Upcycle CHQ

05/29/2026

WEEKEND REMINDER: Family Upcycle Challenge

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?

Why not create something together and join the UpcycleCHQ Week 8 Family Upcycle Challenge in collaboration with the Audubon Community Nature Center.

Gather your:
- Cardboard
- Fabric scraps
- Containers
- Cups
- Nature materials
- Other reusable items

Then create something together with your family, friends, neighbors, classmates, or community group.

Need ideas?
- Fairy gardens
- Dragons
- Bird feeders
- Nature art
- Planters
- Fairy houses
Anything imaginative and made from reused materials

Winner receives:
-A Family Membership to Audubon Community Nature Center
-Four FREE passes to the Dragons and Fairies Festival

Use this weekend to get creative, spend time together, and keep useful materials out of the landfill.

Post your project and tag

We can’t wait to see what you create together!

05/29/2026

Upcycle CHQ community member recently reached out to share a special story.

For many years, her mother made braided wool rugs from clothing she found at thrift stores. She would carefully take the garments apart, cut them into strips, prepare the materials, and transform them into beautiful handmade rugs. Over time, she built up a collection of prepared materials and even taught others how to do it.

Today, arthritis makes it difficult for her to continue, but rather than letting the materials and knowledge go unused, the family would like to pass them on to others.

Even more exciting—they have offered to teach an UpcycleCHQ class on the process.

We’re considering organizing a workshop where people can learn this practical reuse skill and help keep this tradition alive.

Would you be interested in attending?

Comment below or tag someone who might enjoy learning how to turn old clothing into something beautiful and useful.

We have to keep skills like this alive!💚

See pictures from them.

05/28/2026

Repair in Action by Scott Shaw. What a great pool transformation!

A great example of how skilled trades help reduce waste and extend the life of what we already have.

These pools received complete liner transformation, giving them fresh new life without replacing the entire structure.

Repair, restoration, and maintenance are often overlooked parts of sustainability, but they play a huge role in keeping materials in use longer and reducing unnecessary waste.

Thank you to local professionals like Scott and his team who use their skills to help make that possible.

If you need such services reach out to him.

05/28/2026

Latest transformation by The Upholstery Place 💚👍

05/28/2026

Another great stop we made during the North Shore Arts Alliance Art Trail 2026 was Hub #1 — Marvin Bjurlin Studio in Fredonia, NY.

Marvin was excited to be Trail Stop #1 and gave us a warm welcome and tour around his studio. It was fascinating hearing him talk about his journey, his years at the State University of New York at Fredonia, and the fact that he has been working in ceramics and pottery for over 50 years.

His work ranges from pottery to incredible wood-fired stoneware sculptures, many inspired by marine life. One of the things that stood out most to us were the fish pieces — the textures, colors, and craftsmanship were amazing to see in person.

Marvin also shared how the wood-firing and soda brine process creates unique effects on each piece, making every work feel distinct and full of character.

It was a great experience seeing the creativity, history, and craftsmanship behind his work and hearing stories from decades of making right here in our region.

Thank you Marvin for the hospitality and for sharing your work and story with us.

05/27/2026

What if reusable materials could help support local production, practical skills, and new micro-enterprise opportunities right here in CHQ?

That’s what the Upcycle CHQ Maker Pilot Program is beginning to explore.

In less than two weeks:
- 30 maker applications were received
- 25 makers selected for the first cohort
- Community material hubs and partnerships are forming across CHQ
-Reusable materials are already being redirected into local production opportunities

The pilot is focused on connecting reusable materials, local makers, practical skills, and community collaboration to help create products under the new identity.

We’ve now released our Sponsorship & Partnership Brochure and are actively looking for:
- Sponsors
- Community & business partners
- Material partners
- Organizations interested in supporting local maker and micro-enterprise development

Download the brochure to learn more 👇

https://upcyclechq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/UPCYCLECHQ-MAKER-PILOT-PROGRAM-Updated.pdf

05/27/2026

Another inspiring stop during the North Shore Arts Alliance Art Trail Weekend was Sandra Maggio Home Studio in Fredonia, NY.

Sandra Maggio, a Fredonia native, uses photography to capture and reframe the natural world in a way that invites people to slow down and truly see what is around them. Using primarily a smartphone camera and minimal technological effects, her work creates a powerful connection between nature, observation, and artistic expression.

Her private studio and gallery, “Elemental Encounters,” was filled with stunning images and thoughtful perspectives on the natural world. One piece that especially stood out to us was her beautiful photograph of the Dunkirk swan — a striking image that immediately captured attention and reflected the calm beauty found throughout her work.

