4 Crafty Ways to Ring in Spring with Centerpieces

The weather is warming. The flowers are blooming. Spring has arrived. It’s time to spruce up your home with décor that complements the season’s bright, refreshing feeling.


The perfect way to bring in that feeling of spring is to create your own floral centerpieces, and spread them around your home. Not only are the centerpieces an attractive way to decorate or accessorize your kitchen or coffee table, they also bring that fresh, outdoor aroma and esthetic into your home.

Here are some ideas for crafty floral centerpieces that you can create on a budget this spring:

Rustic

Nothing warms up a home like rustic accent pieces for decor. Take that comfortable, inviting inspiration to create beautifully simple floral centerpieces. You can use distressed wooden boxes, old planters, garden pails, or a variety of other items to contain or replace traditional glass vases.

Fruity

If you want to try a less traditional decor craft, a great option is to use discs of sliced fruit to make the home feel sweeter. Slices of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit add a vibrant and punchy element to a traditional (or perhaps nontraditional) vase of flowers. Just line your vase or bowl with various discs of fruit to brighten up neutral white flowers and add a fun, fruity aroma to your home.

Romantic

If you’re going for decor that relaxes your energy and creates an inviting atmosphere, use candles in your floral centerpieces. Fire and flowers may not seem like they would go together, but when done correctly, they can create a unique addition to any table or counter. Arrange short-stem, trimmed flowers around the edges of a small vase or cup and add a taller candle to the center. Voila! You have a simple and beautiful centerpiece for your home.

Festive

What is one of the first things you think of when it comes to spring? Easter, or course! Easter is a wonderful opportunity to decorate your home with pastel colors that brighten up your rooms and make them feel more spacious. A small addition to your home can be just enough to make your space brighter and more welcoming. Try using pastel colored Easter candy, including Peeps, M&Ms, or jelly beans, to fill a vase of flowers. This will add more color and festivity to your centerpiece and your home.

You can create these spring centerpieces on a budget from items found at your local thrift store. If you don’t find the perfect item, break out the pastel colored paint and get crafty! Stop into ThriftWorks! to find everything you need!

Using the Concept of “Hygge” to Combat Minnesota Weather

Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is a Danish concept that has become all the rage in the U.S. in the last year.

According to The New Yorker, the Danish define the word as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Some Danish doctors even recommend “tea and hygge” as a cure for the common cold.

Many blogs and recent books have taken up the craze. One author, Louisa Thomsen Brits, describes Hygge as, “a practical way of creating sanctuary in the middle of very real life … a cure for SAD in book form.”

Minnesotans are all-too familiar with seasonal affective disorder (or SAD) which seems to hit us harder towards the end of winter. Hygge is often imagined as a combatant to a raging snowstorm; a way to hunker down indoors with your loved ones, cozy, dry, and comfortable while the weather whips and whirls outdoors. As we begin to drift from the frigid months of January and February to the chilly-wet month of March, keep in mind that the idea of Hygge can be used to combat sloppy spring days as well.

How To Promote Hygge in Your Home

Gather These Items:

• Candles
• Cozy blankets
• A few good books
• Fuzzy slippers
• Hot drinks and pastries
• Big scarves
• Comfortable clothes
• Friends and loved ones

Hyggehouse.com defines Hygge as a feeling, not a task. A moment that is “cozy, charming, or special.” It’s about creating an atmosphere that is intimate and comfortable and sharing it with friends.

This is where many Americans misunderstand the concept. Celebrating the idea of Hygge doesn’t involve becoming a hermit and never leaving the house. Scandinavians put tremendus value on staying active all year round. The winters of the famously frigid area teach that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Hygge is not binge-watching Netflix in your favorite slippers. It’s not staying indoors all day in your pajamas. Although you can Hygge alone from time to time, it is meant to be shared with loved ones and celebrated as a way to stay connected even in the dreariest times of the season.

Celebrating Hygge means making your home more inviting and comfortable. Add a few cozy blankets or oversized pillows. Light a few candles. Invite some friends over to chat, enjoy a hot beverage, and relax. Hygge is a feeling of warmth and welcome more than an act. A few small changes to your living space may help you get into the idea, but executing it is all up to you.

To help make your home more Hygge-friendly, check ThriftWorks! in Waite Park for supplies; you never know what you’ll find!

How Do Your Donations Help WACOSA?

