In the first place, “creation” denotes a certain first-timeness (again, not a word, but should be) to the act of making something that may not be entirely accurate when making something out of junk, since it is, of necessity, a second (or third, or further down the chain of making) try at making something from the original material.

This brings me to the idea that “recreation” is more suitable since it calls up the idea that the items used in junk creation have been used in other creations.

I suppose this particular deep thought is brought to you because of my recently mind-bending journey through certain Jaques Derrida essays.  So, in the language of Sesame Street, this post has been brought to you by the letters ‘J’ and ‘D.’

Post from: Blisstree

Junk Re-Creation

I have come up with a list of possible reasons why those of us who create from junk continue to create with junk.

Here’s my list:

1. You’re naturally cheap or just can’t afford the new materials.
2. You get a buzz from making things, so you have to use all kinds of materials–including “junk.”
3. You just like getting messy.
4. You love the challenge of reusing things in ways the original maker didn’t intend.
5. You want to “save the planet.”
6. You enjoy cutting parts off of cute, fuzzy, stuffed duckies. (see previous post, “”)
7. You already go through dumpsters–you just need an excuse to appease your spouse. (If you think I’m joking…)

I’d love to see additions to my list–so let’s hear ‘em!

Post from: Blisstree

What is it about making something out of Junk?

Have you ever wondered what happens to celebrity “junk” when they no longer want/need it?  Well, apparently we aren’t alone.

The Hollywood Reporter’s article, “Not Junk: A & E Orders ‘Garage Sale,’ talks about a new TV show in which the hostess helps celebrities throw Garage Sales for charity, using their own celebrity cast-offs.

The hostess says:

“I’ve always been a garage sale fanatic, but the fun of a celebrity garage sale is that their throwaways become someone else’s collectables — like an ‘Antiques Roadshow’ to the stars,” she said. “After all, it’s not just junk — it’s celebrity junk!”

I’d like to know what some of this stuff sells for–since the whole eBay chewing gum story, I’ve often wondered how celebrities grow gold-producing salivary glands.  How else could their spit on/in a piece of chewed gum make it worth so much more money?  Perhaps whoever bought Brittany Spears’ gum should get their money back.

If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day post, try here.

Post from: Blisstree

Celebrity Junk at “Reality TV” Garage Sales

I’ve come up with some ideas:

Post from: Blisstree

Junk Creator’s Avatars

I know, it’s weird, but I think my wife will like it? This post is part of a community post at the b5media channel I belong to–the Lifestyles Channel.

I anticipate a link for the site with everyone else’s Valentines. When I get it I will link to it, here.

(If you look hard, you should see at least parts of a banana, a pop can, an old CD, a wadded up piece of paper with writing on it, a circuit board, a tomato, a bottle, and a piece of scrap metal in the heart. Feel free to ascribe any sorts of symbolic meaning to any of these items; I’d love to hear what you come up with!)

Post from: Blisstree

Early Junk Valentine

Who would have thought that junk creation projects would come in the news?  Well, today’s comes from www.pressconnects.com and their news story titled: Mitten madness: Warm hands, warm heart and recycled, too.

I thought that this post would be good for those of you who thought the idea I posted about making your own gloves was a bit on the difficult side. They show you how to make mittens out of an old sweatshirt, but it only takes three steps.

I’d make some for myself, but I don’t like mittens–I do too many things that take fingers, I suppose.

Enjoy!

Post from: Blisstree

Quick and Easy Junk Creation Mittens

I found one of the oddest things yesterday–a “handicapped” sign made from a frying pan…

I owe this find to the Imaginerding Blog (apparently, they’re bringing nerdy back) and their post: Daily Figmenting 155: Theming is Everywhere!

According to Biblioadonis (aka George), 

Being that we are in Monument Valley, Utah, we tend to see visual clues, such as: cacti, rocks, and ramshackle buildings–all in hues of light brown, tan, gray and light green. Big Thunder Mountain was a mine at one point–so it is safe to assume that there is mining paraphernalia left around. The handicap access sign is made from an old skillet. Probably one that had been lying around. 

So, the Imagineers could have simply put up a nice wooden sign with the same symbol on it. But then, they wouldn’t Imagineers, would they?

I would have expected to see a very poorly painted sign on a frying pan, but it looks like someone went the extra mile on that one!  Nice way to be original and use old stuff instead of new stuff.  (What else is Junk Creation about, if not making new out of old?) 

Post from: Blisstree

Frying Up Some Signage

For the 7 oddball things…here goes:

1. I’ve worked at libraries, colleges, McDonald’s , and yard care (and one of these is a lie).
2. I am a graduate student in English.
3. I have eaten more than one grasshopper after boiling it, salting it, and throwing it into the oven for a bit.
4. I also convinced one other person to eat a grasshopper at around the same time, and in the same way, as #3.
5. I have the cutest daughter ever.  (Seriously.)
6. I have a junk drawer seems to expand to several bins and never seems to contract…
7. I like cheese.  No, really, it’s good stuff!

As for the 7 victims (pretend you can hear the vicious chuckling), here they are:

1. Heather @ A Creative Journal
2. Cyndi @ Jewelry and Beading
3. Cyndi @ Layers Upon Layers (I think I’m allowed to get you twice…?  Once for each great blog!)
4. Karen @ Thrifty Mommy
5. Anita @ Anita’s Arts
6. Sandra @ Globally Green Living
7. Karen @ Zazazu

Post from: Blisstree

Junk Man Tagged!