Homegrown Reuser: Kersti

This is the third installment of our Homegrown Reuser series. Let me introduce you to Kersti from Bramble Handmade; she love to recycle, repurpose, and redesign! It's her motto!

Who are you? 

Hi, my name is Kersti, from Bramble Handmade. I am a local artist from Calgary who recycles, repurposes, recreates and redeems old items into happy, new loves. I strive to give old and unappreciated pieces new life through changing their looks and updating their uses.
I love to take old (usually ugly!) picture frames, and recreating them into lovely practical earring display frames, chalk boards, or white boards.

Where do you get them?

I get all my various frames, furniture, tins, buttons everywhere, literally, from back alleys. To the dump!

What is your favorite piece of work you have done and why?

I don't know if I have a favorite piece to be honest. I really love that every piece I make is different and I try to pull the unique features out of each piece, because we are all different. Similar, yet different. 

Vintage Button Bobby Pins

What inspired you to do this?

I have always been able to create and use recycled products, so it just made sense! There is so much in the world that we think is useless,but it isn't. It just needs to be recycled, redesigned, repurposed, and finally redeemed!

Do you have any tips/ inspiring words to share with newbie reusers?

Just have fun, get dirty, and challenge yourself! 

What are your goals for the future, both with work and life?

My greatest goal for my life is to love Jesus, live with passion and love others fiercely. How that works itself out I am very excited to see! With Bramble Handmade, I am just trying to learn as much as I can, help make beautiful useful art for our homes, and completely unique jewelry. I also want to teach others how to look past what is in front of us, and see the beautiful potential in old, used or broken pieces. 

Where can we find you?
I am on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest under Bramble Handmade. I also have a website which is under construction. So very soon you'll be able to see what I do, know where I am going and where to buy my pieces. at www.bramblehandmade.ca. 

Facebook: Bramble Handmade

Instagram: Bramble Handmade

Pinterest: Bramble Handmade


- Michelle (Volunteer)

Kennedale Eco Station opens with a brand new Reuse Area

You know all about the Reuse Centre, but did you know that the City of Edmonton has two Reuse Areas as well?

In an effort to encourage reuse and reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill, Ambleside Eco Station (14710 Ellerslie Rd SW) and the brand new Kennedale Eco Station (5355 127 Ave) are each home to a Reuse Area.

What does that mean?

Eco Stations are a one-stop-drop for most of the items that you can’t put out for curbside pickup, including electronics, hazardous household waste like batteries and chemicals, and large pieces of furniture. Not quite sure what to bring there? Find their list here.


When Edmontonians bring their large items or electronics for responsible disposal of at an Eco Station, staff keep a keen eye out for items in good, working condition. With the resident’s permission, staff can now set those things aside in the Reuse Area. Regular disposal fees still apply, though many things, such as household electronics are free to drop off. Items in the Reuse Area are free for others to take.

What can you find in the Reuse Area?

Ambleside Reuse Area

Anything that a resident drops off at an Eco Station, that is still in good condition!

All items are selected at the discretion of the Eco Station attendants. Like the Reuse Centre, stock is entirely dependent on what has been dropped off recently, and all items are first-come, first-served. Depending on the day, you might find furniture, television sets and other household appliances, movies, or even a pair of skis. A lucky treasure hunter I know once found a fully equipped weight bench!



Reuse Centre, Reuse Area, what's the difference?

Both are efforts by the City of Edmonton to encourage reuse and keep usable goods out of the landfill.

Kennedale Reuse Area

• The Reuse Centre focuses on a specific list of small, everyday items that, for the most part, are not accepted by other second-hand organizations. There is currently one location (6835 83 St). Items on the list are free to drop off, and customers can purchase items for a low cost ($5 per up to 50kg)

• There are two Reuse Areas, one located in the Ambleside Eco Station and the other in the brand new Kennedale Eco Station. Reuse Areas focus on larger items that residents have brought to the Eco Station for recycling or disposal. Items are free to take, but standard Eco Station fees apply for drop off. 

Did you know that all Eco Stations accept items for the Reuse Centre from the accepted items list? Next time you're visiting an Eco Station, you can also bring your Reuse Centre donations for free! Just mention to the attendant that you have Reuse Centre donations. Items are delivered to the Reuse Centre on a weekly basis.
So, next time you’re dropping off your broken electronics, household hazardous waste, or unwanted furniture at an Eco Station, check out one of the two Reuse Areas. You never know what you might find!

- Sarah (Volunteer)

Swap-it FUN!