When you donate to any non-profit, you can be sure that you are helping make a difference. With WACOSA, there is no exception to that rule. In 2015 we served over 600 individuals, steadily growing from the year before. With over 50 total community crews we were able to serve the community even more than the previous year. Our success doesn’t stop there. We were able to add an additional four community crews last year, a 33% growth from the year before!

Our mission is to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to work and live in their community. None of this would be possible without our generous donors. Here are a few ways your contributions can help to make a difference this year.

$50 Donation:

• One weighted lap pad to meet client’s individual sensory needs

$90 Donation:

• One chair for the WACOSA Senior Program at the Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud

$125 Donation:

• One washable weighted blanket to meet various individual sensory needs

$600 Donation:

• One iPad for clients to use for activities including researching information on the Internet, playing group interactive games and watching informational videos

It’s more than just our employees that contribute to our success, YOU help us immensely year-after-year. We had almost 150 volunteers last year who clocked approximately 3,639 volunteer hours. Although this is a great start, we dropped 42% for our total number of volunteers from 2014. Our mission for 2016 was to continue to grow our group of volunteers and with your help, we can do just that. Our volunteer positions range from activities assistants all the way to musicians. There is truly a place for everyone at WACOSA! If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with us, you can find more information on our website here.

You can help make a difference this year by making a donation or volunteering, and there are many different ways to give. Help us grow ever stronger in 2017 by working alongside other community members to break down stereotypes and build up members of the community that are living with a disability.

Breathing New Life Into Printed Artwork: A DIY Success Story

DIY: it’s been a popular abbreviation among thrifty crafters for quite some time. In our past blogs, we’ve given you more than a few different ideas for Do-It-Yourself projects you can create using objects from ThriftWorks!, like picture frames, silverware, even wedding decorations! This time around, let’s focus on a DIY success story.

Meet Meiko. This fuzzy feline belongs to Amy Jo Paul of St. Cloud. Her one-of-a-kind portrait (hanging on the wall) came from an upcycled thrift store print. The story of this unique work of art is just about as interesting as the painting itself.

“It’s something [my boyfriend] Chris came up with,” says Amy. “He saw it and realized it looked similar to my cat. He gave it to me for Christmas with the idea that I could paint the cat in the picture to look like Meiko! I think he secretly believes I’m a crazy cat lady.”

This painting is just one example of how to reinvent mass-produced prints. “Art in your home is so personal,” says Paul. Some may see it as taboo to paint over someone else’s art, but mass-produced art is a common occurrence in many stores and thrift shops. Reinventing them - as in Meiko’s case - is just one way you can take a thrifted object and make it your own.

In this painting, Amy explains, “I approached it by taking colors from another painting I have in my house and incorporated those colors into the painting. I made the wallpaper a mint-green color, brightened up the flowers with tints of red and yellow, and changed elements of the shelf to match my other decor.”

To make the white cat in the painting look more like Meiko, Amy blended shades of gray with the existing white, then changed her eye color. “It only took about an hour to complete,” she says.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve done something like this,” says Amy. “I’ve used lots of different approaches. I’ve used a gel medium to create more texture on some art prints.”

Depending on your goal, this can be a good method to match your decor items and add an element to the print that makes it a personal work of art.

TIP: Amy used acrylic paint on this painting, which can be found nearly anywhere; craft stores,  

big chain stores like Wal-Mart and Target - even the occasional thrift store (hint, hint).

Hopefully, Amy’s (and Meiko’s) one-of-a-kind picture has inspired you to create your own personal portrait. Stop by ThriftWorks! and see what you can find - you’ll never know what will inspire you!

Creative Ways to Repurpose Picture Frames

Repurposed picture frames can make for some pretty awesome DIY items and projects. Frames come in different shapes, sizes, and colors to mix and match any potential idea. Many vintage frames have unique textures and carvings on them, which make great decorative pieces that cannot be replicated in any store or found in someone else's decor, making them perfect for a one-of-a-kind piece. Here are 4 creative and inspiring ways you can repurpose a thrifted picture frame!

Frame & Wire Reminder Board

Try this awesome DIY frame and wire reminder board. It is great for hanging inspirational sayings, photos or Post-it reminders on. All you will need is some old picture frames, clothespins, thumbtacks, and wire! You can use individual strands of wire threaded in a pattern (shown in the image) or attach chicken wire to the back of the frame. View the full tutorial here.

Outdoor Decoration

Frames make great outdoor decorative pieces too. Check out this cool tutorial from Better Homes and Gardens about creating a living succulent picture. You can also choose to hang empty frames in trees in your yard; paint them decorative colors or hang around bird feeders for added flair to your yard!

