UP-CYCLE V RECYCLE
All furniture and homewares designed and produced by Karen Elzinga
A fast and great way to start building a portfolio of eclectic furniture and home ware pieces. It's fast because you don't need to build it from scratch your simply altering and adding to something already fashioned and built for a purpose.
When choosing to up-cycle furniture or home wares to re-sell, choose items that are a little bit different, unusual in shape, quirky, a little bit weird. People enjoy reclaimed goods but they also look for unique items that cannot be purchased in stores. That's their appeal especially if your a boutique outlet or simply a hobbyist looking for extra cash.
Up- Cycled goods can be really unique especially if you have a keen eye for imagination.
You might see something that no one could ever have imagined and that may just be your quickest seller ever. Industrial styled furniture is very hot right now, and guess what you'll find at tip/refuse yards, plenty of old tool benches, saw benches and a wealth of home built benches with monstrosities attached to them, not working... but they don't have to be to be an interesting talk piece in someone's living room after you've had your way with it.
When choosing to up-cycle furniture or home wares to re-sell, choose items that are a little bit different, unusual in shape, quirky, a little bit weird. People enjoy reclaimed goods but they also look for unique items that cannot be purchased in stores. That's their appeal especially if your a boutique outlet or simply a hobbyist looking for extra cash.
Up- Cycled goods can be really unique especially if you have a keen eye for imagination.
You might see something that no one could ever have imagined and that may just be your quickest seller ever. Industrial styled furniture is very hot right now, and guess what you'll find at tip/refuse yards, plenty of old tool benches, saw benches and a wealth of home built benches with monstrosities attached to them, not working... but they don't have to be to be an interesting talk piece in someone's living room after you've had your way with it.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX! This furniture item above was an old saw bench, it had the motor and a giant blade popping right out of the top of the table, by fashioning a new table top, adding a bit of creation it went from dab to fab and sold very quickly to a gentleman wanting unique one of a kind items for his house.
Recycling
Recycling materials is another great way to make money and get super creative. By taking parts and collectively bringing them together to build something new from something old.
Essentially you could place a new tag on the label because it's never actually been used in it's current new state, thus being new.
Get eclectic in your choices
When your at tip yards or salvage yards or even garage sale back yards look for weird items , rusted metals, rusted nuts and bolts, and nails, these items are imperative to creating with recycled timbers, there is nothing worse then seeing bright shiny bolts and screws on what is styled as vintage eclectic furniture. Stay tuned to the attention to detail, it is what makes it more appealing.
There is a lot of money to be made by thinking freely, by that l mean where can l get it for free. By placing ads on websites like gumtree or the trading post for old fencing timber you get plenty of phone calls from fencing contractors because when they take down old fences to put up new ones, they also dispose of the wood generally to the tip, which costs them for the privilege so they will happily dump it in your front yard because essentially your saving them money.
For free you've now got a whole fence worth of timber, to do niche more refined home wares such as timber signs, wall shelves, picture frames etc. And believe me it goes a long way.
What to look for – The trick is looking for what you may not need just yet, think a head. It's easier to work when you know what ingredients you have so stay one step a head of yourself. Look for unusual pieces not necessarily belong to anything, it maybe a muffler of a car or bike that you could turn into a light. Remember think outside the box and use your imagination to create the extraordinary.
Essentially you could place a new tag on the label because it's never actually been used in it's current new state, thus being new.
Get eclectic in your choices
When your at tip yards or salvage yards or even garage sale back yards look for weird items , rusted metals, rusted nuts and bolts, and nails, these items are imperative to creating with recycled timbers, there is nothing worse then seeing bright shiny bolts and screws on what is styled as vintage eclectic furniture. Stay tuned to the attention to detail, it is what makes it more appealing.
There is a lot of money to be made by thinking freely, by that l mean where can l get it for free. By placing ads on websites like gumtree or the trading post for old fencing timber you get plenty of phone calls from fencing contractors because when they take down old fences to put up new ones, they also dispose of the wood generally to the tip, which costs them for the privilege so they will happily dump it in your front yard because essentially your saving them money.
For free you've now got a whole fence worth of timber, to do niche more refined home wares such as timber signs, wall shelves, picture frames etc. And believe me it goes a long way.
What to look for – The trick is looking for what you may not need just yet, think a head. It's easier to work when you know what ingredients you have so stay one step a head of yourself. Look for unusual pieces not necessarily belong to anything, it maybe a muffler of a car or bike that you could turn into a light. Remember think outside the box and use your imagination to create the extraordinary.