What we appreciated most was how her photography encourages people to look closer at everyday nature and rediscover beauty that often goes unnoticed.

Thank you Sandra for the warm welcome, the conversation, and for sharing your work and creative vision with the community.

05/27/2026

What a great evening at our 4th session of the Upcycle CHQ Library Series at James Prendergast Library Association

This was our first UpcycleCHQ Material Exchange in Jamestown, and it was inspiring to see community members come together to share materials, ideas, stories, and creativity. Participants brought reusable items to exchange, explored new possibilities for materials, and connected around the idea of keeping useful things in circulation instead of throwing them away.

A special thank you to Stacey Rae Thrasher who joined us alongside her mother and shared thoughtful insights about material exchange, rehoming materials, and how kindness has been a major motivating factor behind what she does. Their contributions added so much depth, warmth, and perspective to the discussion.

Events like this remind us that building a stronger reuse culture starts with simple community actions — sharing, connecting, and helping useful materials find new life through others.

Thank you to everyone who attended, shared materials, exchanged ideas, and helped make this first Material Exchange such a meaningful experience.

05/26/2026

05/26/2026

What can families, friends, neighbors, classmates, or teams create together using reused materials?

Join Upcycle CHQ Week 8 Challenge with Audubon Community Nature Center

For Week 8 of the Upcycle CHQ Weekly Challenge, we’re excited to partner with the Audubon Community Nature Center to launch a fun, creative, and family-friendly challenge focused on collaboration, imagination, and reuse.

This challenge is all about creating together.

Whether it’s:
- Families
- Friends
- Classmates
- Makers
- Kids & Parents
- Community groups

— we want to see what you can create as a team using reused, repurposed, or upcycled materials.

THE CHALLENGE:

Create something together using reused or repurposed materials.

It can be:
- Fairy-themed
- Nature-inspired
- Garden-related
- Creative art
- Outdoor décor
- Anything imaginative and collaborative

Use materials like:
- Coffee cups
- Cardboard
- Fabric scraps
- Plant containers
- Wood scraps
- Containers
- Anything you can creatively reuse

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Create something together using reused materials
Take photos of your project
Post it on Facebook
Tag UpcycleCHQ and use

Tell us:
- Who created it together
- What materials were reused
- The story behind your creation

WEEK 8 PRIZE:

Sponsored by the Audubon Community Nature Center

Winner receives:
- A Family Membership to Audubon
- Four FREE event passes to the upcoming Dragons and Fairies Festival

-Challenge Runs: May 25 – May 30
-Winner Announced: May 30

WHY THIS CHALLENGE?
This challenge is about creativity, family, nature, imagination, and community connection.

Sometimes the best creations happen when people come together, share ideas, and give everyday materials a second life.

⚠️Challenge Disclaimer⚠️:

By participating in the UpcycleCHQ Family Upcycle Challenge, participants grant permission for submitted photos, videos, names, and project images to be shared by UpcycleCHQ, GreenClusta, Audubon Community Nature Center, and participating partners for promotional, educational, and community engagement purposes.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that all projects and activities are completed safely and with appropriate supervision, especially for children. UpcycleCHQ, GreenClusta, Audubon Community Nature Center, and participating partners are not responsible for injuries, accidents, damages, or misuse of tools or materials related to participation in the challenge.

Please use clean, safe, and appropriate reused materials and exercise caution when using cutting tools, adhesives, paints, or other crafting equipment.

This challenge is intended to encourage creativity, collaboration, environmental stewardship, and community participation through reuse and upcycling.

Let’s create something magical together!

05/26/2026

Today is our first Upcycle CHQ Material Exchange in Jamestown.

We’ve been talking a lot about material exchange and the idea of keeping useful things in circulation instead of throwing them away…

Now we’re finally doing it.

Today at James Prendergast Library, we’re hosting our first community Material Exchange — a simple way for people to share small, clean, reusable materials with others who can use them.

No buying.
No selling.
Just exchange.

Bring little things like:
- Fabric scraps
- Jars & containers
- Buttons, zippers, craft materials
- Small reusable items
- Things someone creative could use

The idea is simple:
If someone else can use it, create with it, or give it a second life — bring it.

You never know what small item could inspire someone else’s next project, repair, or idea.

It’s Today
5:30–6:30 PM
At James Prendergast Library, Jamestown

Come curious. Bring something small to share if you can. Let’s see what happens when a community starts exchanging materials instead of throwing them away.

Michelle Vullo Kathy Bunker Sarah Jane Mayberry Jayne Becky Debbie Mckinsey