Maker's bio

Hello, I'm Nicky Cash and through Done up North I share my love of Upcycling and ways to bring more creativity your life. I'm an award-winning Furniture Upcycler and Designer - and Northerner! - who has featured in interiors magazines like Reclaim and Real Homes, demonstrated at events such as Grand Designs Live, Living North Live, Leeds International Festival of Ideas and exhibited at leading design shows like Clerkenwell Design Week and Decorex.  I am one of the designers who have featured on BBC1's Money for Nothing which showcases amazing upcycling projects creating from items rescued from refuse centres.   I have been upcycling professionally for over 9 years having left behind the 9-5 life in the City in search of a more creative life back home 'Up North'!  I've been teaching other aspiring furniture upcyclers online and in person for over 5 of those years and I absolutely love getting to be part of your creative adventures and sharing in your enjoyment of what you can achieve - especially those of you who say you are not creative.  (Spoiler alert - you are too!) My main goal is to inspire everyone to have a go at repairing, restyling and repurposing and enjoy the many benefits it brings to your home, your life and your well-being - as well as of course being a much more planet and purse friendly option that can help you live a less consumerist, less stressful, more meaningful life.  I'm happy to personalise private workshops, talks and demos if you are looking for something specific for a group or your organisation, please get in touch for a chat.  Email me nicky@doneupnorth.com You can read more about my own Upcycling journey at https://www.doneupnorth.com/pages/nickys-story Here is what people on past workshops have said: "Just completed the upcycling workshop with Nicky at Done up North. It was a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Lots of useful tips and help along the way. Nicky makes the day very enjoyable and meeting other like minded 'upcyclers' from those of us who are novices to those already giving it a go. I would highly recommend her workshops. I especially enjoyed giving the geometric designs a go (with Nicky's help) and I am pleased with my finished result." "Nicky was brilliant!!!! A mine of information on all aspects, learning different techniques, with masking tape blows your mind with the outcome. It was a real fun experience and the time just whizzed by. It was great to see other people’s vision for their pieces and the results. Book on to a workshop you will not be disappointed. A great big thumbs up 👍 from me 😁" "Before I started working with Nicky, I was struggling to know where to start with masking tape design and what order you did the different steps. But I’m so glad I joined her workshop as I learnt all the skills I needed. Nicky really helped me get clear on the process, the tools required, how to avoid mistakes and importantly, when mistakes do happen, how to correct them!" "I was not feeling confident about my skills and I was worried about making basic mistakes. Now, I feel so much more prepared to take on work and challenges in my journey with upcycling! Nicky provided awesome resources and guidance that I can keep with me forever." "Nicky's tutorials are so informative. Her work is inspirational. Highly recommended." "I really loved doing the furniture painting course with Nicky. She’s so patient and kind, very knowledgeable and incredibly generous with her time. I was so pleased with the end result. The course is great value for money in amazing surroundings and I feel empowered to get on with some projects solo now. Highly recommended."