While there is a technical difference between up-cycling and recycling, let's just say this post is about making beautiful things out of stuff that already exists.   

Upcycling v Recycling

Up-cycling is not just a hipster way of saying recycling. There is a difference and it centers around either prolonging a life cycle or moving something back up the supply chain, creating more value than the original object. A key feature of up-cycling is there is no downgrade of the original product, value is increased and less energy consumed in the process.   

Recycling on the other hand, involves taking an object and re directing it to an application which benefits society, usually with a downgrading of the original quality. Turning plastic bottles back into more plastic is seen as recycling. Plastic used for food storage is not recycled into the same type of plastic. The structure of  plastic degrades with use and wear, altering it's chemical composition. Each time plastic is recycled, the quality is inferior to before and the use must change.  

It can get confusing as some people view recycling aluminium cans as technically up-cyling. This is because during the recycling process the aluminium quality is not compromised and the amount of energy used is fairly low. And this process can can be repeated in perpetuity.   

Beautiful things from trash

 To be honest after reading extensively on this issue – I still think there is a cross over between the two. 

 
A few years ago, I opened a Recycled Gallery Shop, in Queensland Australia. I feature work from local artists that are predominately made from existing resources, things most people would view as trash.  I am a maker myself, preferring to work with textiles, leather and wood.  I see some amazing innovative creations come through my doors.   

* Tea-cup pin cushions by Anna Made. 

So today I want to share with you a collection of some of my favourite re-purposed products that have been through my shop.  I will leave it up to you to decide if this is up-cycling or recycling (feel free to weigh into the debate). Or just be inspired by the colours and sweet clever designs. 

Either way, something beautiful is made that is going on to have a new life. Something destined for the bin, has been salvaged and transformed. I find it inspirational,  and I hope you do too.   

Denim Jeans

* Footstool and Mary Poppins bag, made from old ripped jeans by Isabella

* Desert Nomad Bag, made from old ripped jeans by Isabella. 

* Crocheted jacket made from shredded denim jeans by Autumn and denim jeans bag by Heidi Creations.

Glass Jars

* Snow globes in old glass jars - a Bridget Bunchy School Holiday workshop. 

 * Mini preserving jar vases, wrapped in reclaimed leather by Isabella

* Sunshine Vase - Large preserving  jar  wrapped in reclaimed vintage textiles by Isabella

* Glass bead bracelet by Nix Designs. Made by reslumping broken glass vases and fashioning the glass into beads. Note the use of little gold nuts and bolts between the beads. 

Leather

 * Leather hand bags by Treasure By Louisa. Made from repurposing ripped and worn leather jackets. Each bag came with a photo of the original jacket - cool hey! 

 * Leather jewellery by Isabella. Made from broken vintage leather satchels. 

* Leather cuffs by Treasure By Louisa. Made by repurposing broken leather belts. 

* Leather zip purse and keyring by Treasure By Louisa. Made using the off-cuts from repurposing worn and ripped leather jackets. 

Pallets

* L-Shaped Lounge made by Gary using reclaimed timber pallets. This couch is in my herbal tea lounge. I love it! 

* Adirondack chairs by Once Upon A Pallet, made using reclaimed timber pallets. We bought a set of these for our backyard. So comfy! 

Cutlery 

* Cutlery Jewellery by Nix Designs made using repurposed spoons and forks. According to the artist, the trick is to find cutlery that has the stamp EPNS on the back, this is a softer metal than stainless steel and easier to work with. 

* Bend spoon bag/coat rack by Isabella made using repurposed skirting boards and spoons. I did not know this trick about EPNS, so we burnt out a few drill bits making this. 

T-shirts

* T-shirt Necklace by Isabella, made by cutting old t-shirts and stretching the pieces into pliable yarn. This works best when you have a seamless t-shirt. 

* Twisted T-shirt by Autumn. Made by strategically cutting and weaving old t-shirts. 

Horse Shoes

 * Coffee Table by Annabelle Wilson Designs. Made using reclaimed timber and using horse shoe welded together for the legs. 

Barbed Wire 

 * Barbed Wire balls, heart wreath and hanging basket by Mathew. Made by manipulating old rusty barbed wire. This takes skill and strength!

Wool Blankets, Jumpers & Linen

* Bags by Felt Pieces. Made by hand dying, cutting and stitching old vintage wool blankets. 

* Mad Hatter set - mitts and top hat by Autumn. Made by felting (she used water and a clothes dryer) and shaping an old pure wool jumper. 

* Fabric button earrings by Isabella, made using vintage embroidered linen such as tablecloths and napkins. These pieces of table linen had large age stains so I was able to re-purpose these small pieces. 

Coins & Buttons

* Coin earrings by Nix Designs, made using the now obselete Australian one cent coin. 

* Button necklaces by ImagineArtie. Made using a mix of old buttons and wire. The wooden hanger is also made by the same artist and is crafted from a piece of old skirting board and vintage wooden spools. 

* Button earrings by Nix Designs, made from military buttons salvaged from an old worn coat. 

Bottle Caps & Cream Bottles

* Crocheted money boxes by Chris, made by covering empty plastic cream bottles. Crocheted hot pot stand, by Beveley, made by covering metal bottle caps. 

* Bangles by Debbies Heart, made by covering cut up aluminium drink cans with fabric and layers of paint and beads. 

Doors & Drawers

* Door table by Isabella. These are the BEST workshop tables, solid and very stain resistant. 

* Display shadow box by Isabella, made using old drawers from a broken cupboard. 

Little Things

* Necklace by Isabella, featuring a wooden serviette ring that had lost the rest of the set. 

* Notepads by Anna Made, made using the covers from Little Golden Books. 

* Brooch by Anna Made, made using small leftovers of Ric Rac. 

There is so many incredible ideas out there for re-purposing things. Even though these are only small actions of salvaging, it can make a difference to our environment. As a society, we throw too much stuff away and consume new things too fast. 

Until next time, make do and mend. 

xx Isabella