Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

Part 1: Terms Defined

• Antiques: An old collectible item desirable because of a unique feature, rarity, or beauty.  Usually an antique is 100 years old or older  (Wikipedia)
• Antiquing: The act of finishing or refinishing in an antique style (Merriam-Webster)
• Junk: Discarded material which may include glass, plastic, rags or metal (The Free Dictionary)
• Junking: The art of searching for or finding bargains or antiques (Urban Dictionary)
• Flea Market: A market of secondhand antiques and articles (Merriam-Webster)
• Thrift shop: A shop selling secondhand articles and may be run for charitable purposes (Merriam-Webster)
• Upcycling: A process of converting waste or useless materials into new, high quality products (Wikipedia)
• Resale Shop: Charity shop usually selling secondhand items donated by the members of the public and is often staffed by volunteers (Wikipedia)

Part 2: Questions Answered

1. What do the terms above have to do with environmental health? 

Environmental Health focuses on making a safe environment for everyone including clean air and water.  Several products are made through mass production in factories which omits harmful chemicals that pollute our air and water.  When we can reuse secondhand materials we reduce the need for these harmful omission during making another product that already exists.

2. Identify at least one local resource for each of the terms above...provide name, location, contact info, and link to website or blog.

• Find Antiques at: Another Sellers Action   2103 1/2 W. 3rd St, Duluth MN 55806 218-722-3360  http://www.sellersauction.com                                                                                                                                                         
• Find Junk at: Savers   1740 Mall Drive, Duluth MN 55811218-722-1894  http://www.savers.com/Find-A-Store.aspx                                                                                                                                       
• Flea Market:  Flea Portal  Hosted at Lake Superior College (Open: Annually 2nd Sunday in August ) 2101 Trinity  Road, Duluth MN 55811 http://fleaportal.com/Flea_markets/Index/MINNESOTA/Duluth  
• Thrift Shop: The Salvation Army Thrift Store   2102 W. Superior St, Duluth MN 55806 218-722-7723  http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/0/e3610fb5ddd550a1802573250030e32a?opendocument                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
• Find materials to upcycle at: Goodwill Industries Vocational Enterprises, Inc.   700 Garfield Ave, Duluth MN 55802                                                                                                 http://www.goodwillduluth.org/shop-locations.htm
• Resale Shop: Dannie Duluth   932 E 4th Street, Duluth MN 218-724-8507 http://www.dannieduluth.com/                                                                                                                         

3. Identify whether you do any or use any of these things. Why or why not?

 Occasionally I use these resources when I need something for a class project or for an addition for a costume.  Many of the items available at resale shops have great potential but I don't have the time or motivation to put the work into them needed to make the item desirable.  I think Upcycling and Junking is a great way to help out the environment and save money.  I will try to visit these stores more often to find environmentally friendly, price efficient treasures.

Part 3: Get your junk on!

I recently moved into a new house and have a spot in my room that needs something!  I am also lacking pictures of my friends and family in my room and I think both of these problems could be solved with a picture frame/ hanging item.  When searching for projects I keep these problems in mind.  I also love jewelry and found a few inspirational pieces of vintage jewelry reworked. Look at what I found!

• Photo Holder Made from an Old Grate: http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/28822/a-simple-grate-for-some-great-vintage-photo
• Large frame with Strings to Hook Pictures on: http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/33431/family-photo-wall
• Vintage Jewelry: http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/15676/vintage-redesign-jewelry-from-raw-elements-to-fun