r/upcycling

Started with a plain black hoodie and upcycled it using my own original DTF artwork, then added a hand-designed organic pattern on the back.

I’ve been really drawn to organic forms lately~

things that feel like growth, roots, veins, natural systems. I like the idea of clothing feeling more alive and personal instead of mass-produced.

Still experimenting, but I’m happy with how this one evolved.

I accidentally smashed the wall sconce in my hallway, and instead of buying a new one, I went hunting through a flea market for parts. An elderly woman was selling old junk from her kitchen — pieces of a broken food processor and an old brass faucet.

Most people would have seen scrap metal. I saw a future lamp.

After a few evenings in the workshop, polishing, fitting parts together, rewiring, and experimenting with the shape, this industrial-style wall light was born. Now it hangs in the hallway with a completely different character than the original one ever had.

I really enjoy giving forgotten objects a second life — especially things that were never meant to become art or lighting in the first place.

All handmade and sewn in my room! Let me know what you think! :)

I see this sub is a lot of people showing kind of elaborate upcycling projects which is super fun. But I don’t sew (bad hands) and in this case it doesn’t really matter…😏 You could certainly elevate these if you did sew though. Anyway- save the sock tops but don’t try donating the bottoms to any shelters or anything. Love you

I have an original Crouse-Hinds explosion proof cage light. Original stamped glass too. I’m replacing the ceramic socket today as the original cracked. What do you think of I drilled a hole in this old car wooden wheel chock and wired a chord with a switch to make a lamp. The light has some real value it seems. Would it be a cool industrial piece or is the wood too old where it would waste the light? I’m open to ideas or let me know if you think it looks cool.

I dont know what kind of lamp shades where originaly on here, but I dont think anything can top this paper flower upgrade

This idea came to me after just finding a few Gildan tees I had lying around . I buy so much random stuff that I forget about it until I find it while looking for something else. These tees were no different. But the color on these things are crazy. Ofcourse I added vinyl for support and a zipper on the inside for those a little more careless than others (I’m those) 😂😂😂

“SEAMOSS”

I had the fleece lining fabric already, and it's cold here, so I thought I'd make a warm coat. It's mostly finished, I'm going to add another pocket to the inside, and I'm contemplating adding buttons. I plan to do some visible mending as well because it is seperating in quite a few spots.

I'm going to make a bunch of other things with the rest of the fabric to use all of it. I might make a matching fleece lined bucket hat next and a bag.

​

I’ve always been fascinated by the borderline mythical aura surrounding Alexander. For this piece, I wanted to capture that intense, restless energy turning him into a dramatic, winged figure of conquest.

The hardest part was definitely wrapping the wings seamlessly across the sleeves so that the movement of the body actually brings the piece to life. It took hours of layering textile paints to get that high-contrast, almost marble-like armor shine against the fabric.

I really wanted to blur the line between a classic painting and something you can just wear. Would love to hear your thoughts on this interpretation!

Easy way to upcycle fabric scraps 🌸

As a photographer, I’ve collected many cameras over the years.
Not all of them survived time in working condition.

This old Praktica film camera had a broken lens and was impossible to restore for shooting, but I couldn’t just throw it away. Cameras deserve better than ending up forgotten on a shelf.

So I decided to give it a second life.

I found an old lampshade and part of a metal tube from a broken lamp at a flea market, and built a custom metal mount by hand so it could slide directly into the camera’s flash shoe.

Now this old Praktica works again — not capturing light anymore, but creating it.

One more vintage object saved and transformed into a loft-style table lamp with its own story.

Family wants to throw them away, I want to upcycle them. Sure, you could always make plant pots out of them, but maybe you guys have other ideas? I'm open for anything 🌿

Keychains I made from small fabric scraps and stuffed with even smaller fabric scraps!