Thursday

How to repurpose without creating unnecessary clutter.




As consumers, we wind up with lots of bottles, boxes and other typically discarded items. It's hard to save EVERYTHING to repurpose without creating unnecessary clutter OR fire hazards in our homes though. Contrary to popular belief *winks*, I do not "save" everything....*LOL* Here are 3 ways to help you repurpose without creating unnecessary clutter. :)

*New* This was a project I did over the weekend. :)

1. Bring home LESS stuff.

Be practical in your stuff selection. Unless you have unlimited space and time, it's hard to achieve zero waste. I try not to bring home unnecessary boxes. I like to upcycle things that I can stack like tins and boxes. Or small bits that I can slip into little projects. Or something I want to work on immediately. After a while, you will be able to pinpoint the stuff that works well for you and do your part for Mother Earth. I am very selective about the stuff I bring home. 

How to turn a board book into a frame.



2. Organize your stuff.

I have a dedicated storage space for things I intend to upcycle/repurpose [aka keep-it-for-rainy-day stash]. Because the space is limited, I have to edit [read: use] constantly.
3. Set a deadline for using [oversized] stuff.

The recycling truck comes by every fortnight. If I can't get started on a project, I put it in the recycling bin. Having oversized stuff around for too long overwhelms me and affects my chi. If I can make it a temporary storage unit or have thrown some paint on it, it gets to stay for a bit longer. :) [Okay sometimes I conveniently "forget" the pick-up date to sneakily buy myself more time...separation anxiety *LOL*]

There you have it. 3 ways you can repurpose without creating unnecessary clutter. What other ideas do you have?


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23 comments:

Katy said...

This is a great post! I just went through some of my stuff today. I just can't keep it all but that's ok. I love the glitter castle! And the frame too! :)

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

hehehehehe... we are soooooooo much alike!!! I have a dedicated spot for my re-usables too!!!! Loveeeeeeeeee this post!!!!

Karen B. said...

What a cool post, good tips on how to work with what I hoard.

Evelin said...

Great tips! :)

Unknown said...

These are beautifully made! I love the idea of upcycling :)

Rose said...

awesome tips :)
i LOVE the book to frame!!!

*i am a bad girl as i don't upcycle very often. just can't "see" new things in stuff.

misty said...

You are amazing! I would have never considered altering the plastic castle...Brilliant!

gracescraps@gmail.com said...

Such great ideas!! All these projects are fab, but the castle is really amazing!! ~ Blessings

http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/

ANUPAMA CHOUDARY said...

Amazing ideas! My chi gets affected too when there is too much of clutter around. I sometimes upcycle old toys, tins, etc. to create table centerpieces for my kids' birthday parties :)
TFS your tips.

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

You are an amazing artist!!!!!

Hussena said...

Such awesome tips yvonne ...really like all your upcycled projects.. you take something so simple like a tin box and convert it to a beautiful creation...you always have such clever ideas!!!i am so impressed!!

Jessi Fogan said...

I can't wait to check out those 2 older posts - the castle? I swear my kids have an old one I could steal. And I KNOW we have board books!

As for ideas to not overwhelm...I am bad for that. The recent plumbing issues aside, lol, we do have plenty of space in the basement for my "crap," as my husband calls it. I don't tend to alter lots of stuff, so maybe my best idea is to be really honest with yourself about what you intend to use. Just because it's cool & you COULD do it, will you? And if not, send it out.

Lalo said...

MORE great tips and I love um all!!!

Unknown said...

Just look at all those wonderful project. I tend to collect way to much and not use it.. But I do try to purge once a year if I have not used it.. Thanks so much for you wonderful tips..

Hugs~

chillin with Quillin said...

great ideas, love your upcycle,keep up the great works !!!
Paula

TesaB said...

What a super duper great post, Yvonne!!! YAY!!! And the tin - Awesome!!!

Colleen Dietrich said...

What a wonderful post, Yvonne. :) You are a very good recycler, and so good for our Earth! I love that glittered up castle - wow!

Chunyuan said...

love this post, great tips, Yvonne. That glittered castle is gorgeous.

Cindy deRosier said...

Great tips! I also have a dedicated spot for my upcycling finds. :)

Ella Swan said...

To be honest that's why you don't see a lot of OTP stuff from me. It goes every week day with my daughter to school for recycling and I just keep a shelf full - and somehow it sits a long time as I am always conscious of how many photos I still have to scrap!

Lynnda said...

Good tips thanks... for sharing!!! Hugs...xoxo

Isha Gupta said...

Great ideas...I guess you need a vacation to Switzerland:) I see these things around me....lol

Alice said...

i adore your ability with altered projects. they all looks amazing. thanks for the tips! =)

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Thanks for visiting my blog and taking time to leave a comment. I really appreciate it. Have an awesome day!:)

Cheers, Yvonne.

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