Upcycling Unlocked: Discovering the Hidden Gems in Discarded Goods
Have you ever walked through a thrift store or junkyard, your eyes scanning the disarray of castoff items, and felt a spark of inspiration? That’s exactly what happened to Kurt Gisclair and Matt Vaughn, two passionate advocates for sustainable living.
“Don’t get a photo of the band aid on my fingers,” Kurt laughed as he and Matt worked to carefully insert a delicate headstock inlay into a ukulele they were building. This wasn’t your average DIY project – these two were on a mission to transform discarded materials into works of art.
Kurt, the director of The RE Store in Bellingham, Washington, is no stranger to the art of upcycling. In his free time, he moonlights as a skilled luthier, crafting beautiful stringed instruments. But this ukulele project was a first for Matt, the Lead Designer of Revision Division. Together, they embarked on a journey to build not just any ukulele, but one made entirely from salvaged materials.
“In the world of craft, a luthier is held in some reverence,” Matt explained. “To build a stringed instrument, something like a guitar or violin, requires a deep knowledge of the way wood works that goes well beyond the finish carpenter, cabinet maker, or furniture builder.”
As Kurt and Matt rummaged through their tote of reclaimed materials, they revealed a treasure trove of unique woods – Sitka Spruce, Koa, Western Big Leaf Maple, Basswood, Gaboon Ebony, Paduk, African Sapele, and more. Even the quilted Maple Kurt milled from his own firewood rack found its way into the project.
To anyone else, the raw materials would seem daunting, almost terrifying in how they would need to be transformed. But for Kurt, each of these woods was an old friend, and he was about to share their secrets with Matt.
Three weeks later, they had two stunning ukuleles, each with its own captivating story hidden within the salvaged materials. “These ukuleles were built from trash. Scrap. Waste. Things that other people didn’t want,” Matt marveled. “And they’re gorgeous.”
The Power of Perception
So, what’s the real story here? Is it the ukulele’s tale, the builders’ journey, or the different species of woods they used? Perhaps it’s the story of waste itself – the choices we make when we discard items that still have life left in them.
Lisa Siedlecki and Jennifer Silbert, the founders of Rewilder, have made it their mission to challenge the way we view discarded materials. “We don’t make trash; we treasure it,” they proclaim.
Their company, Rewilder, transforms industrial waste into high-quality, eco-chic bags and accessories, saving thousands of items from landfills each year. “We are known for taking industrial materials (that most people don’t even know exist!) and transforming them into amazing bags,” Lisa and Jennifer explain.
The ukulele project and Rewilder’s story share a common thread: the power of perception. It’s all too easy to look at a broken chair or scrap lumber and see only waste. But with a shift in mindset, those same materials can become the building blocks for something extraordinary.
Unlocking Creativity and Passing on Knowledge
Beyond the physical transformation, there’s an equally important story of passion, creativity, and the passing on of knowledge. As Rick Riordan, the best-selling author behind the Percy Jackson series, says, “This is a story of passion, creativity, and passed on knowledge. The passion of using one’s own hands to create, the creativity needed to transform unwanted material into works of art, and the shared memories created when learning (or teaching) new skills.”
When Kurt taught Matt the intricacies of building a stringed instrument, he wasn’t just imparting technical expertise. He was passing on a tradition, a deeper understanding of the materials and the craft. And in the process, they created something beautiful – not just the ukuleles, but the shared experience of learning and creating together.
Embracing the Unexpected
The next time you find yourself facing a broken or discarded item, don’t write it off as trash. Instead, embrace the unexpected and consider the possibilities. At ABC Home & Renovation, we believe that every material has a story waiting to be told. Whether it’s transforming a worn-out chair into a unique piece of furniture or repurposing weathered wood into a stunning accent wall, the key is to approach each project with an open mind and a willingness to explore.
After all, the true beauty of salvaged materials lies not just in their physical form, but in the stories they have to share. So why not let them speak, and see where their tales take you?
