The Repurpose & Upcycle thread....

Soft*Silver · 06-25-2013, 11:32 PM

I had an old gutter attached to my garage wall. I have a healthy lettuce garden growing in there. To irrigate it, I used an old hose that had sprung a few leaks, adding more holes. I laid it in the gutter and covered it with soil.

I took plastic bins that had lost their lids, punched holes in the bottom and filled them with soil. They are now growing tomatoes and potatoes and peppers.

I have wash tubs filled with geraniums...

I am looking for a maytag wringer washer so i can fill it w petunias.

I have a broken propane grill, that I am in the process of painting pink and green, which will house my garden tools, and act as my potting bench.

old work shoes and kids rain boots have become planters for hens and chicks and johny jump ups

a coffee can made of plastic ..the one with a natural indented handle is one of my fav garden tools. I carry tools in one, I use another to scoop soil, another one to water with (holes punched in the bottom)

I have made several bird waterers and feeders out of various dishes, teacups, teapots, bowls, etc..glued together and hung with mesh chains from shepards hooks

so...I am very into upcycling for the garden...

photos to come as the plants grow

Hollylane · 07-06-2013, 04:29 PM

$80 each, for two new x-large dog beds (one for my room, one for his daytime room), no way!

I vote for $20 ($10 each) for two baby mattresses found one on Craigslist.org, and at a yard sale spotted on the way home from picking up the first one. That's what I'm talking about! Now my big arthritic boy has two beds that are actually comfortably padded, and I can have someone make me some zippered, washable covers from old sheets from Goodwill. No matter where I looked, the x-large dog beds were not padded enough to support his 85 pounds, and were not easily washable. Chessie is happily snoozing away as I post this!

I found a good place to get nice healthy lucky bamboo, and I have been scouring the Goodwill for interesting glass containers and aquarium or gravel to make more lucky bamboo art. I made another simple one this week, and I'll post a photo of that today. They are so satisfying to make, and people at work are still requesting them.

Sweet Bliss · 07-29-2013, 11:57 AM

The girls volleyball team had a rummage sale, and I scored three terracotta coffee cups perfect for small plants. Am going to plant poppy seeds in them, they will be so happy! Will snap some photos and post them when I get access to a computer again.

Which I hope will be soon.

Siren's Song · 07-29-2013, 12:20 PM

I get excited hearing about all your creative ideas for re-purposing things! I enjoy the challenge of taking something with possibility and watching it transform. I agree Craigslist is a wonderful resource for this. One of my favorite finds was a Spanish hand blown amber glass and wrought iron chandelier. It's huge and ornate. I got it for $40 because it had been on someones porch and rusted. I used steel wool to remove the rust and repainted the wrought iron a flat black. It took me about 30 hours, but it looks like new. I have seen similar ones on EBAY for hundreds of dollars, and I smile knowing I can have anything I want if I am creative enough to figure it out.

Hollylane · 07-31-2013, 01:03 PM

Two new betta tanks that I put together recently. I sold one of them for $50 (total cost to make about $25 with new and reused items & bettas), and the other for $35. If you decide to make one of these yourself, you'll need a turkey baster for cleaning, the only reason you should need to disassemble the tank is if you get a lot of algae growth (keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid this)

I also recently scored at a sale at the Portland Priory, as they were finishing up, it was $1 per bag, and I got picture frames, pottery, clothing, accessories, a wireless headset for the TV, a shower curtain, brand new feather pillow, a new purse, aquarium items, and more for a total of $1 (though I gladly donated $5 to the priory as well).

Hollylane · 07-31-2013, 05:43 PM

This afternoon, I used repurposed paracord (.25 at rummage sale), and a repurposed necklace ($0 picked up at the Femme Clothing Swap, at last year's reunion) for my first attempt (kind of shoddy job, but I can't wait to keep practicing) at macrame. I posted a picture in the gallery.

cinnamongrrl · 09-27-2013, 08:36 PM

o.m.g. I WANT this!! I see doors like this allll the time!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/327636941612104219/

Hollylane · 08-05-2013, 10:03 PM

Yesterday, after my fishing trip flopped, I consoled myself by stopping at a few yard sales on the way home. I scored with an antique wood picture frame, and an antique weather station (not sure if that is what you call it, but it displays humidity, barometric pressure, and temperature), for $1.00. Both were pretty grungy but cleaned up nicely with a damp cloth, a little Windex and a teeny bit of household cleaner.

My other score of the week was picking up a picture of two red poppies for a dollar, and a tiny picture frame (.10) that matched the one the poppies were in, I took them to work last Friday, to my friend Danielle, and asked her to paint me a miniature picture of the poppies. She gave it to me today, and I am amazed at her talent. I think I may have her paint something for the antique frame I found the other day too. I'm thinking purple irises.

