The Repurpose & Upcycle thread....

[Hollylane]

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.

[Hollylane]

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]

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.

[Penelope]

I don't repurpose wood items (yet) but I did find an old wood framed screen that I have as "wall art". I didn't end up needing it for a jewelry holder (my first idea) so I thought I would stencil on some designs with paint. It worked ok but not great as most of the colors are hard to see on the screen. I'll try and get the picture off my phone to put in the Gallery.

We found/bought some wooden crates as I would like to make a coffee table. I've seen it done online a ton of times but we haven't set aside the time to do it as I will need help with the project. I'm not exactly a woodworker by nature.

Originally Posted by watersoilair

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.

[laruss]

I don't mean this as an infomercial but I absolutely love this product.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint www.anniesloan.com

It is readily available in the States, a bit harder to find here in Canada but it is absolutely amazing for reimagining older pieces. No sanding, no priming, sticks to everything, including plastic, varnished wood, glass, fabric, leather, you name it.

It comes in 31 colours here in North America, but it is a pure pigment paint and can be mixed together beautifully. After painting you apply the wax which dries to a hard finish and you can add dark wax to help give it an antiqued look.

I spent years refinishing furniture and finally decided it was too much work. I am now back at it. I bought a bunch of wood frames at a garage sale for a dollar each, threw some paint on them and now sell them for $40 each. I have reimagined a hideous dresser, a chair, and have two tables waiting for paint. You can finish a whole project in less then a day - start to finish.

Anyway, I am in love with this paint. I have to say as an artist when I was told about it, I thought oh yeah it's paint. Then I tried it. It is addictive.

I am lucky enough to work in the only store in our city that sells it so I play with it all day at work too. If you type in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on Pinterest or YouTube you will find thousands of ideas and tons of tutorials, but it is super easy.

Anyway, like I said, I didn't mean this to be an infomercial but I found this the best paint for reimagining items.

[Sweet Bliss]

I do, am slow but get it done eventually. Lot of work. Repairs, cussing, lol, always worth the effort.

[Sweet Bliss]

There are several recipes for chalk paint online. Get creative, make your own colors.

[laruss]

Originally Posted by Sweet Bliss

There are several recipes for chalk paint online. Get creative, make your own colors.

There are lots of ways to make chalky paint, but you would still have to sand and/or prime the piece as you are using acrylic paint with polymers. The difference with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is the lack of polymers so it sticks, plus it is a pure pigment paint so it covers really well.

And with AS Chalk Paint because it is a pure pigment paint, you can make any colour by mixing them.

Just my 2 cents.

But I am all about the creativity and I love reimaging things to make them new again. That can be done in all different ways.

[Chaperone]

You all have started my creative juices to flow A wonderful thread!

[Deirdre]

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]

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

[Hollylane]

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!

[Deirdre]

Originally Posted by Sweet Bliss

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

Thanks, SB!

It's certainly been an experience - and I've had to learn how to use power tools & understand things like 'strutcural integrity' heh, but I was tired of waiting for someone to come into my life who would do it for me

It's been pretty great overall. It gives me a sense of independence, as well as satisfaction from having done these myself.

[Deirdre]

Originally Posted by Hollylane

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!

If I see anything around town that can repurposed into a unique planter, I'll let you know!

Also, thanks!

[cinnamongrrl]

http://www.thekurtzcorner.com/2011/0...net-board.html

This entire site is wonderful. This idea could beget so many other things. I thought it would also be cool for office supplies...maybe a version for hardware and tools...it's a great idea for keeping a small space tidy...infinite possibilities!!

[cinnamongrrl]

Originally Posted by Deirdre

Thanks, SB!

It's certainly been an experience - and I've had to learn how to use power tools & understand things like 'strutcural integrity' heh, but I was tired of waiting for someone to come into my life who would do it for me

It's been pretty great overall. It gives me a sense of independence, as well as satisfaction from having done these myself.

I'm really wanting to make the pallet wine rack. It looks so good! I think it could be used as a mini bar in a small space...

http://www.thekurtzcorner.com/2013/0...ine-rack.html#

[Licious]

I love the topic of repurposing and upcycling, subscribing.

Enjoying looking at everyone's projects.

[Sweet Bliss]

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]

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

[cinnamongrrl]

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

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