Change of Pace!

So although I was really excited about working with children on the importance of the environment, I've had some change in my idea on the next project. Yes, still focusing on the environment -- the importance of reusing, reducing, recycling. Laura and I are going to do a collaborative project, focusing on taking old, "ugly," unwanted things, particularly furniture pieces, and turning them into beautiful pieces (in an inexpensive manner). Reusing what is already here, reducing the cost of making and buying a new of the same thing, which is recycling that old piece into something new and beautiful! Also, perhaps finding non-functional pieces and turning them into functional pieces -- once again, reducing, reusing, and recycling! Yay, I'm excited! Earlier in the semester I was telling Laura how I had needed a nightstand for a while. When going to Goodwill to donate clothes (inspired by my Materialism Geurilla Project), I saw an old, ugly, definitely not my style, nightstand. I bought it for $15 (the guy who worked there gave me $5 off). I bought a small bucket of paint from Wal-Mart (about $6), used a paint brush I had, and bought new handles for it ($8), and vwah-la! A super cute, fresh, new nightstand that I love! Muchhh cheaper than buying a new one. (I later saw one almosttt similar at Anthropologie selling for $675 or so! Is that really necessary? I'll take my own personalized one). Reduce, reuse, recycle! Laura reminded me about this and we were both kind of inspired! We plan on going to thrift shops, yard sales, etc. (Freecycle?) to find pieces to convert. If we use materials that are also environmentally friendly, that'd be even better! This also reduces furniture and pieces from being wasted, thrown away, and left to sit in landfills and rot. Why throw away pieces that with a little spice and tender loving care, could be amazing, gorgeous, and perfectly functional?! We want to have the pieces go toward a cause, or donate it to something, we just haven't figured it out yet! Still working out the kinks, but this is our foundation so far! :)

Here's a cool website I found sort of revolving around this same idea: http://weburbanist.com/creative-recycled-art-architecture-and-design/

"Many people associate environmentalism with gloom-and-doom predictions about the planet. While climate change is a serious issue, many artists, architects and other designers are also working on smaller scale green projects that both effect the environment and cause change by sparking discussion and reflection. While the actual direct impact of any given artwork or design may be small the cumulative result of their efforts is palpable and grows bigger with each creative and sustainable design or art project."

"Recycled Material Used in Furniture Design and Construction: While some of these works could be considered kitsch a number of these are not only functional but also aesthetically compelling. Many recycled furniture designs flaunt their former lives as anything from bicycle tires to bath tubs. Instead of simply going for an ultra-sleek piece of modern hipster furniture, why not try something a bit out of the ordinary that is also good for the environment?"

Other cool recycled products that I found on http://ecoble.com/2008/03/12/10-unusually-creative-ways-to-recycle-ordinary-objects/