Craft Workshops at Life’s Treasures Make Upcycling Easy

It seems like every day do-it-yourself (DIY) projects are becoming more trendy. It might be because people are touched when they are the recipient of handmade gifts on their birthdays or around the holidays. Creativity knows no boundaries and the only limit is your imagination. Sounds like a great idea but don’t know where to begin? Thankfully Life’s Treasures Thrift Stores hold craft workshops year round to make it that much easier.

Craft Workshops at Life’s Treasures

Every month, Life’s Treasures Thrift Stores host a variety of craft workshops. Items donated to the stores are a constant and rich resource for crafty people and hobbyists searching for treasures at the Brandon, Carrollwood, New Port Richey, South Tampa and Zephryhills locations. From clothing and accessories to housewares and furniture, old items are lovingly given a new life and sometimes a new purpose.

Earlier this month, the Life’s Treasures store in New Port Richey hosted a craft workshop for anyone who wanted to learn how to transform an old picture frame with small décor items.

“Anyone can turn an old, unloved picture frame into a thing of beauty. All it takes is some scrap jewelry, bric-a-brac, beads, stones and other craft supplies you can find in ready supply at our Life’s Treasures Thrift Stores,” said Alice Walsh, director of Life’s Treasures Thrift Stores. “Decorative frames make great gifts for loved ones and friends.”

For this particular craft workshop, Life’s Treasures supplied the picture frames and decorative items for each participant. Some attendees brought their own favorite frames or decorative items.

Across the county line in Carrollwood, Life’s Treasures Thrift Store held a craft workshop in which old sweaters were upcycled into DIY throw pillows. Sweaters were conveniently provided by the store, and there were a few who came prepared with their own old sweaters to revitalize.

“Sweater pillows make great gifts for a child or teen who outgrew a favorite sweater, or anyone who cherishes clothing with great sentimental value,” continued Alice. “Turning an old sweater into a cozy throw pillow is an easy and fun DIY project. It doesn’t take a lot of time. And it can transform the look of a sofa, chair or bed.”

The above are just a sample of the types of craft workshops that Life’s Treasures offers community members. Regular crafts workshops are conducted by staff and volunteers. Attendees can learn how to repurpose items like old china, glasses and wine bottle corks to give them new life. Every month there is a new set of craft workshops so you can make something meaningful for a relative, friend or even yourself. Just go to our calendar page here to check out the latest craft workshops and sign up today.

At Chapters Health System, every day is devoted to educating our patients and keeping them in the place they call home. We are dedicated to ensuring that patients, young and old alike, and their families are able to make educated decisions about important healthcare matters. For more information, please call our helpful Chapters Health team at 1.866.204.8611 or send an email to info@chaptershealth.org. 

About Phoebe Ochman

Phoebe Ochman, Director of Corporate Communications for Chapters Health System, manages all content and communications for the not-for-profit organization.

Utensils Make a Come Back in the Garden

Ever been troubled by a mismatched set of dinnerware utensils? Or maybe you no longer have a complete set of forks, spoons and knives? Never fear because after you donated the orphan cutlery to one of the five Life’s Treasures Thrift Stores, they can find new homes and not necessarily in a kitchen drawer.

Did you know that utensils make great garden markers? And they are easy to make. In less than 20 minutes, you can have custom markers to identify an herb or a new vegetable variety growing in a container or garden bed.

Here’s what you would need to get started:

Forks, spoons or knives

White paper (computer paper works well)

#2 pencil

Scissors

Fine-tip black marker

Colored pencils

Small jar or tube of Mod Podge (acrylic sealer)

Clear varnish spray (such as Krylon Clear UV-Resistant)

Q-tips

Old newspapers

Directions:

1. Place newspaper on the surface you will be working on.
2. With a pencil, trace the outline of the area on the fork, knife or spoon that is available for the herb/vegetable identifier.
3. Cut out the label.
4. Using the fine-tip marker, write the herb/vegetable you will identify with the garden marker.
5. Decorate the label with colored pencils.
6. Place newspaper underneath your utensil.
7. Once you are satisfied with your label, position it on the fork, knife or spoon.
8. Dip a Q-tip into the Mod Podge and use it to gently coat over the label on the cutlery.
9. Wait 5 minutes for the Mod Podge to dry.
10. Take the newspaper and cutlery outside or to a well-ventilated area and spray the cutlery with the varnish.

Once dry, you are ready to use as a garden marker. Make one or many. The sky is the limit.