Once recycling started becoming more of a norm, upcycling was invented. Today, it is still a common practice of recycling old items that would have just been thrown away to the dumpster, but it’s still not as common as it could be.
By Nicole Weber
Wouldn’t it be nice to be surrounded by furniture that you have made yourself? Upcycling allows you to do so. But that’s a little advanced… Let’s start from the basics.
On the 14th of April, Crisis, the charity shop that aims to stop homelessness, held an upcycling event in their Finsbury Park location. The event was a talk and workshop called “Get Your Jewellery Upcycled”.
Surrounded by the best collection of second-hand clothing and fresh vegan cakes, Louise Kane, a sustainable jeweller hosted the class on upcycling accessories. Kane has a Jewellery Upcycling Service called rejewelcollective which she started because she noticed people wearing broken pieces of jewellery. Reminiscent of childhood art lessons when making accessories out of macaroni, upcycling lets you use your creativity while reusing everyday items you might have thrown away.
Image: Pixabay
Some people have already mastered the art of upcycling, even making it something they do as a living. After moving to London over 10 years ago, Carlie Line, 34, had to furnishing the new space she calls home. The issue was she could not find pieces that she loved enough to buy, so she started upcycling old furniture and turning it into pieces that she’d love to see every day.
She continues to upcycle and posts her work on her website, “I love the accomplishment once you have finished and to see the piece in its new environment,” she said. Upcycling is a personal project; it makes you appreciate things more rather than buying products that everyone might have, she added.
Instagram: @Readorn.london
Upcycling can start from small projects like accessories and turning old items into artworks but they can also be big projects like turning old pieces or wooden materials into new beds or tables.
Old furniture made of wood is the best piece to upcycle, because of its durability and ease to work with. If creativity is not your strong suit, don’t be threatened by upcycling, Line advises to always give it a try. The great thing about upcycling is that “if you don’t like it, then you can always paint over it or start new”, says Line.
Many events like the jewellery upcycling event in Crisis Finsbury Park are available around London. Beginner’s upcycling classes happen around the city every month, so there are many opportunities to start creating items from old pieces lying around your home.
