April Class Review

Class: Renew, Reuse, Recycle

For years I’ve called this class, a favorite of mine, trash to treasure (not my originality, but I thank whoever came up with it). This year we re-titled it, in keeping with ‘green’ thinking, however the practice is still the same. Our Mom was a master of it, as she worked to stretch the dollars. I don’t think there was a bone in her body that wasn’t creative and she always had a project going we could share. At the store we call my sister Liz the queen of recycling – we save everything for her (right down to the plastic pans the hot glue comes in for paint pans), which she then turns into something wonderful for ‘her’ kids at SERF. So, I guess you might say “it runs in the family”.

There are so many ways we can renew, reuse, recycle; from how we mix up our accessories and repaint furniture, to creating treasure from ‘trash’ – it is mostly about how we perceive something and finding a new way to appreciate it. Unless something is broken beyond recognition, I can usually come up with some wild idea for it. Unfortunately, we have too many catastrophes around the store and there is an ample supply of ‘trash’. We will add more treasure ideas as the 'trash' avails itself, so check in now and then for new ideas.


	Cloche With Shells The foot was broken off of this large trumpet-shaped vase. Turned upside down it makes a perfect cloche. Glue a few shells, pods, glass marbles or other decoration on with silicone to cover the hole in the top .

Loaf Pan with Shells
Follow the instructions for the capiz shell project, substituting other types of shells as the ‘containers’ for the tea lights.

Hydrangeas in Glass Bowl:
Using any shallow glass bowl, put a layer of glass, marbles, pebbles, or sand in the bottom. We used recycled glass from a window that was vandalized on our van (there is a silver lining to everything!). Tempered glass is beautiful, safe to handle and free. Using flower parts, choose a pleasing color harmony and start piling them up in the bowl. Hydrangeas are one of the easiest to use. Mound them into a rounded ‘hill’ and let a few wispy pieces stick out here and there.


		Pig and Shovel The wonderful rusted shovel head came out of the bottom of Shasta Lake, and was the inspiration for the design. It is attached with wire to a large grapevine wreath. A well-used basket was attached next and foam glued into it. A combination of artificial veggies completes the design. Pigetha was added for a bit of whimsy.

	Milk jugs in carrier: Any bottles with a restricted neck or mouth, especially if they are somewhat cylindrical, make good vases. The materials will stand up and remain in position as soon as the opening is filled. They require fewer materials which makes the design easier to create. Some of my favorite recyclable bottles are liquor and wine bottles because they come in beautiful colors and shapes.


	Loaf Pan with Capiz Fill a loaf pan with beach sand. Alternate capiz shells with glass tea light holders. Wiggle them into the sand until they stand up. The capiz (as most shells) are somewhat translucent and the glow from the candles, light them beautifully.

Terracotta Pyramid
Although these pots aren’t old, using odds from the garden shed would be fabulous. Stack a group of pots and saucers into a pyramid shape. Once you have a pleasing configuration glue the center ones together with silicone.

Plant the small ones with live or artificial succulents, or other small plants. For a dressier look, use mixed glass or china.

Bird in Compote:
This beautiful glass compote came in with a huge crack down one side. Following the instructions on the package, randomly cover parts of the glass with gold foil. The foil will cover up the crack and add an elegant look to the container. The design is simple. Fill the vase with a mix of pods and cones. Choose a nest that fits the mouth of the vase and set it on top. Hot glue a few pieces of foliage, cones and greens to the nest and place your favorite bird.


		Magnolia on Candlestick Before the glass was broken, this was a hurricane candle holder. This design is also a good way to reuse a pillar holder. Glue a piece of arranging foam on the top of the stand. Glue a plastic pillar holder onto the foam. Loosely cover the foam with Spanish moss. Add the candle and then create an arrangement around it. A candle ring can be used in place of the arrangement. For a softer, feminine feel add ribbons hanging down.

	Double Vase with Abacca & Summer Flowers: If you have given away all those glass vases fresh flowers come in, you may need to make a trip to the local hospice store. Choose a cylinder vase large enough to hold a pillar candle with a bit of ‘breathing room’ (candles burn very hot and can heat the glass to the point of breaking if the heat can’t escape properly). Wrap the cylinder with abacca ribbon or other loosely woven fabric - something open enough to allow the candlelight to show. Place this in another glass vase. Tie a bow of raffia around the narrow part of the outside vase, and hot glue some flowers to the bow. If it is being used as a centerpiece, place and decorate a bow on either side. Add a candle - any size pillar that fits, ball or even a tea light. The candle will burn safely and winds won’t ‘blow it out’ if used outdoors. Check out our web article regarding how to burn candles correctly.