Tossed & Found: an upcycling love story

Fri, Feb 15th - 12:30pm

“You say good-bye, but I say hello. Hello, hello! I don’t know why you say good-bye, I say hello.”

— Beatles, 1967 —

They say confession is good for the soul, so let me begin by saying right up front that my name is Kerry and I am a Dumpster Diva.

That’s right. A Junkyard Gypsy. A CurbsideCollector. A Shabby Shopaholic.

As it turns out, my timing could not be more perfect. It seems there is a movement afoot to not just reclaim and recycle old objects, but to upcycle them as well.

According to Upcycle Magazine, upcycling involves “taking an item that is no longer needed or wanted and giving it new life as something that is either useful or creative.”

And so, an old, silver snuff box I recently uncovered at a local thrift store has become a beautiful business card holder.

A broken set of snare drums becomes the perfect potted plant holder.

A vintage board game and abandoned table base have come together to form a charming side table.

And a handful of damaged book spines have been transformed into one-of-a-kind bookmarks.

The possibilities are truly endless.

If you’re keen on just trying your hand at upcycling, here are a few tips to consider:

• Take a closer look. Could that old end table be flipped upside down and used as a pet bed? Look at objects differently from an entirely new perspective.
• Get connected to Pinterest. The upcycling ideas there are truly endless from this free, online resource.
• Be on the look-out for quality vintage goods. Sometimes a damaged or broken chair leg can cost you more time and money to repair than you’re willing to pay.
• Think function. Consider how you could actually use an item in your home, so it doesn’t just become a dust collector.
• Mix it up.  My own lifestyle is filled with modern challenges (not to mention two busy kids), so mixing vintage and contemporary looks is a must. Don’t be afraid to allow your own home goods to mix and mingle!
• Fake it. Give modern furnishings a vintage feel by using products like milk or chalk paint. There are many ways to distress items to give them that coveted patina. Find a local workshop that helps guide you through the process, or search online for web tutorials.
• Have fun and feel good! Not only does upcycling provide a great creative challenge, it also helps divert mounds of furnishings and other home goods from landfill sites. So go ahead and feel great about doing your part. 

Thrift on, my friends!

KERRY RAMSAY is a college professor and the Chick Executive Officer (CEO) of Chickadelic Salvage & Design at 34 Mill Street in Stirling, Ontario. Opening April 6th!  www.sochickadelic.com

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