From a young age I have always looked for useful purposes for items that were to be discarded. We live in a society that discards so many things that could be re-used if repaired or repurposed, and I've always looked for ways I could help change this. I think there were a few animals I brought home that could fit in one of those categories. I have brought home all kinds of things that I knew didn't need to be thrown away.
When recycling first became popular, I was already a good "recycler," at least I thought I was. It wasn't until I was designing a kitchen for a couple that was struggling with space, that I really started looking at recycling in a practical way. They had recycling bins all over their home. At the time recycling had to be sorted by the consumer, and seeing that many bins around their home gave me a new perspective. This prompted me to further my eco-education. I hadn't realized to what extend our waste could damage our environment. One example was that I never knew a single discarded battery could contaminate a large portion of a landfill.
As I started work on the kitchen, I saw that they had bins for not only batteries, but for plastic bags, glass, light bulbs, paper and even items that could be donated to charities. The design for the space now integrated recycling stations and provided an easy way to continue their eco-friendly ways.
This experience convinced me to expand my efforts and do everything I could to share what I learn with as many people as possible. As I started to learn more about recycling I also learned about re-purposing used items. I have always been creative and loved doing household projects... it seemed natural that I started seeing trash and waste in a new way.
I started to learn how to transform wine and liquor bottles into cheese boards, bowls, sun catchers, clocks and more. I already owned a kiln and learned how to slump bottles into many useful items. Those same bottles can be cut and used for vases or drinking glasses. Wine corks can also be used to make a variety of UpCycled items. I now have wine cork bulletin boards, Hot pads and even a 13' counter top. A raft is next on my list.
While producing these items, I discovered that some bottles don't slump well so I started getting creative again. I now transform these bottles into soap and lotion dispensers. College kids love them and what else are you going to do with an old "Patron" bottle.
One day I got a text message that mason jars were being thrown away, not recycled, but thrown away. Now glass will break down and isn't as bad for the environment as plastic, but I still hated the idea of trashing those jars. So, I made a detour and picked up 10 dozen. There were also a few other items being thrown out that I knew I could UpCycle. My first thought was that I could do some canning, my grandma would have liked that, but then I had a 3:00am light bulb idea. I could re-purpose them into solar lights. I was pretty excited about the idea, and the first model was a freestanding version that could sit on a porch, patio or table.I engineered a way to attach a light to the lid of the jar and then the fun began. I needed to determine what to put in the jar, oh the possibilities! Sand and shells, sea glass, broken bottles that have been donated to me, marbles. All things you find on the beach, a recycle bin, or laying around your house.
This experience convinced me to expand my efforts and do everything I could to share what I learn with as many people as possible. As I started to learn more about recycling I also learned about re-purposing used items. I have always been creative and loved doing household projects... it seemed natural that I started seeing trash and waste in a new way.
I started to learn how to transform wine and liquor bottles into cheese boards, bowls, sun catchers, clocks and more. I already owned a kiln and learned how to slump bottles into many useful items. Those same bottles can be cut and used for vases or drinking glasses. Wine corks can also be used to make a variety of UpCycled items. I now have wine cork bulletin boards, Hot pads and even a 13' counter top. A raft is next on my list.
While producing these items, I discovered that some bottles don't slump well so I started getting creative again. I now transform these bottles into soap and lotion dispensers. College kids love them and what else are you going to do with an old "Patron" bottle.
One day I got a text message that mason jars were being thrown away, not recycled, but thrown away. Now glass will break down and isn't as bad for the environment as plastic, but I still hated the idea of trashing those jars. So, I made a detour and picked up 10 dozen. There were also a few other items being thrown out that I knew I could UpCycle. My first thought was that I could do some canning, my grandma would have liked that, but then I had a 3:00am light bulb idea. I could re-purpose them into solar lights. I was pretty excited about the idea, and the first model was a freestanding version that could sit on a porch, patio or table.I engineered a way to attach a light to the lid of the jar and then the fun began. I needed to determine what to put in the jar, oh the possibilities! Sand and shells, sea glass, broken bottles that have been donated to me, marbles. All things you find on the beach, a recycle bin, or laying around your house.
News of my collecting spread and I started to get help in the form of donations. Bottles, jars, corks and even boxes and packing material. Why not, it is better to reuse them than to throw it all away. I am very happy and appreciate the donations I receive. As I acquire more and more items, my creative side runs a muck.
My eco-friendly products continue to sell on Amazon as well as a friends store in Cape Charles, MD. and I feel blessed that I can combine my love for helping to save the planet with a truly eco-friendly business.
My eco-friendly products continue to sell on Amazon as well as a friends store in Cape Charles, MD. and I feel blessed that I can combine my love for helping to save the planet with a truly eco-friendly business.
Bonnie,
We proudly sell our products on
We proudly sell our products on