Home Wares
If you've started by creating home wares from recycled timber, think about how you could maximize you sale potential by duplicating what your building.
Designing takes time, and time is money, so building two of everything makes a lot of sense. Variation is key here, make and vary them slightly, it might be the colour, a pattern or embellishment you add on, it could be writing, painted style (shabby chic or full opaque effect), bolt shape or size, what ever it is it gives your customers a choice.
It's much quicker to do two of everything then to do one and think about what to do next. Your already measured up for one, so why not just cut a few more whilst you have those measurements worked out and the drop saw set up.
Remember time equates to money, so make the most of your time management.
Designing takes time, and time is money, so building two of everything makes a lot of sense. Variation is key here, make and vary them slightly, it might be the colour, a pattern or embellishment you add on, it could be writing, painted style (shabby chic or full opaque effect), bolt shape or size, what ever it is it gives your customers a choice.
It's much quicker to do two of everything then to do one and think about what to do next. Your already measured up for one, so why not just cut a few more whilst you have those measurements worked out and the drop saw set up.
Remember time equates to money, so make the most of your time management.
GIVE PEOPLE CHOICE
Variation is key
It could that your variation is a small difference such as these examples, colour, embellishment how the twine is added, the wood shape at the base.
It could even be how you market them, one could be for incense sticks the other could be to hold kitchen utensils.
PLANT THE SEED
Give your customers ideas of how they could potentially use your products in different ways.
It could that your variation is a small difference such as these examples, colour, embellishment how the twine is added, the wood shape at the base.
It could even be how you market them, one could be for incense sticks the other could be to hold kitchen utensils.
PLANT THE SEED
Give your customers ideas of how they could potentially use your products in different ways.
Here's another example
Two walls sign shelves, constructed the same way using the same timber and shelf attachments .
Two choices for the customer, do they have a family... then it maybe about the red one, but if they don't have a family yet, l could loose a sale. However my alternate shelf is about happiness in life, problem solved hopefully if they like green, but at least they have the option, and l have a second chance at a sale.
Two walls sign shelves, constructed the same way using the same timber and shelf attachments .
Two choices for the customer, do they have a family... then it maybe about the red one, but if they don't have a family yet, l could loose a sale. However my alternate shelf is about happiness in life, problem solved hopefully if they like green, but at least they have the option, and l have a second chance at a sale.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
ASK YOURSELF THIS....
Do you remember something more if it stands out to you and if you've never seen it before or if you've seen 10,000 of them before everywhere.
Chances are that original one of a kind quirky, weird, statement piece will linger long in your mind a lot longer then a factory made piece. WHY?
Because it's different........ It challenges your concept of what is possible and chances are if there's only one available in the world; it will be sitting on your shelf at your house before long.
People love to have something no one else can, that's life and the nature of humanity. So when l talk about using your imagination it's to create something fresh, new, visionary and interesting such as these lights in old wine bottles.
I sold 3 of these in the space of 1 week. They look so cool at night.
Do you remember something more if it stands out to you and if you've never seen it before or if you've seen 10,000 of them before everywhere.
Chances are that original one of a kind quirky, weird, statement piece will linger long in your mind a lot longer then a factory made piece. WHY?
Because it's different........ It challenges your concept of what is possible and chances are if there's only one available in the world; it will be sitting on your shelf at your house before long.
People love to have something no one else can, that's life and the nature of humanity. So when l talk about using your imagination it's to create something fresh, new, visionary and interesting such as these lights in old wine bottles.
I sold 3 of these in the space of 1 week. They look so cool at night.
Timber signs sell very well
Timber signage is always a good and easy way to sell recycled timber.
You can either purchase stencils for words or letters, but generally they are pretty pricey for metal varieties especially. Cardboard you could get maybe 5 repeats before your letters start to curl up a little making a nice neat print more difficult, but they are cheaper.
I find the easiest method is paper transfer. Simply hit photoshop, write your words, reverse the words in photoshop so when attached to your timber the letters are the right way round, then glue your copy paper to your timber and leave to dry overnight (definitely). Add water and lightly scrub away the paper, you'll be left with a light white look when it dries but if you varnish over it, it will go away leaving your letter message perfect.
You can either purchase stencils for words or letters, but generally they are pretty pricey for metal varieties especially. Cardboard you could get maybe 5 repeats before your letters start to curl up a little making a nice neat print more difficult, but they are cheaper.
