ON ONE HAND, it’s great that you tried to regain a lost attribute. I think in general we have lost our resourcefulness. We expect of instant gratification and everything must be pre-stocked, pre-made, or made-to-order. We expect every desire to be a mouse click away (I myself love e-commerce!) or sitting on a store shelf at the local big box retailer.

I remember history readings of how people were resourceful, saving whatever scraps they had during the Great Depression and WWII. They were really reducing, reusing, recycling, and upcycling! People are approaching this recession by opting for the lower priced items and hunting for sales. It’s about consumption rather than conservation. I find it an interesting idea and cultural shift.

ON THE OTHER HAND, I say leave the creative upcycling to the professionals. I’m sure many people can figure out a ways to “transform dead batteries, ancient underwire bras or old VHS tapes into decorative knick-knacks.”

Sometimes craftiness isn’t a good idea! You and Sarah Supernove bring up an important point by highlighting the current paradigm of consumer crafting. Crafting is now just another way to consume “all sorts of non-biodegradable supplies.”

Another point, that you almost hinted at, is some craft fodder isn’t green but additionally may not be the safest thing to upcycle either. Crafting may have been simpler and safer before we created monstrous hybrids, products doused in endocrine disruptors, and electronics laced with carcinogens. Once a product has come to the end of its lifespan not only will it cease to be functional it could be dangerous to repurpose. I am a big proponent of upcycling and reusing, but some things should be properly disposed and isolated until we can figure out how to neutralize their toxicity.

I really love it when anyone attempts to be crafty, but sometimes and for some people, recycling and reality television is a better, safer way to go.

For example…quilting: it used to be you’d take your old dressed and turn them into quilts. Now you can go buy all kinds of brand new (unecologically produced) fabrics. Or scrapbooking…you’d take whatever you had on hand and creatively cut and paste. Now, entire shops exist for fun little stickers and glitter glues. Bleah.