ENVIRONMENTAL

Upcycle Your Life

By Jade Emerson

up·​cy·​cle | \ ˈəp-ˌsī-kəl \

Mother Earth has a stomachache, so people all over the world are finding creative solutions to slow the amount of trash we’ve shoved into the ground. One way to do that is upcycling, which is to repurpose old materials instead of buying new ones. Kate Middleton stunned when she wore a repurposed Alexander McQueen gown for an environmentally focused event in October 2021 as part of the dress code. Other celebrities like Angelina Jolie have done the same on red carpets. Hotel Dryce in Fort Worth furnished its stylish lobby and rooms with a few upcycled items. So we thought it was important to compile a little list of places where you can start to upcycle your life. This list is just a beginning. {Intro by the editor, Jocelyn Tatum.}

REUSED SCHOOL MATERIALS The Welman Project

The Welman Project works to provide secondhand, surplus materials to classrooms for creative reuse. This Fort Worth-based nonprofit believes that breathing new life into materials not only helps fill classrooms, but also helps keep waste out of landfills. The project was founded by two Fort Worth women, Vanessa Barker and Taylor Willis, childhood friends who combined their unique skill sets and passion for innovation to create The Welman Project in 2015. With a school ID, educators can visit The Welman Project’s location at 390 W. Vickery Blvd. to pick out free materials for their classrooms. To donate arts and crafts supplies, office supplies, containers and other surplus materials, you can make an appointment online. Visit: thewelmanproject.org.

THRIFTING FOR A CAUSE Berry Good Buys

Berry Good Buys, located at 1701 W. Berry St., is a secondhand thrift store that’s been on the Fort Worth scene since 1988. The store is owned and operated by SafeHaven, which works to provide safety to survivors of domestic violence. Not only does 100% of the profits of Berry Good Buys go to SafeHaven, but SafeHaven clients can also shop at Berry Good Buys at no cost. You can find furniture, china, silver, shoes, lamps, clothes, home decor and more for your next upcycling project. It is also a good place to donate your closet clean-out.

Photos Courtesy of Berry Good Buys

ANTIQUE HUNTING Benbrook Antique Mall

Benbrook Antique Mall is any antique hunter’s dream. Stop in at 9250 Benbrook Blvd. to find everything including vintage clothes, antique jewelry, furniture, and home goods from a variety of vendors. Whether you’re looking for practical pieces or a funky conversation starter, each item can work as either the starting point for an upcycle project or statement within itself. Benbrook Antique Mall’s vendors cater to a variety of tastes and styles from vintage oddities to uncommon treasures that will make it hard to ever leave.

FURNITURE UPCYCLE: Facebook Marketplace

Sometimes one-of-a-kind furniture pieces are not found but created. Furniture upcycling can be as simplistic or elaborate as you wish. Consider replacing the hardware to give a piece of furniture a modern update or retro spin. A coat of paint can transform a simple piece into a statement and help hide any damage from a previous life. Or opt for a classic, timeless look by sanding down the outer layer and adding a fresh coat of varnish. Upcycling furniture allows for the creation of a piece that can fit into any room, style or era or inspiration. For the best finds, check out local listings on Facebook Marketplace. Visit: facebook.com/marketplace.

Photos by Jade Emerson

FASHION FINDS FROM Studio 74 Vintage – Laura Simmons

Studio 74 just opened its first brick-and-mortar at 4908 Camp Bowie Blvd., right across the street from Kincaid’s. This store is a time capsule of lovingly and painstakingly curated vintage clothing and accessories, all sourced by Simmons herself. She specializes in unique, one-of-a-kind items from the 1950s to the 1980s for women, men and even children.

VINTAGE HOME AND CLOSET FINDS: Doc’s Records and Vintage

Rather than focusing on a particular era or decade, Doc’s Record and Vintage focuses on finding unique pieces that transcend time. A variety of vendors at Doc’s means you can find anything from antique cameras, posters, pop-culture phenomena, clothes and — of course — vinyls. Try using vinyl covers to create a statement gallery wall or adding a vintage jacket to dress up a modern outfit. Doc’s Records and Vintage at 2628 Weisenberger St. is one of the best places for eclectic finds to add a unique pop to any room or wardrobe.

ALTER CLOTHES: Pro Tailor

What’s better than buying a new outfit? Transforming something you already own into your new favorite. When it comes to curating the best closet for any occasion, fit is everything. Rather than discarding clothes that no longer fit, are in style, or need repairs, take them to Pro Tailor at 4942 Overton Ridge Blvd. for a refashion or alteration. In addition to updating items you already own, vintage or thrifted finds can also be tailored to the perfect fit or size, breathing new life into a garment.