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
January is national soup month and national slow cooking month (I read it somewhere on the internet, so this could be true.) Either way, this time of year makes everyone want to hibernate with cozy food. Unfortunately, most of us are not bears, and can’t hibernate. Instead, we should have more potlucks. Why would you not? In a month where there’s little joy in time spent outside, and even less sunshine to keep our thoughts happy, a splash more warm, human interaction would do us all some good.
Topics: upcycle, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
Even though your friends are worth it, you may not have it. Never fear, Goodwill’s got great gifts for your great friends for $5 or less. And here are 10 of the many gift ideas you could find at Goodwill for all of your stylish, cultural, or offbeat friends and family.
Topics: Upcycling, Christmas, Christmas gifts, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
Now is the time to get in the spirit with weird holiday sweaters, so shop Goodwill and try this project! You’ll outdo your friends and it’s easy to disassemble if, after the holidays, you just want the plain sweater. Re-donate the adornment along with your other holiday items!
Topics: upcycle, Upcycling, Christmas sweaters, crazy Christmas sweaters, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
It’s winter. You’re thinking about sweaters and getting ready for ugly sweater parties, but sometimes sweaters just don’t make the cut. Maybe they’re too small, oddly shaped, or otherwise un-wearable. Luckily for you, here’s an easy way to turn knitwear into fun winter hats.
Topics: Upcycling, winter hats, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
If you liked the Sharpie® dyeing project, you’ll probably enjoy this low cost fabric dyeing method too. With foam shaving cream and paint you can make beautifully marbled fabric patterns that would be much more expensive if done the traditional way.
Topics: fabric marbling, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink, fabric dyeing
If you want a fun project to do this weekend head to Goodwill and look for candles and bright paint to make modern candlesticks. It’s fun to do with your friends, your kids or just by yourself. Plus, it’s a great Thanksgiving centerpiece or room decoration.
Topics: Upcycling, Thanksgiving, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink, Thanksgiving Decorating
Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away, so you are just in time to start drying herbs for the holidays. Freshly dried herbs make delicious meals and it’s easy to do at home. Baskets provide the perfect structure for drying so go to Goodwill to see what you can find.
Topics: upcycle, Upcycling, Thanksgiving, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
Since Halloween is tomorrow, I thought it would be fun to do one last post on costume ideas. This one is for Halloween hats. Hats make great costumes because you can move and dance in them so easily and they make a big statement. Plus, you can make one the night before or even the day of and still have a great piece.
Topics: upcycle, Upcycling, Halloween costumes, Halloween, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
Okay, okay I need to start thinking about a Halloween costume. What to be, what to be? ... Ooh, what about those celebrities who wear outrageous stuff on their heads?
Topics: upcycle, Upcycling, Halloween costumes, Halloween, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
Sometimes the hardest part about getting into the Halloween season is deciding what to be. Good costumes take time to put together, but key accessories can help you create the look you want and give you flexibility if you change your mind at the last minute. For instance, you may have your heart set on dressing up like your favorite Alexander Wang protégé when your friends tell you they all want to go as monsters instead. With this furry cuff you can spice up either outfit and others too!
Topics: upcycle, Halloween costumes, Halloween, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
