ReBuilders accomplished so much in 2019! Below, you can see a snapshot of some of these accomplishments. From keeping over 3.2 million pounds of usable material out of landfills to teaching over 160 classes to selling materials to 53,000 members of the community, the ReBuilding Center is proud to be a part of the Portland reuse community. Thank you for your ongoing support, for being a part of the ReBuilding Center community, and for making a material difference!
Build Your Own Adventure
We empower students to develop practical skills through fun, hands-on classes. Our fully equipped wood shop and professional teaching staff welcome people of all skills levels. There are still plenty of openings in our March classes, so let’s play a game of “Build Your Own Adventure!”
The directions are simple: click on each answer, follow along, and find the perfect class for you!
build your own adventure
Are you interested in building your carpentry skills or your plumbing skills in March? (Note: our electrical classes are currently sold out, but stay tuned for our April schedule!)
CARPENTRY
Our education space is open to all and we strive to make every class a welcoming and comfortable environment. We offer classes specifically for those who identify as non-male to learn in a safe and supportive environment.
women-only CARPENTRY CLASSES
We currently have one women-only class with available spots in March
Women’s Intro to Carpentry: Boxes
Tuesday, March 24 | 5:30PM - 8:30PM | Class Ticket: $55
Learn how to accurately cut and assemble pieces to make a storage cube - aka “a box".
Sounds deceptively simple, but the skills you’ll acquire are the building blocks of furniture, cabinets, rough framing, or even just more boxes.
Not interested in Intro to Carpentry: Boxes right now?
Click here to see to the rest of our available carpentry class offerings.
CARPENTRY classes
Never used a power tool before? No problem! We have classes suited for all skills levels. Learn the basics in one of our beginner classes or build on your skills in an intermediate class.
beginner classes
From step stools to pictures frames, you’ll be able to take home a really cool project, and also new carpentry skills and confidence!
Intro to Carpentry: Step Stools
Class Ticket: $60
Saturday, March 7th
10:00AM - 1:30PM
Intro to Carpentry: Boxes
Class Ticket: $55
Saturday, March 14th
10:00AM - 1:00PM
Intro to Carpentry Tools
Class Ticket: $65
Saturday, March 21st
3:00PM - 6:30PM
Intro to Wall Framing
Class Ticket: $100
Thursday, March 26th
5:30PM - 8:30PM
Intro to Carpentry: Picture Frames
Class Ticket: $75
Saturday, March 28th
10:00AM - 2:00PM
intermediate classes
From remilling lumber to tablesaw bootcamp, you’ll be able to level-up your skills in these intermediate classes!
Tablesaw Bootcamp
Class Ticket: $100
Sunday, March 15th
2:30PM - 6:30PM
Remilling Lumber
Class Ticket: $85
Wednesday, March 25th
5:30PM - 9:00PM
Intro to Carpentry: Cutting Boards
Class Ticket: $100
Sunday, March 22nd and
Sunday, March 29th
2:30PM - 5:30PM
Intro to Woodworking: Divided Boxes
Class Ticket: $100
Saturday, March 21st
10:00AM - 2:00PM
PLUMBING
Come learn how to fix common plumbing problems without having to hire a plumber. Leaky faucets, running toilets, cracked fixtures, dripping drains... these things happen all the time. We’ll cover repairs as well as replacement of bathroom sink faucets and drains, water supply hoses, and toilets.
We have two plumbing classes with available spots in March:
DIY Plumbing Repairs
Class Ticket: $55
Thursday, March 17th
5:30PM - 8:00PM
Women’s DIY Plumbing Repairs Class Ticket: $55
Tuesday, March 31st
5:30PM - 8:00PM
As always, you can view all classes on our website, with scholarship options availalable!
Look out for April classes to be published in mid-March.
Salvaged Flooring 101
By: Claire Schilperoort, Salvage Specialist
Reclaimed flooring is a very commonly used salvaged building material, whether you are flooring a new area or changing up your existing flooring. To help demystify the process of choosing salvaged flooring for your project, I’ve laid out some salvaged flooring basics and demonstrated an example flooring project below!