I posted some pictures in my upcycle gallery, if anyone is interested.

watersoilair · 08-19-2013, 01:55 PM

Does anyone repurpose wooden items, like the dresser in the first picture? I'm really interested in things like that. Like hanging old windows as wall dressings.

Deirdre · 09-02-2013, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollylane

Come share your reclaimed, repurposed, and/or upcycled treasures!

I love your planter!

I've been collecting wood pallets the last few weeks to build a raised garden bed and a compost bin.

Raised Bed:

Compost Bin:

Sweet Bliss · 09-02-2013, 03:51 AM

Wow Deirdre, serious project you are doing! Kudos to you!

Hollylane · 09-02-2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deirdre

I love your planter!

I've been collecting wood pallets the last few weeks to build a raised garden bed and a compost bin.

Raised Bed:

Compost Bin:

I wish it was my planter! Alas, not something I have accomplished (yet).

I hope you post pictures as you move through your projects, I know we'd all enjoy seeing what you create!

Sweet Bliss · 09-27-2013, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Bliss

The girls volleyball team had a rummage sale, and I scored three terracotta coffee cups perfect for small plants. Am going to plant poppy seeds in them, they will be so happy! Will snap some photos and post them when I get access to a computer again.

Which I hope will be soon.

The poppy seed dealio didn't work out, so now the terracotta cups are homes for African violets. They look so happy in the window. (Faces east )

cinnamongrrl · 09-27-2013, 07:00 PM

I found a site last night and was too tired to post...but this woman does magical things with those same pallets as makes the wine rack I badly want now.... here is the linkyloo

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blo...p/pallets.html

06-25-2013, 11:32 PM	#1
SoftSilver Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: rose cottage Posts: 5,594 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 8,948 Thanked 15,897 Times in 4,064 Posts Rep Power*: 21474857	I had an old gutter attached to my garage wall. I have a healthy lettuce garden growing in there. To irrigate it, I used an old hose that had sprung a few leaks, adding more holes. I laid it in the gutter and covered it with soil. I took plastic bins that had lost their lids, punched holes in the bottom and filled them with soil. They are now growing tomatoes and potatoes and peppers. I have wash tubs filled with geraniums... I am looking for a maytag wringer washer so i can fill it w petunias. I have a broken propane grill, that I am in the process of painting pink and green, which will house my garden tools, and act as my potting bench. old work shoes and kids rain boots have become planters for hens and chicks and johny jump ups a coffee can made of plastic ..the one with a natural indented handle is one of my fav garden tools. I carry tools in one, I use another to scoop soil, another one to water with (holes punched in the bottom) I have made several bird waterers and feeders out of various dishes, teacups, teapots, bowls, etc..glued together and hung with mesh chains from shepards hooks so...I am very into upcycling for the garden... photos to come as the plants grow __________________ Pole bachit, a lis chuye. The field sees, the forest hears

07-29-2013, 11:57 AM	#3
Sweet Bliss Senior Member How Do You Identify?: I Am Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: solo Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: the Beach, Pacific side Posts: 4,160 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,354 Thanked 7,268 Times in 2,159 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	morning all The girls volleyball team had a rummage sale, and I scored three terracotta coffee cups perfect for small plants. Am going to plant poppy seeds in them, they will be so happy! Will snap some photos and post them when I get access to a computer again. Which I hope will be soon.

07-29-2013, 12:20 PM	#4
Siren's Song Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Deep at sea. Posts: 385 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 84 Thanked 168 Times in 62 Posts Rep Power: 1360612	YES! I get excited hearing about all your creative ideas for re-purposing things! I enjoy the challenge of taking something with possibility and watching it transform. I agree Craigslist is a wonderful resource for this. One of my favorite finds was a Spanish hand blown amber glass and wrought iron chandelier. It's huge and ornate. I got it for $40 because it had been on someones porch and rusted. I used steel wool to remove the rust and repainted the wrought iron a flat black. It took me about 30 hours, but it looks like new. I have seen similar ones on EBAY for hundreds of dollars, and I smile knowing I can have anything I want if I am creative enough to figure it out. __________________ Life is the flower for which love is the honey.~Victor Hugo

09-27-2013, 08:36 PM	#7
cinnamongrrl Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: cleverly disguised as a responsible adult* Preferred Pronoun?: wild woman Relationship Status: No, thank you. Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Home in NC..gonna dig in like a tick this time… Posts: 7,665 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 15,246 Thanked 27,604 Times in 6,959 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	o.m.g. I WANT this!! I see doors like this allll the time! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/327636941612104219/ __________________

