jump over to the Brazen Life blog
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow

Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

If you're joining us from Curbly, make yourself at home! This is a group where DIY Designers share ideas and network. Could your passion be a future career? We want to help you figure that out!

Fill out the form to your right, or click here, to become a member of Brazen Careerist.

2-thumb240x180_d31b69c432d56305b5668edff34362c2.jpg
+ Join Group
DIY Designers & Upcyclers

This group is for people that drag things home, fix things up, resurface furniture, re-arrange rooms, and make spaces better.

Network Leader: Caitlin McCabe
Groups > DIY Designers & Upcyclers
 
Elizabeth Marling Does anyone have advice on how to clear your mind and look at items you already own as 'clear slates' to re-purpose? I have tended to hit the thrift stores in the past, but I see how many items I already own and I want to revamp those instead. I am having a hard time looking at items I have owned for years as changeable. It looks like some people here have done this--what worked for you? Any tips?

85 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

View 2 older replies

Joe Orzechowski: I use Bee's second point as my start. Look at what you want/need then look back at what you have. Be sure to break it down to what you literally ...MoreI use Bee's second point as my start. Look at what you want/need then look back at what you have. Be sure to break it down to what you literally need. I don't need a towel bar, I need something to hold a towel in some manner. This helps you creatively solve your needs using non traditional items. The towel bar in my bathroom is a half bicycle crank welded to a chain ring and screwed to the wall
56 weeks ago
Scrollwork: I look at my own jampacked garage as a thrift store for others. What would catch their attention and sing out, "Take me home!"? I take photos of ...MoreI look at my own jampacked garage as a thrift store for others. What would catch their attention and sing out, "Take me home!"? I take photos of things in staged vignettes, and ideas usually come flooding while I'm styling the shoot as well as when I'm editing the photo. I turn things on their side or upside down, imagining what other purpose they could serve. I used to hesitate when I wanted to remake a garment into something else. That first cut was always the scariest, because it seemed like a violent destruction of something perfectly serviceable still. But now I see myself as a re-creator, and without destruction there can be no reconstruction.
52 weeks ago
 
Vanessa Gallo I recently made over my bathroom without making too many costly, dramatic changes. It went from mismatched canary blah--to--whimsical, calming, inspiring razzle dazzle. I share some finds and a couple ideas. How important is it to you, to have a space that inspires? http://bit.ly/fIyXx2

57 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

 
Elysa Rice my college (UNT) professor's wife is up for a People's Design Award for - Braille Alphabet Bracelet shar.es/0wXkL I think this is so awesome. And fun that my professor FB messaged me to tell me about it. What a cool way to raise awareness too.

69 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers, Brazen Careerists on Twitter, Young Professional Women (YPW) and Dallas Texas2 more

 
Emily Moore What are some ways that you integrate simplicity into your DIY designs?

102 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

View 3 older replies

Elizabeth Marling: I try to use objects just as they are for non-intended purposes. It simplifies things for me because I'm leaving the original object intact, just ...MoreI try to use objects just as they are for non-intended purposes. It simplifies things for me because I'm leaving the original object intact, just using it in an unexpected way. Like the shoe planters mentioned above.
82 weeks ago
Melissa Breau: @Emily - it looks like they took a heel and peeled the top off (revealing a hollow base) rather than "scooping" out the base...
82 weeks ago
 
Alison Rayner I can't claim the idea at all because I saw it at IKEA today, but I thought putting wallpaper behind open wardrobe cabinets instead of the backing was awesome.

95 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

Bee: Agreed! I love the ideas I get just walking around IKEA. Have you ever seen this blog? It rocks. MoreAgreed! I love the ideas I get just walking around IKEA. Have you ever seen this blog? It rocks. http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/
95 weeks ago
Alison Rayner: It's been so long since I'd been to ikeahacker I'd totally forgotten about its existence! Thanks!
95 weeks ago
 
John Gillmer An excellent collection of ideas for making something new out of used things. http://www.instructables.com/

104 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

 
JR Moreau Pre-fab and DIY? What do you all think of this concept?? http://www.diy-prefab.com/

105 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

 
Marian Schembari I am so totally in love with this and want to make it RIGHT NOW: http://www.readymade.com/projects/article/stacked_storage

108 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

Sarah Bush: That IS super fun--and a great example of how color unifies as well. :-)
108 weeks ago
Ryan Paugh: That is pretty awesome! Shouldn't be that difficult to make either. I've been looking for some creative ways to store things in my uber small ...MoreThat is pretty awesome! Shouldn't be that difficult to make either. I've been looking for some creative ways to store things in my uber small apartment. This gave me some ideas.
108 weeks ago
 
Vanessa Alvarado http://bit.ly/4pJrlr I'm inspired by this bookshelf made from Moving Boxes. It sounds like college-dorm chic, but this picture proves it can be a classy, cheap alternative to a traditional bookshelf.

