Repurposing 101 – Free Workshop this Saturday at 2pm!

Hi Forklift Fans – we’ve got a great workshop this Saturday, August 9th, at 2pm at Community Forklift. But if you can’t make it, we’ve got more workshops later this summer. They’re all free, too! Read on for the full schedule…

Repurposing with Community Forklift 101:

Thinking Differently About Materials, and Starting Your Next Project

with Forklift Fan Ryan Quinter

August 9th at 2pm

Do you have a project in mind but don’t know where to start? Come learn the basics of re-purposing with a class built just for beginners.

In this customized workshop Ryan will work with attendees who have projects in mind, but don’t know where to start. We will be rethinking about salvaged materials and how they are used, looking at materials differently in order to help start or finish home projects and inspire others to do the same!

Ask Mr. Fix-It

Repairing & Restoring Old Furniture

**** Note: This is a hands on workshop

with Bergamin Fortunati from Southern Cross Co.

August 16th from 2-4pm

Have an old piece of furniture you want to restore but don’t know how to get started? Bring it in to Community Forklift during this interactive, hands-on workshop. Bergamin Fortunati will show you how to repair and restore old furniture, without great costs. Bergamin will guide you through decisions on what kind of finish to use, how to decide whether to strip the wood, replacing broken parts or removing water stains and marks. Trim, knobs, handles and other useful materials are available here at Community Forklift. Bring your questions and let’s get started!

Making & Using Your Own Chalk Style Paint

**** Note: This is a hands on workshop

with Sue Mondeel from Shabadaba Chic

August 23rd from 2-3pm

At Shabadaba Chic, we are all about Reducing, Reusing and Recycling! There are many varieties of chalk style paints available today which make it easy for painting novices to tackle their own furniture facelifts, but the price tag can be daunting. The beauty of chalk based paint is its ability to adhere to almost any surface and to create customized weathered looks.

We will show you how to take any latex paint you find, either in your own basement or on the shelves at Community Forklift and mix up your own chalk based paint.

We’ll show you how to measure it, mix it, paint it, layer it and weather it too.

Bring some paint and a small furniture item such as a stool, side table, chair, or any other metal or wood item that you would like to transform.

Making Your Own Upcycled Garden Gate

with Barbara Turner of Takoma Park

August 30th at 2pm

Learn to make a garden gate out of scrap decorative metal, sconces, lamps, wall grilles, etc. All you need is a gate frame, pliers, dremel, paint and slip ties! It helps to have pairs of items to make a symmetrical pattern.

Barbara Turner upcycles jewelry and sells it online. She is also adept at gardening, mosaics, quilting and upholstering, and has a BA in geology.