NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

Reusable usables

by

If you’ve been reading NewlyWoodwards for any amount of time, you may know these things about me:

  • I love myself a good deal.
  • I love to create.
  • I love to reuse.
For all of these reasons, I’ve found a new love – Reusable Usables in LeClaire, Iowa. If you are local, you must check it out. (I’m talking to you, Jen. And when you do, let me know so I can meet you there.)
It’s an amazing gem for crafters, renovators, sewers and deal-lovers. I read this article in the Times and knew I had to check it out ASAP. I was not disappointed.
Not only was it fun just to look around, there were lots of great finds. The folks working were so sweet and friendly and everything was in a historic home.
Everything in the store is priced at $1/pound. So, you just pick whatever you want and they weigh it up at the end.
A few of my favorite finds:
  • Bolts of canvas fabric (I’m hoping to turn some of this into a cushion and pillows for a porch swing at the new house. I picked out blue and white stripes and another navy/light blue/grey stripe.)
  • Carpet squares (I’ll be using these in the basement of the new house. Because the laundry is down there, it needs some work and this will help. I picked a few different patterns and I’ll put them together a’la FLOR. These are awesome quality.)
  • Wine corks (I’ve been wanting to make some cork trivets, and this was my chance.)
  • Chargers (I’ve been itching to try this.)
  • Marble, glass and stone square tiles (These will be perfect for coasters and paperweights.)
There were also tons of cardboard tubes, which could be handy for a number of projects. If you don’t read Ready Made magazine, there was recently a feature on an attic remodel in which the homeowners used cardboard tubes for wall insulation and soundproofing.  The tubes immediately reminded me of this.
I got plenty of fun things, but I’m still kicking myself on passing on a few things – namely, sheets of cork. But, let’s see if I can put these items to use before I go buying more. At least, that’s what my husband probably thinks.
But, I will definitely be back. Reusable Usables is seriously calling my name –  appealing to me on multiple levels.
Do you have any place like this in your neck of the woods?

Comments

  1. What a fun place! I love all your finds and I bet everytime you go back there will be something new. I wish we had something like that here….but maybe I will just it as an excuse to come visit sometime!

  4. I would love one like this here! We do have one where you pay a membership fee or free for teachers that has certain items only. They take donations and do several ‘art’ type projects for kids.

  5. When I come visit you will you take me there? It looks awesome!!! You have all the cool stuff in the midwest. #IKEA #Reusable Usables #etc

  6. oh my gosh, I wish we had a place like that! A dollar a pound is so smart. We really need carpet squares for a few places in our house.

  9. Not that I know of… but I wish!! Can’t wait to see what you do with your finds. 🙂

  11. What a cool concept! We have a Re-Store as well, but I hadn’t heard of something quite like this aimed more at crafters. Fun!
    -Kim

  12. That is so cool! I googled it and it’s 2 hours from me. Sad… Thanks for posting about it though–what a really neat concept!

  13. Aaaahh! I NEED a store like this! It’s like a dream come true! Or maybe I should just start my own – all these corks, leftover yarn, fabric scraps, door knobs and pieces of carpet aren’t going to reuse themselves.

  15. Ok, so I really need a place like that!

    Well, maybe not “need” but definitely “want”!

    What a fun idea and I liked the fabric you scooped up! : )

  16. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!! I could hardly wait for you to post about your trip this weekend!!! I’m drooling all over my keyboard right now…hmm….when are they open next? 😉 I must make the trip. Great finds Kim!!

  18. I LOVE this idea and am wondering if it would be cost effective to drive to Iowa? 😉
    Goodwill outlet has similar pricing and I totally dig it: 59 cents/pound for housewares and $1.63/pound for textiles.

  20. Awesome finds… we have stores down here similar (although not priced per pound) that are called ReStore its owned by habitat for humaity… its full of super cheep reclaimed building materials and inside fixtures.

  21. We do 🙂 It’s in Ann Arbor MI and is called ‘The Scrap Box’. Sometimes the stuff you find isn’t that awesome, but there are ALWAYS a few gems hidden in there! They do it by the bag. 5 dollars per big paper back.