Focus!

Like most crafters, I like to dabble in many crafts.  While photography is something I think about much of the time without any effort at all, I also like to sew, crochet, and try my hand at various things.  I also love the idea of reusing materials that are already out there, and perhaps, 'past their prime' in one way or another. 

When I worked for Mennonite Central Committee as a Thrift Shop Coordinator, I was often distressed by how much 'stuff' still makes its way to the landfills. Yes, there was a lot that was kept out of the landfills, but not everything is salable.  In my other job at MCC, as Material Resources Coordinator, we often talked about Recycling and Repurposing, and some of the larger centers had staff dedicated to Caring for Creation.  So I dreamt.  I dreamt about a larger warehouse where I could 'store' some of the rejects, and perhaps have kids come in for project days.  Kids live to make stuff with someone else's junk. 

Now, as I try to get my photography business back on track, my daughter is starting an Upcycled Kids Boutique.  (See http://www.upcycledkids.blogspot.com/ and http://www.penguinkisses.com/)  So I'm back immersed in the 'repurposing' or 'upcycling' world.  And I like that world.

So I'm trying to figure out how to fit our two worlds together.  I went to a Thrift Shop today in the hopes of finding a few frames I could reuse.  From my findings, I would think I'm the only one who has thought of this.  Or perhaps others have thought about it and rejected the idea... maybe it really isn't a good one.  In either case, I will get out the elbow grease, try a little cleaning, a little sanding, perhaps some painting or decoupage, and see what happens.  I can't resist a bargain, either, and this cost me the same as one or two brand new frames...