The View SS14

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Kouture The world has went upcycling crazy!

“Up cycling; The process of converting old or discarded materials into something useful and often beautiful” little definition for those of you that haven't tapped into this thrifty, eco trend. Ever increasing in popularity amongst those of us who dare to get creative and are interested in a greener way of recycling. The growing popularity of Pinterest where masters of the upcycling movement show their best pieces, where a true source of inspiration can be found. Charity shops have seen a surge of upcycling enthusiasts scouring every corner of stores to uncover any potential gems that can be given the revived treatment. The repurposing of items leading to clever reinvention of furniture, jewellery, light fittings to clever storage solutions is really where it’s at for those alittle craft handy amongst us. Upcycling however is not a new concept. Some of the best examples of modern-day upcycling come from the 1930s-40s when families had very little economic or material resources. In this age of thrift, they reused almost everything, repurposing items over and over until they were no longer useful: feed sacks became dresses or old doors became the new dining room table. What’s old is new again, but with a twist. Thrift is still a trend today and a big reason some people upcycle. Others enjoy the artistic aesthetic, with lots of upcycled items rivalling those found in high-end department stores. One of the biggest

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reasons for the rebirth of upcycling is the positive impact on the environment. Items destined for the dump are rescued and can be remade into something useful. Also, upcycling is a way of life for people in developing countries. Raw materials are expensive so people use what they can to create bowls, baskets and jewellery. Getting started is easy… There are two ways to support the upcycling movement. Sort through your wardrobe or recycling bin and create items yourself or purchase readymade items from upcycled materials. Both make a positive impact on the environment, both rewarding you with something beautiful and useful. There is no set rules for upcycling, just get creative and repurpose!

Old Chest of Drawers Funky Chest of Drawers


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