Upcycled Friendly Robots (creative inspiration)
ThinkUp Upcycled Stuff! is a fun indie brand was created by a couple in Italy, who upcycle junk into truly original and fun creations. Showing that using up trash can be a great source of creativity, as well as being good for the planet.
Keep away from small children & pets. A few items contain batteries, so locate your nearest recycling points (they are choking hazards).
Some of these items are electrical, but include cables to CE standards. Made in Italy, so check instructions for different voltages and plugs.
But really this post is for show – how talented are this couple?
Poetry, romance, design and technology. All together, and respecting the environment. Stefano & Lucia
Look what two people can create with various recovered metals, old iron pipes and upcycled biscuit tins. Is it wrong to start to fall in love with a few robots, made from recycled metal?
This small copper robot is made from all the bits and bobs leftover from the artist’s workbench. Not a toy.
Creating art should not about going to Hobbycraft and buying lots of tat, in order to make something nice. Real creativity is about turning found items or thrift shop finds into something new. If you’re feeling creative, here are some lovely inspiring ideas. Whether you do this for a hobby or create a cottage industry!
If making your own junk art:
- Don’t remove sand, pebbles, shells or driftwood from beaches (these prevent coastal erosion, the latter two often home to tiny marine creatures). Don’t remove fallen leaves either, they are likely home to tiny insects.
- Be sure raw materials are free from lead paint, old pallets free from rusty nails etc. Also keep glue away from children and pets. For plant pots, read of toxic plants to avoid near pets and avoid displaying indoor plants to gardens, to stop birds flying into windows.
- Also leave items like wildlife homes to the experts (for instance, never use upcycled tin or bright colours to make birdhouses, these can overheat and attract predators).
