesses who no longer use them.Orinoco is in desperate need of more volunteers - and a van so she can collect scrap from local businesses. "We do need a van because I use my bike at the moment or have to rely on people to collect me and it makes the job really difficult," said Su.

Orinoco's Scrap Dragon event takes place today, March 9. from 5-7pm and costs £2 to cover any scrap costs. It will take place at Bloomin' Arts in Princes Street, Oxford, and not at the Botley scrap store where Orinoco is based.

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