How Much Material Will I Need?
(& See example project below of these steps in action!)
First and foremost, know the measurements of your space. This is critical for shopping, cost estimation, work bids, time, etc. To find square footage for square and rectangular spaces, simply multiply length by width. If you have an irregularly shaped space, this handy calculator is really helpful.
Many building material stores, like the ReBuilding Center, sell product by the linear foot (how long each piece is in feet). To be prepared, you will want to convert your flooring space’s square feet to linear feet. I like to use the online measuring tools on Trestlewood, as they are helpful and very easy to use.
If you are trying to match existing flooring, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Oftentimes, salvaged flooring has been refinished over the years. This means that the thickness of one floorboard can differ from another, but don’t let this scare you from choosing to reuse! If you plan to do a “patch job,” you’ll want to have a small sample of your flooring with you when you are shopping. If that’s not possible, try to take as precise measurements as possible, with extra attention to thickness and width.
Before/After Example of Refinished Reclaimed Flooring
How Much Will the Materials Cost?
Make sure to read through the example at the end. I run through how to use square or linear footage to estimate what new or salvage flooring may cost. Prices of flooring range quite a bit, from used engineered flooring to new hardwood flooring. But, generally speaking, buying salvaged can save an impressive chunk of change—including the ReBuilding Center’s discounts of 40-90% off retail/market value!
It is important to keep in mind the cost of refinishing salvaged floors once installed. Refinishing is not required, but you might want to depending on the aesthetic that you desire. Do your research, and know what you’re looking for—this can be incredibly helpful knowledge prior to shopping around! You can hire out for this service, but you can also rent the equipment and do it yourself!
Why Salvaged Flooring?
Did you know that production, transportation, and disposal of materials in the U.S. contributes to over 40% of domestic greenhouse gas emissions? When deciding between choosing to reuse versus buy new, it’s important to also consider the environmental impacts you will (or won’t be) making. Buying salvaged flooring means NOT buying new materials. By choosing to reuse and participate in the circular economy, you are preventing the huge impacts of new production.
Additionally, choosing to reuse means inheriting materials that have history! Some materials come from museums, old schools, or old Portland homes. How neat is it to be taking something that’s been used for a hundred years already, and giving it a full makeover and a fresh chapter of its story for many more years? Keeping things local and historical can also be very rewarding, not to mention a great conversation starter!
Example Flooring Project Calculations & Cost
1. Take area measurements. Let’s say this is my living room, which I’d like to remodel with 2-1/4”-wide oak flooring. It isn’t a perfect rectangle—but not too far off, so I would measure it as one. (This would give me slightly more flooring than I need, and I could assume that as overage). I’d call it a 26’ x 10’ room. To calculate the area: 26’ x 10’ = 260 Square Feet
Note: Although not included in calculations below, it is important to account for overage (cut boards/defective materials) which is usually recommended between 5-15%. I did not specifically include overage because it can vary depending on what the individual needs are per project.
2. Convert square feet to linear feet. Using Trestlewood, or any other calculating website, I’d plug in the data I have, including the width of the flooring I want (2-1/4” oak) to determine that I’d need 1,386.67 linear feet (12” sections) to fill this space.
3. Calculating the Cost and Get Shopping!
Now, for reference only, 2-1/4” by 3/4” thick new oak flooring retails at $3.46 per square foot at a common home improvement store. Buying new would put me at $899.60 (260 SF x $3.46).
ReBuilding Center prices fluctuate based on inventory, condition, lot size, etc. however, this dimension oak usually ranges from $0.25-0.40 per linear foot. That means $346.67-$554.69.
Even at higher end cost, I’d be saving $344.91, and at lower end $552.93 by purchasing salvaged—I am just FLOORED by these savings! A lot of projects or small remodels depend heavily on budget, so, if you’re caught in that struggle, keep in mind the savings you may find with choosing to buy used flooring, along with environmental impact, landfill struggles, historical value, and more.
Thanks for tuning in! I hope this 101 was helpful in breaking down the basics. There can be a learning curve when using reclaimed materials, but don’t let that stop you. With some dedication and time, anyone can become a DIYer. Come say hi to me in the lumberyard anytime, I’ll be happy to chat with you about your project!
