It’s 2014. Despite your resolutions to be more eco-friendly, I predict you will continue forgetting your reusable bags with the same frequency you always have. Don’t despair. You’ll never have to face the shame of showing up bag-less if you stock up on long sleeve t-shirts from Goodwill. All it takes to be green this year is a little ingenuity.
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: re-usable bags, Upcycling, Upcycling Expert, Annie Temmink
New Year brings with it many joys, including the joy of thrashing glitter off of everything you own. (Is there anyone out there who wasn’t glitter bombed this New Year’s Eve?) Even if you avoided the sparkles, you’ve still got the whole year to completely change everything about yourself. Daunting as that may sound, I’m pretty sure you can do it with a little help from Goodwill.
Topics: upcycle, Upcycling, Annie Temmink
Sometimes the decorations are the best part of the holiday, particularly if they are simple and fun to make at home. Snow globes are a great example and they are easy to make with your family! You can pick up interesting toys from Goodwill to make your globes particularly memorable.
Topics: upcycle, Upcycling, Christmas decorating, Annie Temmink
The Holiday Gift Guide: Cheap gifts under $5 from Goodwill
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
If your friends invited you to thanksgiving this year and you’re looking for something to bring, or if you’re looking for an exciting, low-cost centerpiece, try making your own arrangements with glassware from Goodwill. You’ll find inspiration from the variety of vases, jars, and containers stocked on their shelves; and regardless of what you find, it’s guaranteed to be more interesting than your standard florist arrangement.
Topics: upcycle, Upcycling, Thanksgiving, Annie Temmink, Thanksgiving centerpiece