This week, the store received donations of many pretty neat items—some of our favorites are highlighted here. As you might guess, there’s no guarantee any of these materials will still be here if you come looking for them, but who knows what you might discover instead?

The adorable vintage needlepoint pictures shown above are definitely handmade and cost $3 each. Cute needlepoints like these equal instant coziness!

These “Home Handyman” books from Popular Mechanics were printed in 1961 and are priced at $2 each. Learn about everything from “fun for your Halloween party” to tuning up the heating system. These would make adorable coffee table books, or—dare we say it—excellent sources for collage images.

These bendy wood pieces are pretty crazy, and we’d be interested to know the original intended purpose for them. Since we don’t know, let’s just imagine all the fun things that could be done with them now. At just 10 cents apiece, they’re begging to be made into a wacky hanging sculpture or addition to your art car.

Apparently, there are a lot of crazy things in the SCRAP store right now, including these shiny bows. Jazz up a gift with one of these, or take a few to make a fun party hat. The possibilities are pretty endless.

These plastic salad containers are meant to store your salad, dressing, and even your fork—but there’s so much else that could be done with these. Sort and store your beads, stamps, jewelry supplies, or mix paint and keep the leftovers for later. Then you’ll just have to think of something to do with the fork!

A plexiglas sign holder with adhesive on the back makes a great way to display your art anywhere! Just slide it into the holder and stick it on.

If it turns out you do take some of these interesting items home this week, a picture of what you end up doing with them! We love to see how the materials that come through the store find their ultimate purpose out in the world.

The requirements for the Administrative Coordinator are:

• A minimum of three years administrative experience, excellent computer skills
• Experience with QuickBooks
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize
• Strong customer service skills

This 20 hour/week position will begin at the end of July. View the complete Administrative Coordinator position description.

The requirements for the Education Program Specialist are:

• A minimum of three years working with children
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and written
• Effective public speaker
• Works well with children

Desired:

• Experience working with Portland Public Schools or similarly-sized school district.

This temporary position is up to 20 hrs/week and runs from August 2013 to May 2014. View the complete Education Program Specialist position description.

If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to with the position title in the subject line. Positions open until filled. SCRAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Re:Boutique is located adjacent to the SCRAP store and is full of work by local reuse artisans: jewelry, glassware, hats, scarves, and a myriad other products made from at least 75% reused or reclaimed materials.

What inspires you to make art from reused materials?

I grew up in the middle of nowhere, with very little money, so I learned to make whatever was available work at a very young age. You should see the houses we lived in; one was made out of railroad ties and the other was two single wide trailers that my dad cut a hole in and built a leaky roof over to make a double wide. We as a nation are taught to buy when really we should be taught to make and create. We become so reliant when we don’t learn that things can be done ourselves.

How do you incorporate creative reuse in your work?

Nearly everything in my life is used. I can honestly say that everything I make is out of 100% recycled material.

Can you describe the process of creating the products you sell in the Re:Boutique and what led to the idea of creation these products?

I am currently on an animal kick. I made these little holders for the bags to clean up after your dog. The ones in the pet stores are so boring. I also made mustache dog toys, because they are funny. I also made some earrings out of leather tidbits in the shape of snakes, foxes and birds. I like to make things I would use. I also like to make things that are fun to look at.

What are the benefits and challenges you experience by working with reused materials, and how does it affect your final product?

I find more satisfaction in making something out of what seems to other people to be useless trash. I guess if I used new stuff my creations might look a little more like something you would buy in a big box store, but where is the fun in that?

Do you have any memorable stories behind your product?

My dog tries to steal the mustache toys every time I make one. It is really hard to get the squeaker in without it squeaking. It is nice to know he likes them, but impossible to explain to him that they aren’t all his.

If you could only work with one reused material for the rest of your crafting career, what would it be any why?

One of the things I love about using reclaimed material is that it makes all kinds of crafting affordable for me. I am a lover of variety. I can’t chose. That is like asking me to smell the same smell for the rest of my life. That would stink.

If you were to create a sculpture of yourself, what material would you be primarily made of?