Upcoming Community Events
There’s a lot to look forward to in the next month! Save the dates for natural building, repair and housing fairs, and creative reuse art shows:
Natural Building: Love Your Mud Meetup
Carvlin Hall
Thursday, February 27th
6:00PM-8:30PM
We’re so excited to be planning the repair of our cob bench with City Repair and Communitecture. Want to get involved? Check out City Repair’s meetup for folks interested in learning more about natural building and upcoming projects.
Fix-It Fair
Floyd Light Middle School
Saturday, February 29th
9:30AM-2:30PM
Connect with experts at this free community resource and learn simple ways to save money and be healthy all year long. All-day exhibits (we’ll be there!), workshops, health tests, financial consulting, free lunch and childcare, and more.
NAYA Housing to Homeownership Fair
NAYA Family Center
Saturday, March 14th
11:00AM-4:00PM
The Native American Youth and Family Center’s Housing to Homeownership Fair offers valuable information and resources with free food, educational workshops, vendor booths (come say hi to us!), and networking opportunities. Those interested in attending should register, here.
Artist: Heather Kolbo
“Reclamation” Opening Reception
Alberta Street Gallery
Thursday, March 26th
6:00-9:00PM
The Alberta Street Gallery is presenting the creative reuse of Brian Echerer, Kim Tepe, and Heather Kolbo. From up-cycled bike parts to fabric scraps to reclaimed wood, these artists use salvaged materials to explore the relationship between art and Earth.
Behind the Materials: Atelier Meridian
For every guest in the store, there’s a story behind why they are here, from projects large and small to no project at all (just stopping by to see what is in or to chat with the community).
Earlier this month, we learned that ReBuilding Center regular, Jane, was stopping into our store to pick up plexiglass for a printmaking event at Atelier Meridian later that evening. About a week later, we found ourselves in the 1,200-square-foot studio, learning about the art of printmaking and how reclaimed materials, resourcefulness, and passion have helped to make Atelier Meridian possible.
Atelier Meridian is a working print studio and artist community. Jane Pagliarulo co-founded Atelier Meridian over 13 years ago. The Atelier has been located in the Boise-Eliot neighborhood since it was founded and is currently located at River Street Studios. Right on the Willamette River, you’ll find print makers working, collaborating, and mingling at any time of day.
Jane has been shopping at the ReBuilding Center for years, first wandering in after the cob structure of our community trees caught her attention. “As an environmentalist, I do what I can to have as little of a negative impact on the planet as I can,” Jane explained. “As an artist, the affordability of the reclaimed materials is always a bonus.”
Jane demonstrated the use of a rosin box for etching, which she built from salvaged materials.
From larger projects, like a rosin box and a vacuum solvent table, to smaller projects, like the shelving used for storing ink, every corner of the Atelier is inhabited by reclaimed materials. Being a self-taught builder, Jane has been able to use her skills and the resources of the community to customize a studio.
The circular life of reclaimed materials is full of meaning. A flat file cabinet may live in a school, then a home, then a community art studio like Atelier Meridian; its usefulness being appreciated instead of forgotten in a landfill. By prioritizing reuse, we’re not only keeping materials from the landfill—together, we’re also preventing the huge environmental impacts caused by the production and consumption of new materials.
Is your home, studio, or business full of ReBuilding Center materials?
Send us an email at info@rebuildingcenter.org to share your story with us!
February's Finds
Today’s Finds is a weekly collection of some of our favorite items from the ReBuilding Center store! Are you signed up to receive the Finds via e-mail? Sign up below or, if you already receive our newsletter, update your preferences in MailChimp.
Did you see an item on the Finds and claimed it for your own? We love seeing your reuse projects! Share with us at info@rebuildingcenter.org.
All items are subject to availability.
We cannot guarantee that the items shown here will be available when you arrive. Call our store with any questions: 503-331-1877
New Year, New Finds
Today’s Finds is a weekly collection of some of our favorite items from the ReBuilding Center store! Are you signed up to receive the Finds via e-mail? Sign up here or, if you already receive our newsletter, update your preferences in MailChimp.
