DIY projects are an amazing way to repurpose old items and spruce up any space. Creating one-of-a-kind pieces with your own two hands can be an incredibly rewarding experience, bringing with it many psychological benefits. That’s why Habitat HMD’s ReVive Centre has a new, highly requested program coming soon: DIY workshops.
What’s the ReVive Centre?
If you haven’t yet heard about our ReVive Centre, it’s a green upcycling centre that’s exclusive to Habitat HM. We like to think of our work as DIY with purpose. We take old donated products and raw materials that would otherwise end up in the landfill and we breathe new life into them.
These stunning creations are then sold in our ReStores, with revenue from their sale covering necessary costs of not-for-profit administration.
What’s a DIY workshop?
Unsurprisingly, when people saw the projects coming out of our ReVive centre, they wanted a piece of the action. With questions like “How do I make one of those!?” helped us quickly realize the need for this program so we can let others in on the feeling of joy that comes from creating.
As we’ve only recently started hashing out the details of what these workshops will look like, some specifics may change, but we wanted to bring you an outline of what they’ll look like.
What kinds of projects will be offered in the DIY workshops?
Our workshops will feature smaller-scale DIY designs, so you don’t have to worry about overly-daunting projects like constructing a table from scratch. Some things we’ll be working on include refinishing furniture, creating rustic home décor and building wooden storage crates.
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Is any background knowledge necessary?
Absolutely not! Our aim is to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to be able to create some stunning DIY pieces at home after you leave our ReVive Centre.
Whether you’re an aspiring Pinterest-er who hasn’t experimented with DIY beyond admiring pieces posted online, you’re an artist with a strong vision who is simply lacking the know-how or you’re an experienced DIY guru without the proper tools at home, our workshops will provide the perfect space for your creativity to thrive.
“We’ve had corporate teams come in (with individuals who) have never held a hammer or paintbrush and they (create) wonderful pieces,” said Cait Kennedy, manager of the ReVive Centre.
What will you learn?
As we’re excited to welcome DIY-ers of all different skill levels, our incredible team of staff and volunteers at the ReVive centre will teach you everything you need to know to safely and correctly produce a beautiful finished product.
At Habitat HMD, safety is always our first priority. The projects will involve light, controlled tool use. These include relatively intro-level tools, such as drills, palm sanders, and chop saws.
As we’re the organization that centres around building, we’re the perfect place for you to pick up some crucial hands-on tool know-how.
We’ll guide you through the steps of creating your project, but the design is all up to you. We encourage you to flex your creative muscles and let your imagination flow into your piece. You might even be surprised at the incredible items you can create.
Who are these DIY workshops for?
Habitat HM welcomes anyone and everyone to join our team for a day in our ReVive Centre!
Our workshops are perfect for any get-together. Switch up your girls’ night and opt to DIY, bring a team from your workplace for an engaging bonding experience, bring your significant other for a perfectly unique date night or stop by solo so you can build your skills and capitalize on your creativity.
Because we’ll be working with tools, we ask that participants be aged 16 and over. We have plans to eventually expand the program to include family days, welcoming participants under the age of 16, so stay tuned for more information on that!
Where will the workshops take place?
The workshops will take place in our ReVive Centre, which is located beside our Mississauga ReStore.
When are the workshops coming?
We’re hoping to have our workshops open for registration by late summer. Our current projected timeline is to have them up and running by August or September.
Associated fees
We’re still in the process of ironing out the details, but participation will cost approximately $50-$100.
Bring DIY to your home
These projects are a great way to bring unique items into your home that will reflect your individual tastes. With DIY, the sky’s the limit as to what you can create.
Use these skills that you take away from your time in our ReVive Centre to experiment with different projects. These pieces are a great way to make any house feel more like a home with these personal touches.
Get your family involved and make a day out of creating new décor that you’ll be able to appreciate day after day.
Benefits of getting creative
Beyond being able to display in your home a stunning item you can proudly boast was created by you, DIY also provides the creator with many psychological benefits.
Gives a strong sense of satisfaction
The process of starting with an outdated item, or using materials from scratch, and transforming it into a work of art is extremely satisfying. Being able to create something with your own two hands that you can be proud of is one of the most rewarding accomplishments.
Boosted brain power
Aside from all the new skills and knowledge you’ll be equipped with after leaving our workshops, using your creativity is an amazing way to activate important parts of the brain that are often left unstimulated.
DIY can be a great way to not only uncover hidden talents, but also hidden passion that might have been lacking from your life.
An opportunity to disconnect
In today’s age, it’s a familiar sight to see everyone around you absorbed in their phones, overlooking the world that’s happening right above their screen. Bringing DIY projects into your home can be the perfect time to get some much-needed tech-free time.
So you can re-connect
Jump on the opportunity of disconnecting from technology and social media to re-connect with those who matter most in your life. Set a plan to spend a sunny Saturday in your backyard with family or friends, bonding over the experience of trying out your new-found DIY skills.
Feel free to reach out to Cait Kennedy, our amazing ReVive Centre manager, with any questions you might have about our upcoming workshops. You can send her an email at ckennedy@habitathm.ca.
We look forward to seeing you at Habitat HMD’s ReVive Centre DIY workshops soon!
By: Olivia Kabelin
Updated: July 5, 2021