Cheese.

What advice would you give to people who want to start making things out of reused materials?

Stop thinking and start doing. Allow yourself to make something ugly, terrible and all around bad. Then give it away, throw it away or take it apart and start again.

SCRAP is taking part in the global celebration by hosting a sale in the store and offering a free workshop with instruction and materials. You can shop at SCRAP on June 5 and receive 15% off your purchase of used materials and then, in lieu of our regular Wednesday Crafternoon, you can join us to sew scrap fabric pouches with button closures. This workshop is for ages 4 and up; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Advance registration is required and space is limited to 30 participants. Register online now! See a list of other featured WED events in Portland.

The United Nations has hosted WED since 1972, when it was established by the UN General Assembly to commemorate the opening of the 1972 Stockholm Conference. Each year, the UN works to encourage people all over the planet to take responsibility for their own environmental impact and capacity to be an agent of change. According to the City of Portland website, everyone should celebrate WED because, “When we see or experience the negative effects of climate change and environmental degradation, it is easy to blame others—governments for not prioritizing environmental policy; corporate organizations for raising greenhouse gas emissions; NGOs for not lobbying strongly enough for the environment; and individuals for not taking action.” WED is an opportunity for people all over the world to put aside their differences and recognize the strides that we have made toward protecting the environment.

This year’s theme, “Reduce Your Foodprint,” is focused on reducing food waste and food loss, and encouraging people to become more aware of their food choices that affect the environment. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted every year, and one in seven people in the world go to bed hungry each night. Read more about WED and reducing your foodprint.

All proceeds raised during this good-natured and fun competition help support SCRAP’s Ronnie Fund. The Ronnie Fund was established to provide access to art materials and reuse education to all children regardless of their economic situation. The Ronnie Fund, which was founded in honor of former SCRAP board member Ronnie Tendler Brachmann, subsidizes field trips for classrooms and individual Camp SCRAP scholarships. Through the Ronnie Fund, SCRAP has never had to deny admission to anyone because of inability to pay.

Teams will compete to earn the title of Portland’s Most Striking Bowler, Best Dressed, and Guru of the Gutter Balls, at Hollywood Bowl on April 24, 2013 at 7 pm. There will be amazing raffle prizes from local businesses and some craft activities, too. Strikes for Scholarships presents an exclusive opportunity for SCRAP shoppers, volunteers, supporters, and fans to help SCRAP continue this amazing tradition of offering scholarships through the Ronnie Fund and teaching the next generation about reuse and the creativity it inspires.

Learn more about Strikes for Scholarships and get your tickets online or in the SCRAP store now! RSVP on Facebook.

What inspires you to make art from reused materials?

It all started a couple years ago when my dog had consumed and tangled most of my yarn and stuffing for knitting. It pained me to see this unstuffed creature lying on my desk, unoccupied needles next to it. So as a creative twelve year old, I salvaged clean and used socks and clothes, cut them up and brought my creature to life. From that moment, I saw a whole new way for me to save money to create art in a way that I loved.

How do you incorporate creative reuse in your work?

I use old clean and ripped up clothes and scraps of fabric to stuff my knitted amigurimi animals. This not only helps them come to life, but also to gain a strong and firm figure.

Can you describe the process of creating the products you sell in the Re:Boutique and what led to the idea of creating these products?

I crochet and knit different amigurumi figures by the shining desk lamp in my room every night while watching episodes of The Office. I have been knitting since about the age of six or seven when my family spent a summer in a house up in Vermont where I spent days without technology, bored out of my mind. Although I love knitting now, as a teenager it’s hard to admit that my mom’s saying “boredom leads to creativity”, was in fact correct.

What are the benefits and challenges do you experience by working with reused materials, and how does it affect your final product?

Substituting unused yarn, needles, and stuffing with recycled materials has saved me a lot of money in the past, an obvious benefit. My final products have also been able to stand up on their own now with a firmer filling of used cloth. However, it is quite challenging to “unlumpify” my animals leading me to massaging them for quite a bit to reach their best shape.
Do you have any memorable or interesting stories behind your product?

