Thursday, May 31, 2012

Upcycling - Inspiration & A New Class

One of the things I enjoy most about browsing through antique fairs, flea markets, and trade days is spotting craft ideas. Often these ideas involve upcycling - converting useless or no longer wanted items into something new and/or useful. Here are a few examples from our recent trip to a local antiques market.

This vase is made from tightly rolled magazine pages. I've seen a similar technique used to decorate picture frames as well.



This chair was given a new seat using men's ties plaited together. Underneath the ends of the ties are simply knotted together.

An old Texas license plate has been turned into a dust pan with a few bends & the addition of a handle.

And finally, a sailboat art decor piece made from aluminum cans. Of course, if I were to try this, it would have to be fashioned out of Coca-Cola cans!
In the spirit of upcycling, I'm starting the new Lift Me Up workshop at BPC today. The class is four weeks long and provides inspiration and instructions for four creative upcycling projects. Anyone else taking this class?

11 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing Melissa! I'm particularly amazed by the Budweiser ship!

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  2. Those are some awesome projects, especially the magazine vase. I did not take this class, maybe that was a mistake!

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  3. Love the dustpan. I'll look forward to the results of the class you're taking.
    rinda

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  4. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with Melissa!
    Alison xx

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  5. Love the license plate idea! Nope, not taking that class. Enjoying 31 Things though right now!

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  6. What great ideas, the license plate is amazing

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  7. I love the tie-chair - very cool.

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  8. I have too many other ongoing classes right now, but I look forward to you sharing your take on what you learn!

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  9. cute upcycles! all great ideas

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  10. Wow, I really like that chair with the ties and I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with in class

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  11. I'm hoping to resist any new classes this summer so I can concentrate on completing those I've already signed up for. The sailboat is amazing!

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's like a ray of sunshine in my day!