108 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

JR Moreau: This is SO my style!
108 weeks ago
Sarah Bush: Oh neat. I think I might try this for my husband's workshop area...
108 weeks ago
 
Vanessa Alvarado http://bit.ly/4Kykwk Still Christmas Shopping? Fret-not, here's 12 Easy Last-Second crafts you can make from regular household items. There's still time!

110 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

View 6 older replies

Kanav: Well then Patrick you are in luck, you do have to go back to the drawing but not change a lot. :)
You should make use of LED lighting. LEDs have ...MoreWell then Patrick you are in luck, you do have to go back to the drawing but not change a lot. :)
You should make use of LED lighting. LEDs have superior performance and lengthy lifetime. Also the +ve advantage is these are unidirectional, voila problem solved. I love playing with lighting effect. I look forward to your comments.
110 weeks ago
Vanessa Alvarado: The attachment would make a gorgeous, sleek desk lamp.
110 weeks ago
 
Kimberly Taylor I was recently just told I should be a professional stager for real estate. I just rearranged my home, and re-purposed many items in the house. It looks great.

112 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

View 2 older replies

Vanessa Alvarado: I like the new look, more streamlined but still warm and inviting. I'm often told I should be a professional stager, too. Maybe it's time for a ...MoreI like the new look, more streamlined but still warm and inviting. I'm often told I should be a professional stager, too. Maybe it's time for a career change...
111 weeks ago
 
Vanessa Alvarado http://bit.ly/1ckT5B JR Moreau inspired me to share the secret to making "Twitter Beer Koozies" out of old sweaters. DIY & Upcycling in one.

116 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

 
Vanessa Alvarado http://twitpic.com/pza0y Behold: A somewhat ugly chair. These sit at a local thrift store at $12.99 each. I don't know the era (80s?) or value, but I'm tempted to buy and repair the set. Any rational decisions before I drop $25 on this project?

116 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

JR Moreau: I'd start looking for a disco ball and shag carpet as soon as you leave the store with these ;-)

Actually, they're a great deal. If you can ...MoreI'd start looking for a disco ball and shag carpet as soon as you leave the store with these ;-)

Actually, they're a great deal. If you can re-upholster them or something like that, they look really sturdy and well built. Go for it!
116 weeks ago
Vanessa Alvarado: I've yet to find either of those treasures. When I do, assuredly, they are coming home with me. Thanks for the DIY encouragement.
116 weeks ago
 
Vanessa Alvarado http://bit.ly/2kVfpU I'm giving away a free copy of my favorite Interior Design Book. It has hundreds of do-it-yourself ideas and inspirations. I flipped through my old copy until it fell apart! All you have to do is leave a post on the comment, I'll announce the winner on my blog this Friday. Good luck!

116 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

 
Mark W. This site (Pumpkin Gutter) offers a very complete tutorial on carving pumpkins - http://pumpkingutter.com/pumpkinblog/ & has great gallery.

119 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

 
Vanessa Alvarado I have a DIY/Thrift blog- http://thriftview.blogspot.com/ I try not to advertise it in its incomplete state, but it has a few tutorials.

119 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

shelly: Can't wait to check it out. I'm editing photos right now but will check it out later. Thanks. Love the Thrift store.
119 weeks ago
 
Ryan Paugh Does anyone here make money as an interior designer or furniture upcycler? I'd love to hear what that career is like ...

119 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

shelly: You have to think of, and implement lots of different ways to make money at it. Tough times!
119 weeks ago
 
Patrick Brennan creating a better alternative to an Ikea book case using old louvred doors, painted designs and carpenter friend that's hungry for work.

119 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

Ryan Paugh: Sounds like a killer project! Anything is a great alternative to Ikea bookshelves and other poorly made furniture items ...
119 weeks ago
Vanessa Alvarado: Agreed, avid book readers always need more bookcases! I have five in my bedroom alone and need more. Let us see how this turns out.
119 weeks ago
 
shelly Getting ready for holidays with lots of reupholstering and new pillows. I'll post the tutorials on Curbly.

119 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

 
Vanessa Alvarado http://twitpic.com/n4uil Soon to frame this card set I found for $1 at Goodwill & hang them over the bar http://twitpic.com/n4ucz Sexy!

119 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

 
adam palmer We've started doing some great things at my restaurant to upcylcle our trash into useful items - bottles, pickle buckets, cardboard.

119 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

View 1 older reply

Caitlin McCabe: What have you done with them? Are there photos anywhere?
119 weeks ago
adam palmer: planters, composters, vermiculuture containers. It's my own little personal eco-system.
119 weeks ago
 
Caitlin McCabe Hey Junk lovers - check out these Nike "Junk Dunks" http://www.boingboing.net/2009/10/22/junk-dunks-nike-airs.html How cool are those?

119 weeks ago from DIY Designers & Upcyclers

Ryan Healy: Ha, those are great.
119 weeks ago
Vanessa Alvarado: Awesome, like robot shoes. Optimus Prime approved.
119 weeks ago
More
 

Join This Network Today

Join Brazen Careerist right now and you'll automatically be added to this network.

or

By clicking "Sign Up", you are indicating that you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy