A what…?!
As part of my grand Make It Better…plans, I am starting up an Upcycle Exchange.
A what?
An Upcycle Exchange!
The concept originated in America, and is the brainchild of an inspirational lady called Autumn Wiggins. Autumn started up the very first Upcycle Exchange, and has a very busy and thriving store in St. Louis . There are now several stores dotted all over the USA, and plans for more, and in Canada as well. They are all run independently, but along the lines of Autumn’s original store, and I think that I am the very first UK based venture!
The easiest thing to compare it to is a Bring and Buy.
The aim is to rescue un-used, un-loved or un-wanted arts and craft supplies, and make them available to local artists and makers at affordable prices. Thus saving the materials from landfill, and providing a consistent source of supplies to those who need them.
I have amassed a large amount of craft supplies of my own, and have been given various bits and pieces along the way, so I will use these to get started, but then the idea is that people come and donate their unwanted stuff, either for credit, or just because they want to and it is a nice thing to do, and I will then sort it, and make it available to anyone who wants it at Pay-As-You-Wish prices.
As a Brit, I have to admit that I am still trying to get my head around the Pay-As-You-Wish concept, and am a little nervous about it. Autumn assures me that it works well, and the vast majority of people are happy to pay a fair price for their goods, rather than waltz off with bulging bags full after paying 10p. But I am going to have to take a deep breath and put my faith in human kind and that they will want to pay a fair price for a good service.
I have put together a Wish-list of supplies that I think people will want, and I am on the look-out for, and this will no doubt develop and change as I start to establish a rapport with local artists and makers, and work-out exactly what it is everyone wants!
The ultimate ‘dream’ would be to have an Upcycle Exchange as gorgeous and successful as Autumn’s, along with a workshop area, and run Upcycling/sewing/crafting/mending workshops, as well as a Repair cafe.
But I need a small lottery win first, and Small people to be at school to free up some time!
So in totally untypically patient baby steps style, I am starting small, with a stall at craft fairs and will test the waters this way.
I had a baby trial run at our Make It Better…sewing.crafting. mending cafe thing (still working on a catchier title)
But my first ever proper outing will be at the Bath Artisan market this weekend.
This is a fabulous market, and is held under cover all year around. Each month there is a different theme, and this month it is Make Do and Mend, so obviously I NEEDED to be there!
Catherine, who master-minds the whole thing has very kindly allowed me to have my stall there, Scrapiana will be there with a Big Mend, there will be a Swish, and free screen-printing for the kids!
If you are in the area, do come and check it out-it’s going to be awesome!!
(And bring along any unwanted craft supplied to me and my Make It Better…Upcycle Exchange :))