All the knits that I make for my friends and family on their birthdays each have a story behind them. For example, I made my dad a couch with a vintage design on it for knowledge of his admiration on the “art of furniture”.

What advice would you give to people who want to start making things out of reused materials?

I would tell “newbies” to the art of recycled materials, to just walk around a place like SCRAP filling a shopping crate with various materials that intrigue you. Then at the end of your trip just look at them and see if you can combine one with another to create art!

What are three creative uses for a pencil you can think of (other than writing/drawing)?

• I would create a log cabin by hot gluing them together to make my dream house.
• I remember in elementary school when I found loose strands of yarn but no needles, I would pickup two sharpened pencils and knit with them, getting my fingers covered in a metallic gray led.
• Lastly, I would creatively see how many pencils I could stand up on their eraser heads and play a one-person game of bowling.

If you were to create a sculpture of yourself, what material would you be primarily made of?

If I created a self-sculpture, it would be made out of pink ribbon and used pointe shoes. Dance is an important part of me, and something that defines who I am. However, I wouldn’t use clean and shiny new pointe shoes because the dirt represents the hard work and effort I put into each choreographed move.

To help facilitate that creative process and make creative reuse more accessible, SCRAP will be hosting Wednesday Crafternoons in our new Education Annex every hump day from 3-5 pm. Drop in to use our workspace and tools for crafting by yourself, with a friend, or with a small group. (Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please also plan to purchase your materials and other tools in advance.)

We also wanted to let you know about some places that we think are great, where you can find classes and workshops to satisfy your hunger for creative how-tos. (The locations listed below have varying schedules and fees. You’ll want to check with each one for specifics.)

For a wide variety of creative projects and skills

Collage
Info: Collage is a local art and craft supply store that hosts project-based workshops throughout the week. Examples include: scrabble tile pendants, image transfer techniques, and linoleum block printmaking.
Phone: 503-249-2190
Website: http://collagepdx.blogspot.com
Area: NE & SE

Oregon College of Art and Craft
Info: OCAC’s Studio School offers in depth learning experiences to increase your knowledge or skill in a variety of crafts. They also host art lectures throughout the year.
Phone: 503-297-5544
Website: http://www.ocac.edu
Area: SW

For knitting and crocheting

Yarn Garden
Info: Yarn Garden University offers a variety of classes for every level of knitter. Learn how to make all of the latest knitted and crocheted fashions and accessories. They also host Knit Night every Tuesday and have Pub Knitting events once a month.
Phone: 503-239-7950
Website: http://yarngarden.net
Area: SE

Happy Knits
Info: Happy Knits hosts project-based workshops to help you learn technique and increase your skill level while creating gloves, scarves, or other accessories.
Phone: 503-238-2106
Website: http://happyknits.com
Area: SE

For sewing

Modern Domestic
Info: Modern Domestic is a sewing studio offering two fully equipped classrooms and knowledgeable staff. They offer sewing instruction for all levels of sewists, and host Open Sew hours and weekly Sew-cials.
Phone: 503-808-9910
Website: http://moderndomesticpdx.com
Area: NE

Montavilla Sewing Centers
Info: Montavilla Sewing Centers offer classes and Open Sewing and Quilting sessions. They also host sewing and embroidery club events throughout the year.
Phone: 503-254-7317
Website: http://www.montavillasewing.com
Area: Various

For printed media and artwork

Independent Publishing Resource Center*
Info: Offering classes in everything from letterpress and screenprinting, to calligraphy and InDesign, the IPRC is a mecca for visual and print artists of every skill level.
Phone: 503-827-0249
Website: http://www.iprc.org
Area: SE

For wood and metals

ADX*
Info: ADX is a workspace and incubator for thinkers and makers. They have fully equipped wood and metal shops, and offer intro and basic skills classes. (ADX is the site of the monthly craft night and listening party, Makin’ It with Destination DIY, that SCRAP co-hosts.)
Phone: 503–915–4342
Website: http://www.adxportland.com
Area: SE

For DIY and home repairs

The ReBuilding Center
Info: The ReBuilding Center offers reuse workshops that teach students to transform discarded building materials into new furniture, household objects, art, sculpture, and more.
Phone: 503-331-1877
Website: http://rebuildingcenter.org
Area: N

For kid-friendly

Art ala Carte*
Info: Art ala Carte PDX is an open studio for art and creation for the whole family. Restaurant salad bars have been transformed into art bars filled with seemingly endless supplies for your child’s masterpiece. Drop-in hours are available between 10 am and 5 pm, Wednesday through Fridays, and on the weekends from noon to 5 pm.
Phone: 503-750-0522
Website: www.artalacartepdx.com
Area: NE

100th Monkey Studio*
Info: 100th Monkey Studio hosts After School Art Club on Tuesdays, Messy Monkey classes on Friday mornings and Individual and Group Open Studio opportunities. They also offer special events and art parties.
Phone: (503) 232-3457
Website: www.the100thmonkeystudio.com
Area: SE

Spark Arts Center
Info: Drop-in Messy Art Studio (ages 2-5) offered Monday through Wednesday, 9 to 11 am.
Phone: 503-281-6757
Website: www.sparkartscenter.com
Area: NE

My Masterpiece Art Studio
Info: 3,000-square-feet for you to spread out and sculpt with clay, paint with acrylics on canvas, draw at a light box table, printmake, or work with paper or wood collage. Classes, camps, and Open Studio for families and friends. Arty Parties are also available for private events.
Phone: 503-453-3700
Website: www.mymasterpieceartstudio.com
Area: SW

Creative Recycling Workshops and Green Crafts
More info: Art projects for children and parents to create and explore together. Through art activity, exploration, and play, Portland native and artist, Heather Stellpflug, teaches arts and crafts using recycled and repurposed materials.
Phone: 503-285-5277
Website: www.facebook.com/CreativeRecyclingWorkshops
Area: N

*Show your SCRAP membership card at ADX, IPRC, 100th Monkey Studio, and Art ala Carte to get great discounts (more details on our website).

Do you know other great spaces and workshops in the area? Feel free to share in the comments.

Art and Inspiration
Dishfunctional Designs: “...a blog about creative ideas in crafts and upcycled innovative repurposed art.” Many of the projects featured on this blog could be easily realized through SCRAP materials.

Colassal: Focusing on “art and visual ingenuity,” Colassal is a blog that “explores art, design, and photography, with a focus on work that is non-digital in nature.” This one is great for pure inspiration. Get your brain going and then come over to SCRAP to see how you can transform your new ideas into reused realities.

RePlayGround: Claiming that “garbage has feelings too,” this blog is dedicated to using less and reusing more through both aesthetic and functional projects and current events in the reuse world. The parent website also has tutorials and kits for a variety of DIY projects.

Dollar Store Crafts: A “crafting blog with an emphasis on projects that are cheap, chic, and easy to do.” While the site is founded on the notion that the supplies can come cheaply from a dollar store, most of the materials can be found at SCRAP for similar (if not lower) prices.

Dream a Little Bigger: This blog has a wealth of ideas and tutorials for handmade crafts, fiber arts, seasonal, and kid-friendly projects. When things are handmade, it’s easy to substitute new materials with the reused version.

Crafty Pod: A local crafter and SCRAPper, Diane Gilleland, founded the Crafty Pod blog. You’ll find tutorials, podcasts, current events, and interviews with fellow crafters. This is a hub for general and local craft news.

For the Home
Design*Sponge: “Design*Sponge is a design blog run by Brooklyn-based writer, Grace Bonney. Launched in August of 2004, the site updates between 6-8 times per day and was declared a ‘Martha Stewart Living for the Millennials’ by the New York Times.” They have a great DIY page that shows tutorials that can easily be adjusted to include reused materials.

Apartment Therapy: This site’s goal is “To connect people to the resources they need to improve their homes, while reducing their reliance on stuff.” I’m sure many of you SCRAPpers out there can appreciate a goal like this. They have an abundance of DIY ideas and project for your home.