09-27-2013, 07:00 PM	#14
cinnamongrrl Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: cleverly disguised as a responsible adult* Preferred Pronoun?: wild woman Relationship Status: No, thank you. Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Home in NC..gonna dig in like a tick this time… Posts: 7,665 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 15,246 Thanked 27,604 Times in 6,959 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	I found a site last night and was too tired to post...but this woman does magical things with those same pallets as makes the wine rack I badly want now.... here is the linkyloo http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blo...p/pallets.html __________________

07-06-2013, 04:29 PM	#2
Hollylane Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: . Preferred Pronoun?: . Relationship Status: . Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: . Posts: 11,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,694 Thanked 26,362 Times in 5,875 Posts Rep Power: 21474862	$80 each, for two new x-large dog beds (one for my room, one for his daytime room), no way! I vote for $20 ($10 each) for two baby mattresses found one on Craigslist.org, and at a yard sale spotted on the way home from picking up the first one. That's what I'm talking about! Now my big arthritic boy has two beds that are actually comfortably padded, and I can have someone make me some zippered, washable covers from old sheets from Goodwill. No matter where I looked, the x-large dog beds were not padded enough to support his 85 pounds, and were not easily washable. Chessie is happily snoozing away as I post this! I found a good place to get nice healthy lucky bamboo, and I have been scouring the Goodwill for interesting glass containers and aquarium or gravel to make more lucky bamboo art. I made another simple one this week, and I'll post a photo of that today. They are so satisfying to make, and people at work are still requesting them.

07-31-2013, 01:03 PM	#5
Hollylane Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: . Preferred Pronoun?: . Relationship Status: . Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: . Posts: 11,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,694 Thanked 26,362 Times in 5,875 Posts Rep Power: 21474862	Two new betta tanks that I put together recently. I sold one of them for $50 (total cost to make about $25 with new and reused items & bettas), and the other for $35. If you decide to make one of these yourself, you'll need a turkey baster for cleaning, the only reason you should need to disassemble the tank is if you get a lot of algae growth (keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid this) I also recently scored at a sale at the Portland Priory, as they were finishing up, it was $1 per bag, and I got picture frames, pottery, clothing, accessories, a wireless headset for the TV, a shower curtain, brand new feather pillow, a new purse, aquarium items, and more for a total of $1 (though I gladly donated $5 to the priory as well).

07-31-2013, 05:43 PM	#6
Hollylane Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: . Preferred Pronoun?: . Relationship Status: . Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: . Posts: 11,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,694 Thanked 26,362 Times in 5,875 Posts Rep Power: 21474862	This afternoon, I used repurposed paracord (.25 at rummage sale), and a repurposed necklace ($0 picked up at the Femme Clothing Swap, at last year's reunion) for my first attempt (kind of shoddy job, but I can't wait to keep practicing) at macrame. I posted a picture in the gallery.

08-05-2013, 10:03 PM	#8
Hollylane Practically Lives Here How Do You Identify?: . Preferred Pronoun?: . Relationship Status: . Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: . Posts: 11,495 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 34,694 Thanked 26,362 Times in 5,875 Posts Rep Power: 21474862	Yesterday, after my fishing trip flopped, I consoled myself by stopping at a few yard sales on the way home. I scored with an antique wood picture frame, and an antique weather station (not sure if that is what you call it, but it displays humidity, barometric pressure, and temperature), for $1.00. Both were pretty grungy but cleaned up nicely with a damp cloth, a little Windex and a teeny bit of household cleaner. My other score of the week was picking up a picture of two red poppies for a dollar, and a tiny picture frame (.10) that matched the one the poppies were in, I took them to work last Friday, to my friend Danielle, and asked her to paint me a miniature picture of the poppies. She gave it to me today, and I am amazed at her talent. I think I may have her paint something for the antique frame I found the other day too. I'm thinking purple irises. I posted some pictures in my upcycle gallery, if anyone is interested.

08-19-2013, 01:55 PM	#9
watersoilair Junior Member How Do You Identify?: Masculine of Centre Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 9 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 8 Posts Rep Power: 0	Does anyone repurpose wooden items, like the dresser in the first picture? I'm really interested in things like that. Like hanging old windows as wall dressings.

09-02-2013, 03:51 AM	#11
Sweet Bliss Senior Member How Do You Identify?: I Am Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: solo Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: the Beach, Pacific side Posts: 4,160 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 5,354 Thanked 7,268 Times in 2,159 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	Wow Deirdre, serious project you are doing! Kudos to you!