 As warm weather slowly comes to Edmonton, are you looking at your closet and drawers, excited to see it full of summer clothes? I definitely can’t wait to hang up my colourful summer dresses!  Change of season is a great time to get rid of some clothes that may no longer suit your style. You know what I mean, those garments gathering dust in your closet that you glimpse from time to time and think, ‘I’ll wear that one day’ – except you don’t. Perhaps one of your friends or colleagues would fall in love with it and wear it all the time! In discussion with some of my girlfriends that are facing the same inner clothing struggle, we decided to do a clothing swap!

Clothing swaps are awesome, inexpensive, and easy to organize. All you really need to do is:

1. Find a location – one of your friends that is willing to host, and designate some rooms for changing (preferably with full length mirrors).

2. Send out invitations to all your friends who may be interested!

3. Donate any items that are unclaimed at the end to a local charity.

Easy as 1-2-3! Some optional items to consider:

• Setting a minimum and maximum number of items each person should bring. This is your judgement call based on the guest list size.

• Don’t limit it to just clothes – throw in jewelry, purses, shoes, belts – who doesn’t love accessories? Style it up! ;)

• Ask each guest to bring a food item to make it a fun potluck event! 

• If you are worried that people might argue over an article of clothing, flip a coin to avoid any hurt feelings.

Here are a couple photos of some items I obtained from a clothing swap I attended a short while ago – they are total gems! And honestly, not that it’s a reason to choose a particular item or not (as long as you feel good in it!), but I receive by far the most compliments on clothing that are hand me downs – people love unique items like these.

Happy spring swapping!

- Tamara (Volunteer)

Homegrown Reuser: Oriana Rollo

This is the second installment of our series on Homegrown Reuser. Oriana Rollo reuses broken dishes, wool jackets and bullet shells to make some beautiful things. Read below to find out more!

Who are you?

My name is Oriana. I live and craft in the town of Canmore, Alberta located the Rocky Mountains. I create jewelry and other handmade goods for the home, using found objects and recycled materials.

What materials do you use and where do you get them?

Part of the fun of making each item is in the find. I love visiting my local thrift stores and getting inspired. Victory Thrift in Canmore is very supportive and lets pick out broken dishes that I think I can use for making my broken china plate pendants. I also use wool jackets to make pillows, bullet shells to make earrings & cuff links, scrabble game tiles into cute pendants, and up-cycled costume jewelry.

What is your favourite piece of work you have done and why?

My current favourite is making mountain pillows out of up-cycled wool jackets. I love leaving on some of the details of the jackets to give a hint of their former life. Some of the pillows have the buttons, cuffs, or even pockets worked into the design.

What inspired you to do this?

I get excited about re-using, and making something old into something new! Participating in craft fairs is always motivating as other peple get to share their enthusiasm for what you have made.

Do you have any tips/ inspiring words to share with newbie reusers?

Try something new. I think once you start you’ll wonder how you lived without it before :)

What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?

I don’t think I could ever give up crafting now that I have started. It is my creative outlet, my therapy, and my passion.

I have started running my own craft market called Mountain Made Craft & Artisan Market which promotes local hand made crafters. 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mountainmademarket

Where can we find you?

Currently, I primarily sell my goods at Farmer’s Markets located in the Rockies including the mountain communities of Canmore, Banff, Invermere, Radium, & Revelstoke.

Also check out my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdbluedesign

Anyone can view and buy Oriana's creations online through her Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/birdbluedesign

- Michelle (volunteer)

April Reuse-it Item: Books

Books aren't just for reading! In this month's Reuse-item blog post, our bloggers show a few interesting ways to reuse those old books that are cluttering up your house.

Nichole:
After my recent adventure at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, I still have comics on the brain. That's why I adore this craft for coasters found on the blog, Mod Podge Rocks, made from vintage comic book panels! Ignoring the fact that the blogger who shared the idea markets them as "crafts for men" (trust me, everyone will think they're cool!), this link explains very nicely how to do this super awesome craft. He uses metal outlet covers from the hardware store, but I'm sure repurposed cork board or ceramic would do just as nicely. Then all you need are an old book, comic or otherwise, and some Mod Podge, and you're set to Wham! Plomf! Kapow! your guests with your indisputably awesome taste. Holy stylin' coasters, Batman!

Michelle:

Need some privacy or a secret place to store some valuables? Want to hide some items your house guests don't need to know about? The Drifter and the Gypsy blog proposes making a book with a storage compartment instead of buying organizers or baskets. A couple of tips: make sure to get a thick book and one that you will remember. Also, decorate it with scrapbook paper so it stands out to you.

Mallory:

No one ever seems to know what to do with their old books. They sit on shelves, collecting dust year after year. But never fear, we've got a solution!
Here's yet another creative way from, Make the Best Things blog, to spruce up the lights in your home by using book pages to make an attractive chandelier. Not only will remind you of your favourite stories every time you look at it, it will also be a nice addition to your decor.