For the Kids
Filthy Wizardry: Mother of three, Lindsey, hopes that her blog helps “you find some inspiration or at least a chuckle or two from reading about our forays into messy mayhem.” This resourceful mom has lots of ideas for kid’s crafts and reused materials (i.e. old holiday cards, toilet tissue rolls) show up frequently.

The first person we met at in New Orleans was a Portland ex-patriot. On staff here, Carole Hosler said she is drawn to the dual mission of The Green Project—reuse of building materials and community rebuilding. She introduced us to the Executive Director, Phyllis Jordan. Phyllis welcomed us into her office and spoke passionately about the importance role of reuse in rebuilding New Orleans, especially post-Katrina.

The Green Project started out out as a paint recycling center and have added an impressive inventory of doors, windows, plumbing, lighting, tools and much more. In addition to receiving donations, they go out to reconstruction projects and “glean” the usable materials to redistribute to the community. Those working at The Green Project believe in promoting a culture of reuse. As a building materials haven, they are offering the community items that have “already paid the price.”

Our own Heather Bouley, SCRAP DC co-director, said, “The Green Project was my introduction to reuse. I fell in love with it there and I haven’t stopped since!”

The Green Project is an invaluable New Orleans resource for materials and inspiration for stewardship and community love.

The Re:Boutique is located adjacent to the SCRAP store and is full of work by local reuse artisans: jewelry, glassware, hats, scarves, and a myriad other products made from at least 75% reused or reclaimed materials.

What inspires you to make art from reused materials?

When I started making art I had no access to what I thought of as “real” supplies. In truth I was never really inspired specifically to make art from reused materials. I was inspired to make art, period. The fact that my materials are reused is just what happened because I was poor. Circumstances have changed over time, but as a naturally thrifty and resourceful person, I have continued to reuse and recycle as much as possible with my creations. I am concerned about the environment, and I think it’s important to reuse what already exists as much as possible and minimize my impact on the earth. 

Can you describe the process of creating the products you sell in the Re:Boutique and what led to the idea of creating these products?

Vinyl records turned out to be the perfect medium for me, as they are abundant and awesome yet sadly obsolete. Many people still collect records and listen to them, and bands put out new releases on vinyl all the time, yet there are still a whole lot of scratched, warped, outdated, dusty old records in this world that nobody really wants. People give them to me by the carload because they just can’t store them, can’t play them, and have to get rid of them. So I give them a new life.

And, of course, records are a perfect material for me because I am a mandala artist. A mandala is a circle with a pattern that radiates out from the center. Records are circles with a perfectly defined center (the spindle hole). The records themselves inspire me too, because they hold so much history, so much music, so much human thought and effort and ingenuity that went into their creation long before I ever got my hands on them! 

How do you incorporate creative reuse in your work?

Just about everything I make is made from records. I use the record sleeves and album jackets as well as the vinyl itself. I am always looking for new ways to reuse the records. Currently I have 16 different product lines made from records. You can visit the Eye Pop Art Etsy shop and Facebook page to see pictures of all my creations.

What advice would you give to people who want to start making things out of reused materials?

Go for it! There is going to be more and more demand for eco-friendly products in the near future. 

My advice is to make sure to choose a material that is abundant enough to enable you to reproduce your products for a while. This is more efficient and sustainable for a small business plan than, for example, putting many hours into sewing a one-of-a-kind handbag out of a scrap of lovely vintage fabric that you will never see again.

I also feel strongly that the more of your unique personality you can put into your work, the more success you will have. It doesn’t have to be about showing off the material - you should be showing off your design, your personal aesthetic. I guess what I am saying is that saving the planet is an added bonus, but the most important thing is that you are expressing yourself with your art, not churning out a product just for the sake of reuse. To me, the reuse aspect is secondary to the art itself.

If you could only work with one reused material for the rest of your crafting career, what would it be any why?

I would probably choose paper, because I can always draw on it.

If you were to create a sculpture of yourself, what material would you be primarily made of?

I would be made of flowers. Big, bright, fresh, psychedelic flowers.