Can Recycling be Glamorous?

By now, we are all familiar with recycling. 

At the very least, most of us recycle our paper products, bottles and cans, satisfied that we are contributing to the betterment of our planet. Noble, but not very glamorous.

Up-cycling, the glamorous sister of recycling, is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into NEW products of better quality and value. The reclamation and improvement of items that would otherwise be on the scrap-heap, is so much more inspired and well, glamorous then just putting another used thing into the re-cycling bin. Creativity is key to adding value.

There are some very talented artists among us specializing in exactly this concept.  If you are a fan of the Nate Burkus show, you may have seen his popular guest, Mr. Goodwill Hunting.

Mr. Hunting's ability to turn trash to treasure has become big business and his blog, devoted to "helping individuals live their best life through the art of thrifting and vintage curating" (aka up-cycling), is a lesson in creativity!

Etsy.com, a community of artists, creators, collectors, thinkers and doers (who call themselves Etsians), is a great place to find all things created and re-created. The talented artisans who make up the community offer copious amounts of up-cycled products as well as beautiful handmade, homemade items that are sure to delight. 

I discovered Etys with the help of the Adele Bee Ann Blogspot, whose own Etsy shop showcases up-cycled vintage fabrics turned into stylish, washable tote bags; perfect for today's increasingly bag-less world. I encourage you to check out her Etsy shop and follow her blog.

Because I feel this fits my topic today, I'd like to talk about one other form of up-cycling, home renovation. With today's home market flooded with inventory, it can be difficult for today's buyer to find the perfect home or enjoy the one they're presently living in.

With a home renovation loan, a product available for both refinancers and new buyers, making a less then perfect house into the home of your dreams is easy and affordable, because loan amounts are based on the after-improvement value of the property, all costs associated with renovation are include in the loan. 

How do I know so much? My husband is a Wells Fargo Renovation Specialist and is the go to guy for renovation loans. Charlie is always available to answer any questions, so please visit him at wfhm.com/charles-napolitano.

As a decorator, I applaud and promote up-cycled products because it provides a unique choice among the cookie cutter offerings of the mass produced. I encourage you to try your own hand at up-cycling or patron one of the many talents on found on Etsy. Not only will you be rewarded with a glamorous one-of-a-kind item, you'll fatten your wallet and starve a landfill too!

Brought to you by Jennifer Napolitano of JNdesign
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