If you are seeking to fulfill a crafty itch, have a pile of donatable goods after spring cleaning, or simply wish to help the community in a creative way, look no further than Upsy Daisy Creative Reuse Center, located at 3261 George Washington Memorial Highway in Hayes.
The new 501(c)(3) nonprofit, associated with Bethany United Methodist Church, opened early last month with the purpose of helping support missions in the Gloucester County area through the money it raises. The center sells donated arts and craft supplies for a discounted price, and also has some finished products for sale.
In addition to its monetary support of causes in Gloucester, Upsy Daisy is also a place for craft supplies to be repurposed or remade into something new. One goal of the nonprofit is to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills.
Upsy Daisy would also like to make supply donations to teachers and students, hold craft classes and demonstrations and create craft packs for children.
In all these ways, and more, Upsy Daisy is seeking to be a resource for Gloucester.
“That’s what we’re here for—to help out,” said Cathy Raines, creator of Upsy Daisy.
The center is also a place for crafters to buy inexpensive supplies for their projects. “The prices are very reasonable,” said volunteer Judy Burner.
Upsy Daisy weighs all of the donations it receives. According to Raines, the center saved 1,400 pounds of supplies from the landfill in the month of April alone.
The center is also going to start holding classes, such as basket weaving, sewing and stained glass. It is currently taking class suggestions from the community. Another goal of the center is to have a social craft group, possibly beginning in the fall, and be a place for people to have a cup of coffee and receive craft help.
Upsy Daisy is also seeking to take crafters on consignment, where the center will keep a percentage of the sales.
In addition to the consignment opportunity, Upsy Daisy is also seeking to rent two office spaces in the upstairs area of the shop.
Upsy Daisy is in need of volunteers for three-hour shifts. It is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The center would like to be open for more hours, but needs more volunteers to do so.
“It’s fun for all of us,” said Raines about volunteering.
Volunteers are needed for wood projects, organizing donations, decorating, cashiering, pricing, packaging, sewing projects, teaching craft classes, creating kits and lesson plans, and refinishing furniture.
Donations needed include vintage solid wood furniture, vintage cabinet pulls/knobs, old wooden windows, clean and usable art/craft supplies, fabric, yarn, trim, ribbon, working sewing machines, vintage buttons, denim clothing, wood boards/scraps/blocks, ping pong balls, golf balls, corks, bottle caps, seashells, mason jars, costume jewelry, beads/jewelry findings and supplies/tools, office/school supplies, scrapbook paper, frames and albums, maps, easels, candles and wax, old National Geographic magazines, books (art/craft/magazines), greeting cards, stationery, cameras/photography supplies, and artwork/sculptures/drawings.
“One person’s trash is somebody else’s treasure,” said Raines.
To learn more, visit the center or call 757-940-3261.
Upsy Daisy is hard to miss. Just look for the place with the yellow door.