Come and join us at the Annual Conference

Reuseful UK National Conference 2015

Friday 12th June 2015 was Reuseful UK's National Conference, this year we headed to Stoke-on-Trent for a fun-filled Friday. This year we really wanted to capture the feeling of being part of a community with the sharing of relevant experiences, challenges and practical opportunities to implement. As always the conference is run on a tight budget and is only made possible by the amazingly dedicated and resourceful contributions of the speakers and facilitators.

It's always heartening to see how everyone rolls up their sleeves and helps out. A very big thank-you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this a wonderful day. Particular thanks to Michelle and Sue who were working late and up early to make the hall beautiful with handmade centrepieces for the tables and for their Foilgate workshop and showcase.

Speakers Sheila & Lucy; Facilitators: Ruth, Ro, Claire, Luciana, Krystyna, Heather, Gilli, Marcus & our wonderful co-hosts & Foilgate Superstars Michelle & Sue. Also a BIG THANK YOU to the wonderful support team Claire, Hannah, Amanda, John and Gary.

Finally we would like to say thank you to the folks who kept the home fires burning so you could all bring your enthusiasm and knowledge to share and support one another.

We look forward to hearing and seeing how you implement and share ideas from the day.

“It was great to meet everyone! We had so much fun and look forward to next years” (conference) – Zoe Temple, RAY Ceredigion

“Ruth’s Workshop is the best workshop I have ever been on” – Geoff Hood, PERCY Middlesbrough

I had a fab day at the conference, it flew by and we were swapping before I knew it! We shared lots of ideas between us and I really do hope we can all keep an eye on here and the forum to keep sharing ideas and supporting each other the rest of the year, we will all be stronger as a result. A massive well done to Nikki and Claire for all their hard work which you can really tell how they went above and beyond with, also to all the many others who supported, helped out etc...to make it a great conference. I'm looking forward to following up our new idea leads and unloading the van of goodies next week. Keep in touch everyone.” - Claire Drake, Scrap Magic in Bradford.

“Loved your workshop Claire & can't wait to use some of your fab kit ideas. We could use the sites to share tips, tricks & inspiration for the kits we are all creating, therefore supporting everyone’s income potential.” - Michelle Folkes, Community Scrap Shack in Stoke on Trent.

“We had an amazing day at the Reuseful UK National Conference. Not only did we learn lots of ideas to improve our Scrapstore, we also managed to secure some amazing resources in the Scrap Swap with our contemporaries from across the UK.” - John Cannel, Borders in Scotland.

As Easter fast approaches, you may be looking for fun ideas to create and craft Easter items with your children during the Easter school holidays. Below are 12 fun activities you can do with children of all ages.

Activity 1

How to blow out eggs for decoration to be used in other activities in our Easter blog.

Keep egg cartons for use in another activity in this blog.

http://hodgepodgecraft.com/how-to-blow-out-eggs-for-easter-decorations/

Activity 2

Hen bag for Easter egg hunt/decorated eggs.

http://randbconsultants.co.uk/2014/04/15/collect-your-easter-eggs-in-this-lovely-hen-bag/

Activity 3

Here are 20 different ways to dye or decorate your blown eggs.

https://www.parentmap.com/article/20-fantastic-ideas-for-dyeing-and-decorating-easter-eggs?

Activity 4

Novelty springy toilet paper roll bunnies.

http://childmadetutorials.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/paper-roll-easter-bunny.html

Activity 5

How to make a weaved Easter basket made from cardboard boxes. Any excess cardboard from these can be used in other activities in this blog.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/44094/how-to-weave-an-easter-basket-from-recycled-boxes/page/all#comment_list

Activity 6

Egg carton hatching chicks.

http://www.craftymorning.com/egg-carton-hatching-chicks-kids-craft/

Activity 7

Quick and easy toilet paper roll bunnies.

http://www.redtedart.com/2014/03/04/quick-toilet-paper-roll-bunnies-east-crafts-kids/

Activity 8

Cute Easter bunny bookmarks. Do you love reading, then you’ll love these.

http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/bunny-bookmarks.html

Activity 9

Blown eggs dyed with old silk ties. A novel and unique way to make use of old silk ties.

http://mommyknows.com/silk-tie-dye-easter-eggs-tutorial/

Activity 10

Rocking Easter chicks made from a plastic milk carton.

http://mylittle3andme.co.uk/rocking-easter-chick-recycled-craft/

Activity 11

Cardboard eggs made using decorated cardboard and twine which is all biodegradeable, so if they do not all get found no harm will come to any wildlife. Handy to hide for a treasure hunt and collect in your Easter bags/baskets to swap for Easter treats after the hunt.

http://b-inspiredmama.com/recycled-art-easter-eggs/

Activity 12

Easter bunny and chick mask templates which can be printed out on plain or coloured paper and then decorated using crayons, felts or paint.

http://www.itsybitsyfun.com/easter-masks.html

The Reuseful UK team wish you a happy Easter.

Please note that the Reuseful UK office will be closed over the Easter weekend including the Bank Holidays (3rd-6th April 2015)

Well what a busy week we've had...!!

Reuseful UK at short notice were invited to the resource event at The ExCel in London from 3 - 5th March 2015. A LOT of preparation in a short space of time...! 

We needed to resource and create an exhibition stand to make the most of this great opportunity to show the business community what we have to offer.

Resource is the largest free to attend circular economy event with 11,000 people attendeding to view and listen to 90 exhibitors, and 120 speakers, including businesses such as Marks and Spencer, Barratt Homes, Jaguar Land Rover. As well as policy and decision makers such as Laura Sandys, MP for South Thanet, and Josefina Lindblam, the Policy Officer for the European Commission and of course our two trustees Karen Cannard - The Rubbish Diet  and Gilli Hobbs - BRE.