Did you see an item on the Finds and claimed it for your own? We love seeing your reuse projects! Share with us at info@rebuildingcenter.org.
All items are subject to availability.
We cannot guarantee that the items shown here will be available when you arrive. Call our store with any questions: 503-331-1877
5 Ways to Reuse in PDX
Was your New Year’s Resolution to rethink your consumption and reuse more in 2020? Are you looking for accessible and affordable community resources? Here are 5 ways (out of many more) to reuse in Portland:
Image via NEPTL
Borrow a Tool
Tool libraries are just like traditional libraries, but with tools instead of books. The Northeast Portland Tool Library lends out home-repair and gardening tools, free of charge, to Northeast residents and community groups. If you don’t live in NE Portland, there are three others around town - Green Lents, Southeast, and North Portland. Instead of purchasing a brand new tool you may only need to use once, check out the resources that our local tool libraries have to offer.
Image via SCRAP
Get Crafty at SCRAP
Just as the ReBuilding Center reclaims building materials, SCRAP reclaims crafting and art supplies. SCRAP is located on SW Alder Street and is a great resource for reclaimed fabric, scrap booking materials, office supplies, plastic, yarn, and more! If you’re a teacher, you can get a 10% discount on all school supplies every Sunday. And if you’re not a teacher, their materials are always priced at a 60-75% discount. (Fun fact: SCRAP used to occupy a part of the building we have now!)
Image via Free Geek
Plug In with Free Geek
Free Geek’s mission is to sustainably reuse technology, enable digital access, and provide education to create a community that empowers people to realize their potential. Free Geeks sells a wide variety of electronics, including smartphones, tablets, e-readers, video systems, and much more. Located on SE 10th Avenue, they’re also a participant of the Oregon E-Cycles program.
Reuse through Repair
Repair PDX hosts Repair Cafes all over the Portland Metro Area with experts on hand to fix items and to teach you how to fix your own items. Repair Cafes are free and staffed by dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers. Next time you have an item that needs a quick fix, instead of ditching it, check out a Repair Cafe. The ReBuilding Center typically hosts at least one Repair Cafe each year!
Image via St Johns Swap & Play
Swap and Play
St. Johns Swap & Play is a neighborhood indoor play space where families connect, swap, and share resources. There is a shared play space and swapping rooms where books, toys, clothes, and more can be shared. Memberships are available for as low as $15, with work-trade and scholarships available. Some other neighborhood co-ops in the Portland are Eastside Swap & Play, Southside Swap and Play, Woodlawn Swap ‘N’ Play, and Harrison Hill Swap N Play.
It's All About the Process(ing)
If you are a regular at our North Mississippi Avenue store, you may have noticed our large window section has been moved to make room for a whole new area.
We recently received a Metro Investment and Innovation Program Grant to help fund the development of a centralized material processing and pricing area in our store. These improvements will enable us to more effectively receive, process, and sell reusable building materials to you—our community—at great prices. They will also allow us to increase equity in our service and empower store staff to focus on customer service and education about reuse.
Our Process Improvement Coordinator, Chris, has been hard at work to bring the processing area to a reality. It is still under construction, but will see gradual use over the next couple of weeks. In addition to developing this new space, the Metro Grant also allowed us to hire two full-time Donation Processing Specialists, Deshawnte and Will. They will be moving, cleaning, unboxing, assembling, repairing, researching, pricing, and stocking donated materials in an efficient and orderly manner. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the team!
How will this affect you?
Well, for our material donors, nothing will change. You will still be able to donate materials on the Mississippi Avenue side and in the alleyway. If you need a refresher on donating building materials to us, check out our Material Donation FAQs.
For our customers, you can look forward to a couple of changes. Gradually, you will see an improvement in more items on our floor being labeled with a price. Our Donation Processing Specialists will be able to properly assess more material donations and price them at 40%-90% off market value. With time, you will see more complete, finished, and organized products on the floor.
Overall, our goal is to ensure fair and consistent pricing and to find more efficiencies in our material processing—to make the customer experience as positive as possible. We’re excited to share these plans with you and look forward to making these goals a reality!
