Humble DIY Beginnings

Back in 2011, I launched a blog to document my love for DIY projects and furniture refurbishing. Living in Chicago offers endless opportunities for dumpster dives, curbside discoveries, estate sales, and even the occasional alley find. I have an eye for spotting items with hidden potential, bringing them home, giving them some TLC, and then reselling them on platforms like Craigslist and eBay to earn a little extra cash.

Finding DIY Inspiration in Unexpected Places

I’m not shy about my love for bargain hunting, be it through yard sales, estate sales, or even the occasional dumpster dive. Chicago is brimming with hidden gems, and I love giving these items a second life. Each find is a chance to clean, repair, and transform something unwanted into something with character and value.

The Challenges of Balancing DIY with Grad School

While I was dedicated to my blog and projects initially, life threw a few curveballs. Graduate school became a priority, and, unfortunately, I didn’t have the time or energy to keep up with my DIY work. I made the difficult decision to let go of my unfinished projects, putting them out in the alley for others to discover. Watching the cycle of reuse continue felt bittersweet, but it was a fitting end for those pieces.

Losing My Blog and Starting Fresh

Another unexpected setback hit when I switched my blog over to WordPress. In the process, I lost all my original blog entries cataloging these transformations. I attempted to recreate the posts, but another technical glitch wiped everything out again. I’m hoping I’ve finally figured out how to avoid this going forward—fingers crossed!

A DIY Success Story: Restoring a Neglected Chair

One of my favorite flips was a basement find—a chair that had sat unused for ages because it was wobbly and the repair seemed beyond my skill level. Originally, I planned to leave it by the curb, thinking its plastic replacement wheels detracted from its value. But after reconsidering, I gave the chair a deep clean with Murphy’s Oil Soap, oiled the movable parts, snapped some photos, and listed it on eBay. To my surprise, it sold for $150 in less than an hour. I’m glad I didn’t toss it, as it proved just how rewarding a little effort can be.

It’s a Life Long Process

Though my DIY blogging journey has had its ups and downs, each project taught me something valuable about the creative process. From forgotten treasures in Chicago’s alleys to unexpected sales successes, this journey is a reminder that one person’s trash can truly be another’s treasure. I’m hopeful that, with better organization and more time, I can keep cataloging these transformations and sharing them with the world.

“The B.L. Marble Chair Co.’s history can be traced back to 1894, when Barzilla L. Marble (1851-1932) founded a chair-manufacturing business in Bedford, Ohio. It made household chairs until 1910, then started manufacturing office furniture, including chairs. The company closed in 1985. B.L. Marble office chairs sell for $25 to $200, depending on age and condition.”     via Terry Kovel / Antiques and Collecting, journal-news.net

What restoration or repurposing projects are you working on?  What do you plan to do with them when you’re finished?

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend so far!

XOXO Jen