I find the easiest method is paper transfer. Simply hit photoshop, write your words, reverse the words in photoshop so when attached to your timber the letters are the right way round, then glue your copy paper to your timber and leave to dry overnight (definitely). Add water and lightly scrub away the paper, you'll be left with a light white look when it dries but if you varnish over it, it will go away leaving your letter message perfect.
GET CREATIVE
Not every piece of furniture needs legs, this is actually a wall hanging shelf, it's quite large over a meter in height.
Made with completely 100% recycled parts all adding to it's charm.
The beauty of this piece was that it came together like a jigsaw, with timber off cuts that l was planning to use for something else but never did. The trick here is never throw away anything. I can't tell you how many times l have thrown something away thinking it's life was over and then not 1 day later thought that piece would have been perfect for this project grrrrrrrr.
Not everything needs a back either, sometimes it's a missing things that can make them more appealing.
Made with completely 100% recycled parts all adding to it's charm.
The beauty of this piece was that it came together like a jigsaw, with timber off cuts that l was planning to use for something else but never did. The trick here is never throw away anything. I can't tell you how many times l have thrown something away thinking it's life was over and then not 1 day later thought that piece would have been perfect for this project grrrrrrrr.
Not everything needs a back either, sometimes it's a missing things that can make them more appealing.
3D SIGNS CAN BE SO COOL
Timber signs are great but 3D timber signs are awesome, people like the texture, the look, the uniqueness of them.
Even better is when they are made with a purpose for example the bottom sign here has individual little shelves to house tea light candles. It sold very quickly. People enjoy the dual nature of a timber sign especially for candle lovers.
Even better is when they are made with a purpose for example the bottom sign here has individual little shelves to house tea light candles. It sold very quickly. People enjoy the dual nature of a timber sign especially for candle lovers.
Up-Cycle Me
Taking a good solid piece of wooden furniture and transferring it into something completely different can be a very rewarding experience.
Take this item, originally it was a brown pine timber video stand, popular it's in day, but with a bit of imagination and know how you can turn it into something quite beautiful, functional, and almost vintage in appeal.
Now its a seat with storage underneath.
Take this item, originally it was a brown pine timber video stand, popular it's in day, but with a bit of imagination and know how you can turn it into something quite beautiful, functional, and almost vintage in appeal.
Now its a seat with storage underneath.
Industrial furniture is very in right now!
This piece l spoke about earlier, it's about imagination, l actually loved this piece, it is definitely one of a kind.
I changed the top and made it into an art work feature and l did the same the underpart where Vintage is now written.
I added gloss varnish to all the metal including the motor which looked amazing.
The best part about rusted metal is it looks unbelievable when you varnish it
I changed the top and made it into an art work feature and l did the same the underpart where Vintage is now written.
I added gloss varnish to all the metal including the motor which looked amazing.
The best part about rusted metal is it looks unbelievable when you varnish it
How about a sea change
Old brown shelf unit...now ocean inspired beach house unit. By adding fabric (SEE MY LESSON ON ADDING FABRIC TO FURNITURE) you can transform old furniture into something amazing, vibrant and modern with a touch of vintage to it.
BRING THE OUTDOORS INSIDE
Who said that outdoor items can't come indoors and look fabulous. An old and large metal hose reel was originally yellow but with a good spray paint now red, and a giant spring now the leg for a side table. A quirky piece of furniture.
Tool box on a stand
One item you'll see plenty of at the tip shops are old metal tool boxes, and they make the best toilet roll holders ever, or locked boxes for things you don't want anyone else seeing such as diaries. Simply clean up the box, you don't have to remove the paint or novelty features, keep it as rustic and authentic as possible and give a few coats of gloss varnish and those spots of rust will become a beautiful feature. Bolt onto a stand of sorts side ways and l cannot tell you how many people have told me that's such a great idea.
People are after novel, one of a kind pieces, the era of mass production furniture is over and people are slowly returning to different and interesting. (Thank God)
People are after novel, one of a kind pieces, the era of mass production furniture is over and people are slowly returning to different and interesting. (Thank God)
Old plastic wheel barrows
Often plenty of plastic wheel barrows at the tip shops and loads of chairs with metal legs. Combine the two and these bean bag chairs rock especially for kid's rooms. Collage with fabric over the barrow and gloss. These are nice, bright and super fun. And best of all cheap as chips!
RUSTED METAL SHELVES
Every Tip shop has some of these rusted metal shelves, metal stabilizer grid for concrete and timber. By wrapping timber around your metal shelves you get a new look entirely, and again gloss varnish those metal rusted shelves and it will look amazing. These make for great outdoor furniture items in undercover areas.
Bridge made from old double bed base
Ever thought of transforming one item into something completely different?
Well this double bed frame cost me $20 and my son and l transformed it as a mother and son project into a bridge in half a day. How gorgeous is that.
This could easily re-sell for $150 making you a nice quick profit.
Well this double bed frame cost me $20 and my son and l transformed it as a mother and son project into a bridge in half a day. How gorgeous is that.
This could easily re-sell for $150 making you a nice quick profit.
Wire and an old table stand made into water feature
This was created using wire and lots of it, two different types, galvanised and rustable (It looks black when new), by combining both it gave a fantastic contrast, then just roll like wire like rolling up a ball of wool. It sits on the base of a table that was turned upside down and positioned into a pot with a water feature added and a light.
Fire pit ambience made from recycled materials
Here is where recycled timber has a great place, especially old fence timber. If your going to leave it exposed outside, it already been termite treated, so that is another positive for using fencing timber.
All you need are the basic principals of seating, and that isn't hard, you can search patterns on the internet, or just use a simple design as l have done- a top, two sides and a cross panels to keep your legs together. All to simple.
All you need are the basic principals of seating, and that isn't hard, you can search patterns on the internet, or just use a simple design as l have done- a top, two sides and a cross panels to keep your legs together. All to simple.
Old case turned into side table with storage
An old cardboard style case and chair legs taken from another old chair, positioned together to achieve this quirky piece. Because the case is only hard cardboard a base of MDF wood was positioned inside the case and the legs screw to that. Fabric was used to cover the case
UP-CYCLED OLD WOODEN TABLES
Shabby chic old wooden furniture, it's the easiest and best way to hind any dents and bumps that the furniture has had in it's previous life and cover the tops with fabric (SEE MY LESSON ON HOW TO COVER FURNITURE WITH FABRIC) For a new and interesting finish. Tables are in abundence at tip shops, garage sales and op shops, and there's money to be made easily by covering tables with eclectic and funky fabrics. My view is if you can cover a book with sticky plastic book cover, than you'll be able to do this project with ease.
Old furniture has bumps, grooves and scratches, the easiest way to hide imperfections is to shabby chic the paint finish. All that means is paint it with one coat of paint, and than sand it back so you can see the paint colour or wood colour underneath in patches.
See my lesson on covering furniture with fabric for a great detailed lesson on how to do it.
Lets take a look at another one, as you can see it's a totally different table, and still has such amazing appeal for anyone looking for the vintage type retro table. The trick is if your going to cover a table, let the table style dictate the style of fabric used on it. There is no point putting country style fabric on a modern looking table, so choose your fabric carefully to suit the type of table style and you'll sell a bundle of them.
THEY REALLY DO COME UP LOOKING A MILLION DOLLARS
MODERN FAKE FURNITURE BACK INTO VINTAGE StYLE
TURN MORE MODERN DAY painted furniture fakes and take them back to the era they look like they are from.
FURNITURE BACK INTO VINTAGE This was originally a kids table, painted pink with embellishments, though the style screamed vintage old, so by choosing the right fabric it turned back into that style and sold quickly.
FURNITURE BACK INTO VINTAGE This was originally a kids table, painted pink with embellishments, though the style screamed vintage old, so by choosing the right fabric it turned back into that style and sold quickly.
Mix and match furniture
This was an old dressing table, l used chair legs and raised the height of the dressing table and inserted a slated base to the middle, even the vase is from the tip! It is covered in fabric. SEE MY LESSON ON ADDING FABRIC TO FURNITURE.
There is no hard and fast rule for furniture design, if it functions and looks good than your on a winner, but jazz it up with unusual prints that are bold and the ordinary become extraordinary!
There is no hard and fast rule for furniture design, if it functions and looks good than your on a winner, but jazz it up with unusual prints that are bold and the ordinary become extraordinary!
Raising furniture, is not hard, especially if you re-commission a wooden chair.
Old to New Again
Made from scrap sheet metal, handles are sand paper pads, the artwork part is photographs of my art. Sheet metal comes in a roll and is easily cut by scissors, l then used tacks holding them with a pair of tweezers to hammer in the sheet metal.
Tin sheeting is bought on a roll, the rolls are only small in width approx 30cm, it's available from Bunnings hardware store. It is very easily cut with a pair of scissors because its only just thicker than a sheet of paper.
Sculpture garden made from old clay pipes.
Have a keen eye when looking at tip shops, research projects your typically interested in so you know and understand how materials are used, so when you come across something awesome you know exactly what your buying it for, and how to use it.
Old copper pipes make awesome garden pots for a sculptural garden.
Hanging gardens
Transform old pallets into a hanging plant garden
Old pallets can be picked up for free or a minimal fee at numerous places. You will need a cutting tool such as a saw or jigsaw to craft this project, but the end results are cheap and effective.
Old pallets can be picked up for free or a minimal fee at numerous places. You will need a cutting tool such as a saw or jigsaw to craft this project, but the end results are cheap and effective.
Keep an eye out, at some tip shops they give paint away for free, so you can always collect a great range of bright colours to keep on hand for those future projects.
Old metal shelves into a rustic screen
Recycled timber, corrugated iron and old metal shelving fantastically rusted, varnished it comes up a glossy treat transformed into this unique screen. Originally this was a metal shelf unit, l simply unscrewed it all, rearranged it and put it back together as a screen.
Corregated iron sheets especially rusty ones can always be found at tip shops, simply varnish them, and the rusted colours come out and brilliantly shine like it was commissioned that wayoriginally, it truly looks amazing!
Sculptured lamp made from discarded army toys
This is a light made from plastic army toys, it's quite large and 1.3 meters tall. All the toys are added to a wooden core using no nails glue, the light was woven in as the sculpture was made, and then everything was sprayed red and spray glossed.
Scrap pieces come together
A mixture of up-cycled and recycled parts can make for very interesting furniture pieces. Sometimes at tip shops, garage sales and the likes you'll see bits and pieces that could come together to become something awesome such as this bar/kitchen caddy. Various timbers mesh together to create a interesting space, you just have to have an idea of what you what to make ahead of time. Websites like pinterest are especially good for providing ideas. Its a greta idea to create a digital folder and collect pictures of your favorite ideas for referal later.
TURN OLD WOODEN SINGLE BEDS INTO DELIGHTFUL KID’S BENCH SEATS
Try turning old wooden bed's into bench seats, they come up so beautiful, and the two l made sold not for the purpose of little kid's rooms but two adults wanted them for displaying things on. So the market potential is great
Add fabric to the timber for varying unique looks (See my lesson on adding fabric to furniture here)
The beauty of this is with one bed you get two bench seats if you go for the two ended bed frames, now for about $10-15 per bed frame at a tip shop that's a good profit when you sell.
Add fabric to the timber for varying unique looks (See my lesson on adding fabric to furniture here)
The beauty of this is with one bed you get two bench seats if you go for the two ended bed frames, now for about $10-15 per bed frame at a tip shop that's a good profit when you sell.
Let's look at another example
BE QUIRKY & WEIRD
I'VE SAID IT BEFORE , QUIRKY, WEIRD FURNITURE SELLS.....
Creating from scratch means you can really play around with your ideas, and often your ideas will come along as you go.
Playing with colours, make sure they go well together harmoniously and don't scream l'm horrible don't buy me... Don't worry there plenty out there.
Mix and match fabric with paint for unusual eclectic effects, they will be eye catching to say the least, and try to give your furniture a unique purpose so your customers can visualize what they can use it for.
Creating from scratch means you can really play around with your ideas, and often your ideas will come along as you go.
Playing with colours, make sure they go well together harmoniously and don't scream l'm horrible don't buy me... Don't worry there plenty out there.
Mix and match fabric with paint for unusual eclectic effects, they will be eye catching to say the least, and try to give your furniture a unique purpose so your customers can visualize what they can use it for.
Having an idea of what your making before you start can help, and theme it, so l want to make a coffee stand, l need somewhere to put my kettle, l want storage for coffee and tea etc, and l want my cups there for easy access. A target list will help your ideas, and at least draw roughly what your finished creation should look like. The more information you have at the start the more successful your project will be.
So a place to hang my cups is done.
Easy access on top for my kettle.
Storage below for my coffee and teas.
Make a set V single items
Sometimes it is an advantage to have a few items of a similiar theme, incase people are wanting to create a themed room, l tend to do this when l'm on a winning colour combination, as shown above.
Pick up odd items in your travels.
When l'm looking for odd items l always make sure that there's a way for me to attach it with minimal fuss. Take this blue piece of piping, there's no point buying it if l can't attach it, it was perfect because it had holes in it, so with a few bolts it's on, so now a novelty table. So easy to make money.
