I’m addicted. I admit it. Ever since I learned about the concept of upcycling just a few months ago, I can’t get enough of it. Whether I’m surfing the Internet for new ideas, admiring Hipcycle’s upcoming products, or contemplating what a burnt-out light bulb could be in its next life, there’s just no denying the awesomeness of upcycling!
There are certainly much worse addictions. This particular one does not harm the environment in any way, but there is one problem that I know I’ll have to constantly fight off. I’ve always wanted to keep things “just in case,” but now it’s going to be even more difficult to resist holding on to stuff. My gracious husband has already allowed me to have an entire room just for my found items, but when it’s full, that’s it. No overflow allowed.
The good thing is that with all of this stuff, I’m finding all sorts of fun things to do with what would otherwise be trash. I’ve even managed to make a couple of items similar to what will be sold here on Hipcycle, and plan to make more. With the goal of helping others keep items out of the waste stream, I’ll be posting blogs with instructions on how to make some pretty nifty things.
Since I’m rather scared of big power tools, and a novice with the sewing machine, you can rest assured that you won’t need to invest in expensive equipment or be skilled with a miter saw to make any of these items. A few things will take a good deal of time to make initially, but can literally be made while sitting in front of the television. As I find new uses for everyday items, I’ll pass the ideas on, with the hope that you will do the same.
After all, sharing is caring, and caring is fun!
What are your thoughts on upcycling? Do you have any favorite projects? Post a comment!
3 Responses
get out of my head! I could have written this. I think it is in my blood, we were doing this before it was cool. Now the trick for me is to make things look less "first grade crafty" and more like art. I challenge myself to make sure the item will be used, not just admired for a while and then tossed into the trash anyway! I want to try my hand at the power tools, so I am getting those second hand, too!
August 12, 2011 at 6:09 am
Vicki,
You rock! The challenge you made to yourself is what Hipcycle is all about...if nobody finds an upcycled item to be attractive and useful, then it ultimately is not really serving as useful a purpose as it could!
Good luck with the power tools:)
August 12, 2011 at 6:36 am
Vicki,I totally agree with what you're saying!
It seems that only in the past 10 years or so has upcycling moved away from the "kiddie crafts" and into making items that you won't pitch next week because they really have no use. I'm still convinced that one of these days I'll find a project in an old "recycling is fun!" project book that doesn't make me laugh looking at it!
August 19, 2011 at 12:42 pm