The do’s and don’ts of upcycling to sell
1 DO COLLABORATE – other crafters in your area might have the skills that you need. Get together with friends to pool your talents and create beautiful projects.
2 DON’T HOLD BACK – get creative by exploring different materials, and don’t worry about making mistakes at first.
3 DO BE ORIGINAL – upcycling is a perfect opportunity to create something that’s totally unique, that people can’t find anywhere else.
4 DO TAKE GOOD PHOTOS – display your projects at their best to get potential buyers interested in what you’re offering.
5 DO YOUR RESEARCH – from popular styles and the prices other upcyclers are charging, to the dates and venues for local craft fairs where you can sell your projects, a little research goes a long way.
6 DON’T START HOARDING – only store materials if you have a specific project in mind for them, otherwise you’ll be swamped.
at etsy.com, gumtree.com and preloved. co.uk – all these sites are frequented by people looking to furnish their homes with items that have a bit of history and charm, so your upcycled projects will reach a wide – and eager – audience.
e right finish
While a simple lick of paint can transform a side table or old mirror into something you can sell for a profit, it’s important to put in the groundwork to ensure a quality finish. “It is a very competitive market, and you may have to spend a lot of time preparing your materials for use,” advises Rebecca. “Keep an eye out for interesting materials wherever you are – I love rusted metal and chipped wood, but also look for interesting plastics and fabrics.” New trims and handles are another quick way to upcycle a tired, disused item.
Once you’ve had a go at transforming some of your finds, you may want to develop your skills. Jenny Vaughn and Simon Young have been running their successful recycled homeware business, RE (re-foundobjects.com), for ten years and know how important skills are. “Upcycling is not just about repainting an old cupboard – it needs to be more considered and inspired,” says Jenny. “We had a lot of skills when we started out, but we also consulted the experts.” Get to know your local craft community so that you can collaborate and exchange your talents.
Get inspired
e web, as always, is one of the easiest ways to find ideas – check out blogs like upcyclethat.com for inspiration and tutorials, or search Pinterest. With so many possibilities to upcycling, it’s important to find your own style. “At RE, our most lucrative items are our refired plates and reupholstered furniture, but there’s no point doing a version of what everyone else is doing – be inventive,” says Jenny. So get up in your loft or down to your local charity shop, and rethink the way you craft and use materials. With a few essential skills and a whole load of imagination, you could be on your way to becoming an upcycling pro.