I enjoy challenging myself to create something where the sum is greater than the parts. Repurposing in an artful way is just that. Sometimes, it means learning new skills and techniques to synthesize the fusion of styles I’m attempting. Which is fine and dandy, since I’m an A1-certified knowledge and skill seeker. Some of my friends have even tagged me as a renaissance kind of gal. I wear that moniker proudly.

Sashiko-inspired stitching with vintage silk ties

I get a kick out of watching Youtube videos and picking up a grab bag of tips. You just never know when they might come in handy. Whether it’s perusing the stack of magazines in the dentist’s office or hair salon, or making a bee-line for the “how-to” books at the local Goodwill, I’m definitely a sponge!  

For example, in one project, I combined sashiko stitching on vintage mens’ silk ties donated from relatives to create a unique wall art. 

Creative repurposing can strike at any age

My mom always complemented me in my creative endeavors, which I’ve got to say, meant a lot to me. By age 10, I could out sew her, which wasn’t saying much since she didn’t have an affinity for it. I don’t think she ever learned to add a zipper properly, and forget the logistics of matching plaids and grains. But she loved that I was interested in creating and I think her creative soul recognized mine.

Another impetus for learning to sew back then, was that it was less expensive to make simple shift dresses and tops than to buy them ready-made. Keep in mind, this was long, long ago before today’s unsustainable industry model used by many companies to mass produce cheap fast fashion. 

To be honest, my sewn items were not construed as haute couture, but they were definitely customized, which appealed to me. I’m remembering one of my early ensembles, which was based on a Butterick pattern (yep, I searched for it the other day and found this image of it online: Butterick #6119). It was a “mod” outfit of gaucho-style culottes and tunic, and I included some fabrics my mom had laying around. I learned to macrame so I could make the accent tie belt and complete the somewhat hippie look. Necessity pushed me to raid the junk drawer for the roll of half-used hardware twine, which sloughed off its loose fibers while I knotted away.

Living an honorable green life

In college, I joined those zealous believers who discovered the thrill of pursuit at yard sales and thrift stores. Such an adventurous way to meet basic decor needs with recycled treasures on a paltry budget.

Later trends and fads legitimized my strategies to stretch my budget as bonafide methods for sprucing up wearables, and home decor and furnishings. In time, my focus narrowed to creating truly worthy and functional pieces from what I could find around me. It continues to feel like a most honorable way to live a greener life.

Recently, I repurposed a vintage leather journal, painted dozens of watercolor studies and sketches within and gave it as a wedding gift to my newly married neice and her hubby. They say they’ve even found a place to nest it among their varied art collection, which makes me smile.

Becoming a minimalist

If you’re like me, you ask yourself, which term best describes my approach to living a greener life. I like the descriptions given by the Castro Valley Sanitary District. I figure I’m a combination “repurposing minimalist” and wonder why I’ve always been this way. Perhaps it’s because as a youngster our household was bereft of all decorations and tchotchkes, except for a meager handful of handmade items made by me or my siblings. That seemed normal to me, but also a bit forlorn. Even so, there was a nice feel of minimalism.

As time passes, I lean more and more toward minimalism. I love that the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi just about covers it all for me: Wisdom in natural simplicity and appreciating flawed beauty. 

I also embrace design elements from the Danish “hygge” — the sense of coziness, and the Japanese repair practices of kintsugi, sashiko and boro to infuse my creations. 

Streamline for simplicity

I get a kick out of simplifying. I’ve been streamlining my possessions for more than 10 years, sifting through my treasures and passing them along to others who are still in the collecting phase of their lives. 

In the end, for me it’s not about filling my space with stuff, but having just enough, and much of it repurposed, to pique my sense of style or taste, while having the bare minimum of what I need. Except when it comes to art supplies!

Anyway, it’s always been a way of life for me. There’s often no need to go out and buy new stuff when there is so much around us to use in our creations. I simply don’t feel comfortable buying all new, except when it comes to underwear and bras! 

This might not be for everyone, but then again it might inspire you to think of other ways to re-use what we already have and repurpose with an aesthetic.