Upcycling Expert - Annie Temmink

Photo credit: http://www.btcelements.com /product2928/recycled-t-shirt-shag-rug

I’ve been thinking about the cold all winter and wishing I had a big fluffy rug to add some color to my room and to warm up my feet.  But, have you ever tried shopping for a rug?  Even the cheapest, most unattractive rugs always seem too expensive and they’re usually made of nylon or polypropylene or something equally un-fluffy sounding.  What about the good old days when rugs were made out of wood, cotton, and animal hides? Think about the earliest rug ever discovered (called the “Pazyryk” carpet, unearthed at a burial site in Siberia.  Dating back to the 5^th century BC, it was frozen in ice, which kept it preserved remarkably well.  Made with a hand-knotting technique still used today, it exhibited wonderful detail in rich colors. With an average of 200 knots per square inch it was made out of the natural materials available in that area (no polypropylene).)  Such labored, natural beauty is part of what has made rugs such coveted, heirloom items in so many different cultures.

Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink

While Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) often refers to the day before Ash Wednesday (February 13^th this year), anyone in New Orleans will tell you that Mardi Gras should last for weeks, if not the whole month approaching Lent. To get you in the spirit, and help you get your Mardi Gras on while there’s still time, here are some great up-cycled party ideas to inspire you.

Topics: mardis gras, DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink

Now that winter is in full swing, most people have reverted to dark coats and functional clothing to keep out the cold. With such a dreary backdrop, there’s no better time to add a little playfulness and humor to your wardrobe, while also up-cycling old stuffed animals.

Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink

Sometimes I see white pants, button downs, skirts and dresses at Goodwill and think they have a great shape, but need some color or a splash of something.  If you feel similarly, this is the week to stock up on white clothes at Goodwill because I’ll show you how to use magazine pages to transfer images onto those plain clothes.  You can get awesome results with just a few tools, and make those whites more graphic and fun.  (It’s a great way to use those old magazines, too!)

Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink

It’s been about a month since you were working the bad holiday sweater party circuit with those unique sweaters you thought were such a great idea, but now you’ve still got one or two pretty wild ones hanging in your closet. You could simply donate them back to Goodwill, but why not turn them into something you will actually wear for the rest of the winter?

Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink

You just found a great pair of shoes at your local Goodwill, but they've got some wear and tear? Give them a fresh coat of paint and a whole new life. See instructions below:

	Step 1.  I just found these at my local Goodwill. I think they have a lot of potential! Before you start with your own shoes, it's a good idea to scrub them with soap and water and let them dry in the sun. (They will look better and the paint will stick better, too.)
	Step 2. To start, look at patterns and other designs that you like and find the style you want by testing your ideas on paper. Or forget that and just draw right onto the shoe from your imagination. It's helpful to use a marker that is similar to your shoe's color so that any mistakes can be covered up with paint later. (Dark ink can be hard to hide.)
	Step 3. I decided to go with a simple pattern of triangles, and drew out the full design that you see to the left.
	Step 4. Next, apply paint with a small brush. I like acrylic paint because you can find it at any craft store, it's water based and holds up well. House paint and other paints could also work, (preferably not enamel/oil paints based because they take ages to dry). Experiment!
	Step 5. It can be hard to paint crisp even edges so, once the paint dries, I like to outline the design in black permanent marker. It gives the shoes a sharper look.
	Now just lace them back up and they are ready to wear! (By the way, these are great shoes for swing dancing! Maybe now you have an excuse to cut a rug, too.)

 

Topics: Goodwill, DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink

This blog will be about playfulness and experimentation, as much as it is about refashioning and up-cycling. Live a little. Try on something outrageous. Be adventurous!

Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink

On my trip to Milwaukee, I stopped to shop at three different Goodwill stores.  And let me tell you, they did not disappoint!

Topics: DIY, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink