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Thursday, October 22, 2009

Upcycling Unwanteds



I did a vase with photo frames, which can also be used as a lampshade. I made use of the shape of the coffee lids, and how it has different diameters of circles in one coffee lid, so that it can be stuck on the accurately cut-out polypropylene. The polypropylene and coffee lids are dependent on each other, because they act as fasteners. Without either one of the components, the final design wouldn't be achieved. As the transformation poster showed, no glue was used.

Besides being different from other products and glue-free, it also has the advantage to be customized. Since no glue was used, all the coffee lids can be easily taken out, without destroying anything. (Although they can be easily taken out, doesn't mean that it will fall off if someone touches it). Therefore, the coffee lids can be turned inside out depending on the user, giving the vase to have a capacity of maximum of 24 photos and a minimum of zero. The cut out bits (cut-out circles) of the polypropylene will not be thrown away as they will serve as circle templates for photos which fit into the vase.

Peer comments:

5 comments:

Wawen Chen said...

The vase look beautifkul and it is creative that make it a photo vase. I like the idea of using lids because it is really a big waste in Australia. And the way you used it is clever, make it a fastener and and also the photo frame.Well done!

Jill Darbey said...

Very inventive and innovative use of a variety of materials and ideas.
The Prototype model was very well made and presented nicely.
I'm not convinced that it needs to be all three things at once...but since it is, I think it works well.
Certainly well upcycled. A Good piece.

Maria Park said...

I love how it's a combination of photoframe and vase. The use of material is also very well chosen as coffee lids does get thrown away everyday. I like it !

nbaroni said...

i like the concept that you've come up with, a vase with the possibility to hold photos is a great use of the materials that were available to you.
As you recycled the coffee lids was the polypropylene recycled too? or was that virgin material?
Also if you took out the lids to have zero how could the vase be water tight to be a vase?
Over all well done

menglei.cl.zhang said...

it is only not a vase ,a picture frame also can be the lampshade.it is a brilliant idea that you use the coffee lids to create your product.but i' m not sure if it is better to cover the bottom by using some matterials.it could be difficult but in that way, it could be a vase not only for fake flower but also for real flowers.

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