Recently we were lucky enough to interview Kim from Trashy Crafter!
Kim shares her wonderful recycled and repurposed creations on the Trashy Crafter blog, from funny and inspiring art pieces to crafts that are perfect for seasonal holidays. You can also find her brilliant handmade bead jewellery - crafted from old, rescued books!
We asked about her inspirations, favourite projects and what big plans she has for the future...
When and how did you first get into crafting?
I first got into crafting when I was a little girl. My sister and I were allowed to craft once our homework was done after school each day at my Grandmas house. It just came very natural to me, creating things has always been in my blood. I actually have always been into recycled crafts, my Grandma would save toilet paper rolls, old baby food jars etc. and we would turn them into creations.What’s the biggest project that you’ve ever created?
It’s actually on going. I love working on decorating my home with items found in the alleys and dumpsters. I would say about 70% of the furniture in my home came from the trash and it was repainted, decopaged or touched up in some way. It’s fun to recreate my apartment with unique one of a kind style.Where do you get your inspiration from and do you ever hit a creative block?
When I get stuck and can’t get ideas I love to go to the local thrift store, antique store or go out on a nature walk. I get inspired by the colors, textures and patterns around me everywhere.What is your favourite piece that you've created?
My all time favourite piece is actually my coffee table, my parents found it on craiglist and knew it was totally my style. It is plain wood, but those of you who know me, know I can’t have something plain lol. I took the table and placed old novel pages all over the top, and then cut out colourful washi paper circles… it turned out so beautiful, so many people want to buy it, but I’m never going to sell it, I love it so much! So much so that I have colourful pillows near it to match haha.If you could give people who are just starting out with crafting one piece of advice, what would it be?
Crafting is just like everything else in life, at first you will suck at it, you may be horrible at certain things, but if you are dedicated and keep on learning, you will develop your stills, don’t give up, do what you love and have passion, most of all do what comes natural do you, don’t force things.What has been your best ‘trash’ find that you’ve been able to turn into art?
My favourite was an old baby bed spring…. I turned it into a memo board in my room and just love it, it’s the perfect size and is light weight too!Are there any other crafters, upcyclers or recycled artists that you really like?
I really like Amy of Mod Podge Rocks Blog and also like Katwise, she takes old sweaters and turns them into beautiful patchwork jackets. I look up to both of them as role models.Do you have any exciting projects or events coming up?
I am really excited to start working on a craft book, I have always wanted to write one, and I am currently working on putting my first one together to help folks get their creativeness on with recycled crafts.Finally, we love the inspirational and fun quotes you use on some of your pieces, what is your favourite one?
Well, I have both funny quotes and inspirational ones, so I find it only fair to do one of each. The funny one was a magnet I made from old encyclopaedia book pages, it has a praying mantis by a rock, and I put “darling when shall you join me in bed?” you know… the females eat the male after they mate lol! But my all time favourite inspirational quote is “Be The Change You Wish To See In The World”. It’s so true, don’t sit around and judge the world, be the change to inspire others and give hope to all that hard work and consistency can pay off and make big picture change.