Lana:
Book pages are beautiful. At least I think so. When a story isn't so great and not worth passing along, the book pages are pretty and perfect for projects like Stephanie Lynn's rolled roses. She uses them for topping gifts and creating this beautiful rose "curled-wood" wreath. I plan on making some to trim my next hat!

Tamara:
Sometimes I like just making stacks of old books as decoration with a candle or a string of lights over it because it looks cool, the candles smell good, and I have a hard time parting with books. However I also saw a really cool idea on the blog, Todolwen, that I plan on trying. Cut out pages from old books and make them into leaves, and make a book tree! See the awesome photo. Cut out any random assortment, or personalize it by using lines of prose you find particularly beautiful or compelling.

 
- Reuse Centre Blogger Team

Battery Newman’s “Turn Me In” to an Eco Station debut

What can be learned about proper waste disposal from a singing battery? Well, when that singing battery is as awesome as Battery Newman, the star of the fun music video ‘Turn Me In’, you can learn a great a deal. Battery Newman sings in the style of another famous Newman – Randy Newman. His catchy song points out the importance of taking batteries and other household hazardous waste and electronics to an Eco Station for proper disposal or recycling.

The video is part of the City’s ‘Turn Them In’ Eco Stations campaign.  As spring has finally arrived (yay!) and Edmontonians are beginning their spring-cleaning and renovations,  this is the perfect time of year to get rid of all those waste items that are taking up room in your house or garage.  Household hazardous waste and electronics can be turned into an Eco Station for FREE! (Who doesn’t like that price?). These kinds of items include batteries, leftover paint, light bulbs, old computers, syringes and broken power tools.  Speaking of renovations, Eco Stations also accept renovation waste and bulky items too big to set out for collection (fees apply). Pop over to edmonton.ca/ecostations for a full list of items that are accepted at Eco Stations.

If you’re like me and the Battery Newman music video has inspired you to create and share your own waste reduction video (I mean how could you not be inspired by Battery Newman??)… Well you’re in luck! The 90waysto90.com site allows you to do just that! Upload your video on any waste reduction tip (reuse ideas perhaps?) to help Edmonton achieve the goal of keeping 90 per cent of household waste out of landfills. You can then get your friends and family to like and share your video. Have fun and remember… turn in your household hazardous waste!

Fantastically Fun Reuse Costume and Art Ideas at the Calgary Comic Expo!

I had a blast last week when I went out of town to attend the 10^th anniversary Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo with a few of my friends, my second-ever Expo experience. For anyone unfamiliar with this type of event, it’s about the oddest, geekiest, most unique way to spend a weekend. Thousands of people converge on the Expo grounds over four days to mingle, shop, and interact with some of today’s hottest TV and film actors, industry leaders, and local artisans. It’s also the perfect place to show your love for your favourite characters through cosplay.

Phoenix Scroll Saw Art

Reused and repurposed items may not immediately come to mind when you think of science fiction and comic books, but there are two major ways that I saw reused items represented at this Expo. First, through the art and jewellery crafted by several of the artists. Steampunk aficionados crafted their items from things like old gears, clock hands, aviator goggles and pocket watches, to name a few.

I found art prints of animals made from twigs and leaves, mismatched strips of leather made into cool bracelets and bookmarks, and even Dungeons & Dragons dice upcycled into pendants and bracelets. My best discovery this year was an artist who transforms mundane bits of wood into jaw-dropping works of art with his two hands and a scroll saw. I almost brought home his incredibly detailed "Star Wars X-Wing v. TIE Fighter" vignette, but this elegant wolf’s head stole my heart (as shown in photo).

There was somebody in here!

The second way that items were visibly repurposed or reused at this event was through the cosplayers. At my first Expo, I had a vague notion that some might attend in costume, but I underestimated how passionate people can be. Some cosplayers come in professionally tailored costumes, but I’d say the majority of them seemed to be fashioned from everyday items that inspired individuals imagined as something more. Some of the best things I saw this year were: a Nerf gun painted bronze to be the perfect steampunk accessory; layered strings of pop can tabs made into a surprisingly convincing chainmail; corrugated plastic sheeting shaped just right to become Interstellar’s TARS robot; Queen of Hearts playing cards perfectly embellishing the collar of a Queen of Hearts gown; and a lady Captain America with the iconic shield painted onto her parasol.

I think what I enjoyed most about the Comic Expo was that there was evidence everywhere of what you can create from using your imagination. Just as the sci-fi and fantasy entertainment we celebrate wouldn't exist if someone hadn't dreamed it up, these types of repurposed works of art and cosplay would never be there for us to admire if someone didn't first study an everyday object and think, I wonder what I can do with that!

- Nichole (Volunteer)