It happens to all of us. You find a great pair of jeans, you wear them religiously and they rip in remarkably un-strategic places. How can you revive them from the dead? This week I’ve got a quick (and effective) way to fix this problem. The next time you’re shopping at Goodwill and you find a fantastic pair of designer jeans with a big tear, you’ll have the tools you need to bring them back to life.
Upcycling Expert - Annie Temmink
Annie completed her BA in sculpture and math from Davidson College in North Carolina, and received a Thomas J Watson Foundation Fellowship to travel independently for twelve months studying fashion and textiles. From Indonesia to Japan, India to Uganda and Tanzania, she worked with village women, dove through sprawling second-hand markets and explored fashion in the world’s biggest cities and smallest towns. The scope of her studies took her from preparing plants for organic dyes to exploring the factories that produce clothing for brand name stores.
Much of Annie’s inspiration comes from common or unwanted materials whose wide availability sparked her interest in recycling materials six years ago. Now she transforms repurposed clothing into sculpture for solo exhibitions and larger installations. Her work catches attention including that of trend forecasting companies in New York and private collectors on the east coast. Annie looks forward to blogging about her experiences and showing you how to create fabulous projects (clothing, jewelry and beyond) with materials from Goodwill.
Annie currently designs and makes clothing and accessories (and dances like-a-fool) in Charlottesville, Virginia. To learn more and to see Annie's projects visit: www.artemmink.com
Topics: upcycle, DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
Slipcovers are a quick and easy way to update indoor and outdoor seating for summer. Transforming a button down shirt into a slipcover is quick, easy and looks very professional. Plus you can customize it using your own prints. All you need is a button down from Goodwill, cardboard, and fabric paint.
Topics: upcycle, DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
Topics: upcycle, DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
With spring almost here, now is the time to bring out bright colors and bold patterns. This year skip the Hawaiian print and make your own patterns with acrylic paint and Sharpies. This week I took inspiration from Basquiat (a graffiti artist who became a famous New York painter) and painted a jacket that I sourced from Goodwill.
Topics: upcycle, DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
1 minute, 30 seconds + Goodwill Tie = 1 Pocket Square and a Headband
Short on time this week? With a dollar in your pocket and 30 seconds on your watch you can turn a Goodwill tie ($1) into a pocket square (and in another minute make a headband with the scrap). Pocket squares are a great way for guys to add play to their look without much effort. Choose ties that contrast your jacket - go for brights or match with shoes, shirt or other details of your style.
Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
I fell in love with African print fabrics in Ghana. They are bold, covered in big designs and have no fear of being too colorful or too expressive. When I am home I remark what a contrast this is to the American, often monochromatic, wardrobe. Our t-shirts however, come in the full rainbow of colors; they just need a little more sophistication. So this week you don’t have to go all the way to West Africa to add some color and confidence to your wardrobe. You just need a few t-shirts in your favorite colors from Goodwill. While you’re there, also look for stretchy patterned shirts, skirts or jackets whose fabric or embellishments you can use to complement those t-shirts. Certainly don’t shy away from bright colors: the point is for bolder to be better.
Topics: upcycle, DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
Circle your calendars for next Tuesday, March 26th, because it’s almost time for Holi, the Hindu festival of colors. While the celebration’s back-story is a little gory, the festival primarily celebrates the colors of springtime, the coming crops and the season of love beginning as winter comes to an end.
Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
What you’ll need:
Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink, Sharpie, fabric dyeing
When you see mismatched cups and plates at Goodwill, do you ever think some of them would be great if only they came in a set? Or, maybe they are too boring and could use a little more decoration? Today’s the day to put those thoughts aside because this week I’ll show you how to spice up mismatched plates for fun table settings that can coordinate, but don’t have to be matching sets. Also see some good ideas for decorating your bare house or apartment walls.
Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
You can often find lots of inexpensive candles at your local Goodwill Store & Donation Center. Some are pristine and ready to use while others have a little wear. But, even if you don’t want to use the candles as is, they are easy to upcycle into more fun, luminescent shapes. So, take a few home with you next time you go, and I’ll show you some great ways to use them in your home, on your patio, or in your garden.
Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink