In my world things need to be simple, or maybe non-complicated is a better word. And there’s one thing I would hate to see happen, and that is for upcycling – and taking care of our planet while still consuming awesome cool designer products – to get complicated.

I’ve had this discussion with myself and others over the past weeks, whether people would be willing to actually collect the materials required to use for my upcycling designs, and then sit and make it themselves?

There’s no doubt it does take a little bit more effort to get the materials for the designs, let alone make them, compared to just buying a finished product in a shop or online. But I must admit I have a (maybe naive) belief in the simplicity of this concept – besides it being a good environmental option.

I know how busy we are, and I too use the easy way out more often than I like to admit. But this project is not meant to be a raised finger in the environmental debate. It’s about having fun making something out of free materials we already have, that would normally get thrown away. It’s about doing it yourself, about daring to try something new – mind you – I’ll be showing you exactly how. It’s about doing it together – with your friends, your family, your colleagues.

It’s about thinking about the small thing we can all do to make a difference, but have fun doing it, while creating something of value.

I also think that you can see the purity and simplicity in keeping this concept purely digital.

I mean, I could design and make the pieces – then ship them to you. But besides saving ‘x’ amounts of carbon dioxide being released into our ecosystem – I like how the concept becomes very personal & local, when you source the materials near you. And how you are in control of the making, by doing it yourself. That means the piece will have a history and a story that means something to you. You know where the material came from, what it was before – and you know what went into making it – if it was difficult or easy. I’m thinking you’ll appreciate it more when it has you sweat, blood and laughter in it.

Am I wrong?

I think it’s just like a habit that needs changing – like sorting your garbage. I’m not oblivious to the fact that this does take extra effort, but I’m hoping you can see the benefits of it.

I think it’s a mindset thing – and all you need to do is be aware of what you’re getting rid of, then I believe you will automatically think about it the next time you throw something out that could be upcycled? We’re not talking materials that will be difficult to find. A very important part of the MadeFromCrap concept is, that the materials are things we use, have or can get hold of reasonably easy.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Would sourcing your own upcycling materials and making it yourself keep you from making an upcycled product? If the result was really awesome?