It all started when I was 10 years old, my parents were low income and were not always able to get me the latest toys. Me and my brother found our own enjoyment as a result, with our bmx's we would ride down to the factory areas of Auckland and search through the large rubbish bins. My favourite was a model shop, I never could afford the model airplanes or cars in the shop so would go every weekend and climb into their bin out the back. Once home I would empty my bag full of balsa wood offcuts, half full model paint pots and various parts then proceed to make different model planes and boats for days on end

This resourcefulness carried on into my adult years, leading to a passion for turning rubbish or discarded items into art or fixing them up and onselling.

I was the person every Sunday going through your inorganic rubbish on the kerbside looking for "gold"

One of the items I would find was vinyl records, I already had a collection in my house I would listen to on my 1960's Record Player (found kerbside one Sunday) and came up with the idea to turn them into artwork, to allow them another life, a good way to prevent them going into landfill

I have now mastered the art of cutting them using a mixture of routers, craft knives and jewelry files. And no I do not use a laser cutter, this method would emit Chloride fumes and be very dangerous for both me and the environment

My repurposing will involve more items as the business progresses, Skateboards, Beer Bottles, Surfboards, sign up to my newsletter or like my Facebook page (illmaticnz) to be the first to see new items

Thanks for supporting my small business, all made in my workshop at Papamoa Beach in the beautiful Bay Of Plenty

One Love!

Darren @ illmatic