TYRED IDEA HAS BAG S OF PROMISE

A LOCAL artist has attracted national attention after an original idea evolved into a must- have accessory for women across Queensland and beyond.

Townsville’s Claudia Williams has been an artist for 18 years focusing on public art for councils and architects throughout the state.

Her new- found passion for wearable art has seen a unique range of designer handbags emerge, made out of recycled tyre tubes.

Ms Williams said the bags were popular and she couldn’t keep up with demand.

“They are going out all over the place, which is good but I just need extra hands to help me,” she said.

Ms Williams came up with the bags to promote her work as a designer and creator.

“I was already designing wearable art fashion and I wanted something people could connect me to,” she said.

“I wanted people to know my label, and as an everyday label.”

She is working with recycled materials for the majority of her art and also runs workshops in other cities on the art of wearable waste.

Ms Williams would like to see her bags sold in major department stores such as Myer or David Jones.

“I really want to see Australian designers make an impact in our fashion industry and for people to know they are handmade and in Australia,” she said.