Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

Some terms about junking defined:

An antique is an old collectible item. It is collected or desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features.

• Sellers Auction in Duluth auctions many antiques. Their next auction is November 5th at 4:30. They are located at 2103 ½ W. 3rd St.

Junk is discarded material, such as glass, rags, paper, or metal, some of which may be reused in some form.

• Calvary Crushing and Recycling is a junkyard. It is located at 5197 Lavaque Road, Duluth, MN. You should be able to walk around the property and find junk.

A flea market  is a type of bazaar where inexpensive or secondhand goods are sold or bartered.

• Lake Superior College has an annual flea market and car show. It takes place every August at 2101 Trinity Rd.

A thrift shop is a shop that sells used articles, especially clothing, as to benefit a charitable organization.

• St. Michael's Used A Bit is a thrift shop in downtown Duluth at 16 N 1st Avenue West. They can be reached at (218) 722-2171.

Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.

• I did not find any specific locations for upcycling, but if you went to the junk yard you would be able to find junk to upcycle.

A resale shop is a store that sells items for a second time.

• Dannie Duluth Consignment is located on 932 East 4th Street. They buy and sell clothes. 

These are all great ways to re-use items that would likely end up in a landfill. Also, if we re-use items it saves us from having to go out and buy new items. If there was less production of products that would be linked with less pollution.
I currently do not do many of these except for going to flea markets and consignment shops. Now that I know of the resources in our community, and the great ways to re-use items, I do plan on being more active.

After visiting Junk Market Style I found many great ideas for projects to upcycle.

This is an old record player, with the creator's favorite Johnny Cash album, attached to a frame and on display on the wall. I think its a great way to personalize and really spice up the walls. 

This was really creative! The creator took apart an old sewing machine and made jewelry with the pieces. I am showing a picture of a necklace but she also made bracelets and earrings. 

This junker found a grate which was likely used for cooking on the grill, she turned it into a magnet board. It is also handy because it has a lip on the bottom to set things on.