Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts

Monday, March 21, 2022

Repurpose Upcycle Reuse What You Already Have

                                            

Repurpose Upcycle Reuse What You Already Have


Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you stopping by. Last night I was thinking of repurposing, reusing, upcycling, and how many times can we do this to particular items. How many items in your home have been repurposed, and reused in some way. Also, are the repurposed projects from home, were they found items while thrifting, or were some pieces handmade by others. 

I LOVE to repurpose, upcycle, and reuse things myself. It can be more cost effective using what you already have, it’s fun to thrift for items to use, and these projects are great for your home or reselling too. Another reason to repurpose is that some of your pieces already have character, maybe some patina, some of their own details, and so on. Newer pieces do not have some of this. So, before you buy new have a look around. Carefully look for some pieces that you could reinvent. Some of the pieces might just need a little updating which could be new material, maybe united with another piece, paint touch up, some kind of new hardware, and so on. Just have fun reimagining them in new ways.

Remember I am suggesting some ideas before we start throwing things away, or sending them off some where. Nearly everything has possibilities for a second life. Seeing beyond what things are to what they can be can be fun, and a money saver too. A few ideas have been shared below of images shared for viewing.


This is a small Pedestal Plate Stand that I had made. I used an adorable little dish bowl, and attached it to a glass candle holder for the base stand.

Great idea! Use some of your favorite coffee mugs that maybe the insides are worn from time, or just some extras not being used. Add some styrofoam to put some succulents into, and add some filler around that. Adorable showing this on shelf, counter, window seal, etc.

Always looking for ways to do some small organizing, and using an old muffin tray would be perfect for small things as shown. Add an old handle to it if you like to carry it from spot to spot. The pan can be cleaned, and used as is. It could also be painted if you would like too.

Another great idea to reuse with some of your favorite little plants, succulents, etc. Old single coffee cup, bowl, glass bowl vase, and so many possibilities.

Got an old grater not being used? Why not smooth the cutting sides, and then hang it upside down for storage of colored pencils, maybe some crayons, scissors, and different things by your desk or for the kids.

Have an old shutter, and wasn’t exactly sure what to do with it. Picture above is 1 of many ideas what to do. Give it some paint, add a couple shelves to it, and it is something uniquely done for your home. This would be great in the bathroom, kitchen, your bedroom, in your office, and many possibilities.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Don’t be afraid to share, or comment with things shared here. Love hearing from you, and enjoy reading what you share. Take care, be safe, and see you again soon!








Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Repurpose Upcycle Reuse Recycle With Discarded Treasures

 


Repurpose Upcycle Reuse Recycle With Discarded Treasures

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you visiting with me today. Along with many others I will spend time roaming the internet researching, learning, reading, shopping, viewing pictures and ideas, and so on. I enjoy seeing creations of what people are making, what they are doing, how they are doing it, any instructions, and etc. I enjoy creating things, find it relaxing, its fun putting thoughts and ideas into something, and I find the little things bring a smile to my face, and hopefully yours as well. 

Sometimes common words used get used in many ways that I lose track of what the actual definition might be. So, I am sharing a little list here hoping to also help others too. These are definitions to some words when I googled them.

* Repurpose : You take one thing and use it for something else (repurpose it) before it goes through any breakdown, and reformation. For instance a shirt being used to make a handbag, or shopping bag. Maybe a metal pipe into a sculpture. Use something in a new way.

* Upcycle : Is familiar to recycling in that you are taking something, and reworking it into a new form for continued use. Main difference being you are not altering it’s form back into it’s components for reuse.

* Reuse : Whatever the purpose, you basically reuse the item for the same purpose more than one time

* Recycle : Return (material) to a previous stage of cyclic process; convert waste to a reusable material. For example a recycled box is broken down, and made into new cardboard. Or, plastic is broke down , and melted into new plastic. 

I know it can be confusing sometimes, but it also determines how we use the words and how we explain them to mean too.

Repurpose Vintage Items by giving new life to something already owned. Many things around a persons home that this can be done with. If you are like me, you won’t throw anything away because you might be able to use it some day. Looking through magazines, looking through thrift stores, roaming yard sales, and digging through junk there are always possibilities with things. 

I adore those who use bits, and pieces from the past to create something new to enjoy. Seeing beyond what it is, to what it can be makes wonderful one-of-a-kind treasures to enjoy for many more years. 

See how much fun junk can be? Hope you all enjoyed this topic today, and was able to maybe get a smile about a treasure or memory, see things in a different way, a little word definition assistance, and of course to maybe help you creating some ideas. If not reusing pieces as is, why not repurpose them in ways for you to enjoy, and cherish a little bit longer. Don’t forget the smile you could have with cherished memories too. 

Thank You for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Have fun, enjoy, and be safe everyone. I look forward to your next visit.





Monday, March 14, 2022

Repurposing Treasures For Home and For Resale

 

 
Repurposing Treasures For Home and For Resale

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy you stopped by! So many things that so many of us do when we craft. Some like to do completely handmade, some like to repurpose…upcycle…restyle…reuse…we like to paint, some items need glue, we design by sometimes uniting pieces, sometimes just a light cleaning gives new life to pieces too. These treasures are special because to us they are one-of-a-kind pieces that are special in many ways. I think it is fun, and enjoy seeing the creativity and excellence of so many talented people that is being shared too. I am often in awe of seeing so many things others are sharing from their vintage collectibles to their repurposing crafting styles. Some share through their blogs, their websites, and of course with all the different selling platforms being used too. 

So, what are some of your favorite things you like to share, or offer for sale? What are some of the things that you use to craft with? Are you specific to 1 area, a certain category, or maybe your interests are spread with different things. I love my vintage collectibles, and always will. I also take much joy in repurposing, and restyling different things I find. I love glassware, sometimes different plates bowls pans, I like different wooden pieces I can work with, and I truly enjoy many things with possibilities. Many pieces found are lonely pieces, come from unwanted broken sets, most are gently used, once in awhile new or like new condition, sometimes vintage pieces may be used for crafting, and so on. A lot of these treasures are found in Thrift Stores, Good Wills, Market Place, Junking, Yard Sales, sometimes curbside pieces are found, and pretty much anywhere that someone has something to offer. Sometimes my own treasures are used giving a new life to things, or a change with home decor. 

When I first started repurposing I did a lot of cake plate stands, candle holders, soap dish stands, jewelry holder stands, candy dishes, catch all pedestal stands, cloches, and many things to fit in with home decor. I enjoyed making these pieces because they were quite universal with many uses through out the home. Sometimes I showed how some of the pedestal stands could be flipped over used in another way too. That would determine the base that it had. I often showed different displays with my pictures to give everyone ideas, and maybe help them be creative with pieces too. 

Now with some of these things I did some light sanding, gluing, painting and spray painting, uniting pieces together, doilies, sheet music, ribbon, modpodge, and so many things you can use to create with. 

I enjoy doing this, find it relaxing, I’m at peace when working on things, and take pride in all the treasures I offer for resale, or for those that adorn my own home. I enjoy seeing the work of others who craft, and learning from many who have shared their treasures too. I am by far no expert with this, but do enjoy sharing with you. Even sharing my mistakes so that we all can learn from those too. 

So, what do you like to do? Is it pleasure, fun, business, or a hobby for you? What favorite things have you had the pleasures of making, creating, repurposing, restyling, finding, and etc.?

Below I am sharing just a few things from times past that I have made. 

Cloche Cheese Plate that I painted a pink slipper color. I laid a vintage doilie within it. Very fun piece to use, or mostly to decorate with.

Cheese Plate Cloche which I painted blue. I later found a doilie to lay in it. I also added some little trinkets with small pictures within it too.

Christmas Wall Decor I had made using plastic candy canes from Dollar Tree store, I braided some red and green ribbon to use as a hanger for it, mini green and red ribbons from Dollar Tree, and a Joy ornament I found at Walmart for the center of it. 

Black Cloche Cheese Plate Stand that was fun to make. I attached a wooden candle stick as the pedestal stand. I painted it black along with the cloche base too. I added white ribbon around the neck of the stand. Then, I cut some organ sheet music from a book to put in the center, and in middle of the stand. Used modpodge to seal this. This was really fun to show, display, and do different things with. 

Decorative Couch Chair Bed Pillow I made using 2 cloth placemats from Dollar Tree. I glued the pieces together around the edge, and used poly fill to fill it. These are so soft, and was actually my first one I made. 

White Cloche Cheese Plate was done here. I painted the base a pretty clean white color. In the center of the base I then added a cut from some sheet music I had. This was so adorable in person when it was dressed for displays. 

Blue White Cake Plate Pedestal Stand that I had fun putting together too. I found a pretty soft blue plate that has white snowflake designs through out it. I used a metal scroll candle holder, and painted that white which I later attached to the bottom of the plate. I enjoyed using this new lonely plate I had found, and uniting it with the metal scroll candle holder as its pedestal stand. Looks so much better in person, and it has so many possibilities too! Cake plate for serving, make it a candle holder stand with decoration around it, use it as a jewelry dish, in the bathroom or kitchen with some rolled cloths, set your dish soap and scrub pads on it, use it for organization, and many endless possibilities. 

It’s the beginning of the week, and I wish you all a great week! Take care, Happy Crafting and Treasure Hunting Everyone! Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! See you next time.







Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Spring Time Clocks Change Go Forward Saturday Night

 




Spring Time Clocks Change Go Forward Saturday Night

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! Been quite a while, and I am guilty of not being here. Sorry, no excuses will be used. Just Holidays, weather, winter blues, and so on.

I haven’t been crafting, and not really much of anything honestly. Spring is coming, I am excited with a few things I’ve gathered to craft with. Have a few ideas, and I hope I can do as I am planning on too.

 I have some doctor appointments I need to take care of. In May we will be in Tennessee for a few days attending my nieces graduation from college. Then, in June our niece gets married. This is a special time for us with her wedding. Her mother (my husbands sister) passed away about 5 days after giving birth to her. So, the aunts got together 1 weekend, and took her dress shopping. Along with her dress she got her veil, her shoes, a hair clip to wear with her veil, and a necklace and earring set. Since my husband, and I live closer to her we have been doing what we can to help her with her wedding preparations. Some of it financially too. No limit set. We want this special time to be fun, and memorable for her. Things are going pretty good, and the time is really coming up quickly too. 

I wanted to put a reminder out to everyone too. This weekend, Saturday night, need to remember that we set our clocks ahead an hour. Yes, that time of year again. We get to spring the clocks forward, and will unfortunately lose an hour of sleep too. Just think spring is soon here. I like this time of year when everything looks fresh, is alive, beautiful colors, getting away from the winter blues, and onto a great spring season. 



It was great having you visit LilacsNDreams, and Thank You so much for stopping by! Take care, be safe, and hope to see you again soon. 









Monday, November 22, 2021

Vendor Craft Fair DIY Handmade Repurpose Upcycle LilacsNDreams

 


Vendor Craft Fair With LilacsNDreams Saturday, November 13 was my very first vendor craft fair that I have participated with. I did this event with my niece, we rented 2 booths, was about 1 1/2 hours away from home, different area/people. I offered repurposed Pizza Pans, I made about 3 pillows, I had some of my cake plates offered, a cutting board that was done simple, my bigger and smaller angels, and etc,.

I’m not sure how I feel about participating with this event. I know my first one, and I guess I was expecting a little more with it. Parking became an issue, no one really greeted us as we set up our booths, there was an admission fee, it seemed like quite a few of the vendors there knew someone from town there, and it was not all handmade either. 

I had quite a few people look at my things, asked some questions, and after they would leave. We did a rush job setting our things up. I felt we should have slowed down just a bit. We had wooden crates to help us a little. Sadly, I had all kinds of pictures I wanted to share with you. Unfortunately with my new phone some pictures went missing. I had 2 pizza pans I repurposed, I did up 2 of the charger plates, I made 3 pillows, I had 4 angels I offered, etc. I wanted to share all my pics with you, but my new phone seems to have eaten some of them . . . . urrr. I thought this was suppose to be a craft fair. Yes, some things offered there were not handmade, and many people after looking at some of my things would ask me the price. Then they would leave. I felt like many of the people were wanting products offered to be cheaper. 

I sold 1 of my bigger angels, and that was my only sale for the day. I know it was my first showing, but things just felt uncomfortable, I didn’t care for the admissions fee, and I was expecting a little more of it I guess you could say.

Below are a few pictures I could find to share with you some of the things I had to offer at the craft fair. 














Thank you everyone for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, be safe, and see you again. Have a great day! Toodles . . . . 









Monday, November 8, 2021

Repurpose Upcycle Handmade DIY Crafts For Vendor Fair

 


Repurpose Upcycle Handmade DIY Crafts For Vendor Fair with LilacsNDreams. Welcome everyone who is visiting today!

This Saturday the 13th is our big day. I’m excited, and getting a bit nervous too. I have so much I want to have done for this vendor fair I am doing with my niece. I have started a few things, have a few items that have been completed, and of course more items I want to have done for this event too. This week is the last week for me to truly work on anything. I need things completed 24-48 hours before we load to leave. Things need to dry, set, and seal properly before they are moved, displayed, and going to their forever homes. 

Below are a few pictures of things started, and now are needing their finishing touches for completion.



Cutting board I found when thrifting


Above, and below shows front and back of what I started with using napkins



             Above, and below shows both napkin sides with words I have added to them also


Below is a pizza pan I lightly sanded, and the process I have done so far with a little painting, some mod Podge, scrapbook paper, and christmas ornament word JOY that will be centered






I luckily found 3 of these glass bottles from the DollarTree. They are being filled with ornament filler in the body area. I could not find angel wings to be used for the angels I am making. At the Dollar Tree I did find a silver, and a gold like pointsettia flower with some glimmer to them. I am using leaves from this to make the wings for the angels. The halos will be made from red, and silver glittered pipe cleaner. I have the little colored bows that I will be adding right at their necklines. 





Once I have completed these, and other projects I will be sure to share more pictures with you. It feels so good to be crafting again! I am really enjoying it! I am so excited to be doing my first vendor fair, and of course I am a little nervous too. I’ve always shopped at these places, and never knew I would be a vendor at one of them. Not only having completed projects to display for sale, but to organize everything else too. The application for acceptance, getting tables, planning how to display and organize things, business cards, and so on. Luckily I am doing this with someone I know. In the spring I am hoping to maybe convince a dear friend of mine that we do one of these craft fairs together too. You know, make it a girls weekend with work, and fun!

Wish me luck everyone, and thanks so much for the support of many too. Thank You for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, be safe, and see you again soon. Toodles . . . . .