As you know...or perhaps not...I'm a member of Repair Cafe. We hold a session one Saturday morning per month, encouraging people to bring items for repair, rather than throw them away. Our volunteers' expertise includes electronics, digital technology, electrical repairs, sewing and knitting repairs, joinery...all the things you wish you could do when something hits the fan!
Yesterday this concept was taken to a further level. At Treffendel, the morning session encouraged everyone to bring things for which they had no further use. Think clothing, utensils, everything one's children had outgrown, crockery, ornaments, books, paintings, tools, ephemera...indeed everything for which one had neither further use nor need. The principle was to relieve yourself of the unnecessary and take what you needed/wanted of what others had brought. The morning shift received, sorted and arranged everything for the afternoon session.
This shot shows decorative items and ornaments, all arranged with thought and taste to encourage all who came to go home with something that would give them pleasure. There wasn’t much left at the end of the day.
I altered 3 pairs of trousers and repaired a zip on a child’s coat. I came home with some knitting yarn, some glasses and a very ditsy red leather handbag, all but new. In summary, a wonderful community and egalitarian event, workshops for children (no primary school on Wednesdays). The icing on the cake was that all of we volunteers received a gift! Early in the afternoon we had to take a name out of a hat of a fellow volunteer and choose them a 'gift' from all the assembled booty! I received 2 books, which I didn’t already have, on local legend and history. A thoughtful choice. A chose a necklace for Françoise...which she accepted with delight and pleasure.
Net result: much pleasure, items recycled big time, children entertained, social interaction for all generations, no money changed hands...and what little was left will go to the next event. I was delighted to have been party to it all ;-))
What a wonderful idea. I would happily participate in such a venture. Plus I have a number of items that are surplus to our needs but are still in good condition so not keen to toss them out. It would be much nicer to find them a new home where they will be enjoyed and used.
Great idea and wonderful choice of goods...In my area, Seaview, we hold yard sales once or twice year. Several blocks of neighbors display their goods on their lawns while people in cars, bikes drive the route in search of items.
I can see some lovely paintings there. I am about to give all my language learning materials to Oxfam Bookshop, including large dictionaries which at one time I regarded as sacrosanct - but now I use my trusty iPad if I need to look up a word - quick and easy.
What a totally awesome idea. Absolutely love it. I would feel happier about relieving myself of some treasured items if I knew they were going to a home that would appreciate them, and how lovely to take other items more useful to one's current needs instead. And the arrangement does look artistic and enticing.
What a great idea and story. We have a ground floor "recycle store" in our block where you can leave good things for recycling - and grab anything you need if available. Everyone in all the surrounding buildings have a key.
What makes your initiative more compelling is the social factor.
Thank you...all of you for your encouraging comments. Please tell others in your communities about this initiative. We all have more than we need. Many people, more than we will ever know, can benefit from an activity like this. Let's light some fires!
What Claes said hits the nail on the head.
'What makes your initiative more compelling is the social factor.'
@s4sayer I have just posted about this on a community Face Book page. It will be interesting to see if it gets a response. Something like this great initiative does need to be shared. Thank you Margo.
What makes your initiative more compelling is the social factor.
Thank you...all of you for your encouraging comments. Please tell others in your communities about this initiative. We all have more than we need. Many people, more than we will ever know, can benefit from an activity like this. Let's light some fires!
What Claes said hits the nail on the head.
'What makes your initiative more compelling is the social factor.'
Thank YOU!