Pincushions

These DIY pincushions are adorable, and would make an awesome addition to your sewing kit! They are easy to make: all you need is a frame, some batting, and a piece of cloth. Keep them in your kit for easy accessibility, or hang them on the wall near your crafting table.

Chalkboard Serving Tray

This serving tray made out of a picture frame from My So Called Green Life would make a great addition to any kitchen. It has a clean, classic look to it, and you can write the name of the dish (or any personalized message) near the food on the board! This would be a great gift for a family member or addition to a surprise breakfast in bed.

As you can see, there are lots of cool things you can do with picture frames, so give some of these tutorials a try! Stop into ThriftWorks! and pick up some vintage picture frames. We have a large selection to choose from that is constantly changing!

Upcycle Your Wedding to Downsize Your Expenses

For many people, the prospect of getting married is thrilling and adventurous. Spending the rest of your life with the person of your dreams should be a fulfilling occasion. All too often, however, it is also a rather expensive occasion and more and more people have looked to DIY ideas to inspire their wedding decor. Check out a few of our ideas for DIY wedding bliss:

Silverware:

Silverware has become a trend among DIYers; It can be used in a wedding to make a variety of different decorations, including napkin rings or placecard holders, that are sure to be a hit at your wedding. See our silverware upcycle blog for more inspiration

Glassware:

Upcycled glassware is a great way to decorate your wedding on a budget. Try your creativity by assembling different styles and heights of clear glassware, or shades that match your theme. (Hint: with a sharpie and a few minutes in the oven, you can also  personalize your own glassware.) Can’t find the perfect color? You can always paint them to match, add glitter or ribbons, and add candles and other decorations to the mix. Try turning a wine glass or goblet upside down, placing a candle and the top, and a flower under the glass for a unique look.

Mason Jars:

While technically glassware, mason jars have decorating power of their own. There are endless possibilities to decorate with these trendy vessels. Try adding candles, painting a portion of them to match your theme, or adding ribbon or burlap for a rustic feel.  Our favorite mason jar decor idea is adding a flower, filling them with water, and topping off the jar with a floating candle. Have a summer theme? Try adding parts of fishing nets, twine and seashells, sand or rocks to your mason jars for a beautiful centerpiece.

Picture frames:

Empty picture frames make a great backdrop or photo booth on a budget. Instead of looking for a matching set, look for textures and appropriate sizes, and spray paint them to match your wedding theme. You can also build a display of engagement photos with different frames around the cake, or your card box. Having an outdoor wedding? Hang painted frames from trees and add flowers or other decorations in them for a unique look.

Books:

No, they’re not for your guests to read when they get bored, they’re decorative! Strategically folding book pages allows you to make a beautiful decoration that is sure to be memorable. From an elaborate sculpture, to just a simple letter or word, there are many possibilities to decorate with used books. One idea is to make your wedding table numbers from hardcover books.

There are plenty of possibilities for decor in a thrift store. You don’t have to bank on finding a special piece, like an antique bird cage to use for your wedding, just find some inspiration and have your wedding become upcycled and low-budget!

Silverware: It's Not Just for Mealtime

When you think of silverware, you traditionally see it as a tool used to cut, lift, sip and eat your food. Well, think again! As it turns out silverware has many other uses. You can make jewelry, towel holders, yard ornaments and more! Silverware makes for a great crafting project because of its stability and bendability. Here are some fantastic ways on how to turn your old silverware into a awe-inspiring piece of artwork:

Silverware Stamping

Did you know that you could stamp silverware? Stamping silverware is a really great way to engrave little sayings into vintage spoons. When finished stamping, the spoons can be bended and made into custom key chains- just be sure you chose real silver, because stainless steel cutlery is too hard and will not give way to the letter stamps.

Custom Jewelry

Remember back in grade school, when you got to make your own custom jewelry out of plastic beads and rope? With a few cutlery materials, (and perhaps the help of Pinterest) take custom jewelry making to a whole other level. Rings, bangles and other silverware inspired jewelry look cute hanging in the shop window, but why pay inflated prices when you can make your own?

Wind Chimes

Another popular cutlery craft is wind chimes. This craft has nearly endless variations; you can add beading, use an old tea pot or other silver object to hang the silverware from, engrave the silverware before hanging them, or bend and shape your silverware before hanging them- let your imagination run free!

There are many, many more DIY creation options (like a vintage spoon ring) for you to try out.  Be sure to stop into ThriftWorks! and we will help you find the perfect materials for your next DIY adventure.