Less Waste, More Skills
In 2019, over 1,500 people took a class at the ReBuilding Center. Students bring the Education Shop to life—learning new skills, operating power tools, and sharing stories of empowerment.
We recently chatted with Stacy, who has taken Women’s Intro to Electrical and Intro to Carpentry: Boxes, about her experience as a student in our Education Shop.
Photo + Video courtesy of Stacy
How did you feel before your first class vs. after?
Before my first class, I thought I couldn’t do anything with my hands and would probably just be listening to the instructor, watching other people. I didn’t think I would complete or accomplish much because I didn’t want to hold the rest of the class back, waiting for me. During my first class, I was able to ask questions comfortably, make mistakes, and had well-enough time to learn and get all tasks completed. After my first class, I felt like I really could change a light fixture, etc. at my apartment.
What is your favorite aspect of learning a new skill?
It’s so humbling to learn something new, and I feel a great level of accomplishment when I do. I love learning a new skill because it reminds me that there are so many great, new things to experience and see in life.
Why is reuse important to you?
The ability to reuse and build with reclaimed materials is important to me because it helps to avoid waste. I get kind of down when I think about the negative environmental impact people have on the world, and reusing reclaimed materials helps combat that, while making really cool, unique items.
Anything else?
Thanks to Vii last night. They answered every silly question I had and helped me build my confidence in using tools I thought were kinda scary!
Interested in building your skills with us?
Check out our current classes at www.rebuildingcenter.org/education.
Instructor Highlight: Vii
Instructors are oftentimes hidden gems at the ReBuilding Center. Tucked away in the education shop on weeknights and weekends, they teach valuable building and repair skills, all centered around reclaimed materials. Instructor Vii Curbelo is no different. They have been teaching, laughing, and bringing joy to the education shop for around a year now. We sat down with Vii and chatted with them about their work here at the ReBuilding Center.
Si está interesado en leer esta entrevista en español, haga clic aquí.
How did you first get involved with the trades and the ReBuilding Center?
A few years back, I became very interested in the Tiny House movement. I’ve always been nomadic and have worked towards becoming a minimalist, so naturally this movement really appealed to me. Because of this, I became interested in the trades. One day, I was on the bus, and I mentioned to someone that I was interested in the trades and was hoping to become an electrician. They told me about this pre-apprenticeship program called Constructing Hope. It was there that I realized how much I enjoyed woodworking and carpentry. I used my first sawzall, and it felt so natural. It felt like I was meant for it.
I sort of stumbled upon the Instructor position at the ReBuilding Center. I have always enjoyed being around people, so the ReBuilding Center’s focus on community has really kept me engaged and involved. I serve this organization as a person living within many intersectionalities, and I look forward to being a tool to help reach and connect with others who have similar lived experiences. The ReBuilding Center has given me a chance to teach, but also has allowed me to continue learning myself.
What’s your favorite part of being an Instructor?
I have always wanted to help people, but my past work experiences have focused much more on sales and productivity. Being in an environment like the ReBuilding Center is very fulfilling because I have the ability to give back with the sole goal of teaching and providing access.
When I teach a women’s class, there is always such a large sense of empowerment in the room. Folks are expressing it all the time. That’s dear to my heart.
I have heard so many stories about how women were only allowed to take Home Ec classes and not allowed in the shop growing up. The generational effect this has had on folks is huge. Creating the space to empower those who have historically been pushed out allows for folks to start shedding fears and insecurities. I look forward to providing space and encouraging non-binary, trans & gender-fluid folks to also lean into our building community.
What’s a favorite story from your time at the ReBuilding Center?
Ah, I have so many. One comes to mind from an Intro to Carpentry: Boxes class. There are many techniques you can use to construct the box—oftentimes we use the fence technique, allowing folks to work independently. This time around I decided to use a buddy system so two people would work together. There were two women who were having such a good time together. They were making plans to get together and build projects in the future. I assumed they were long-time friends, but at the end of class, I learned that they had just met each other. The connections that people make in class can be so impactful, and it’s very heartwarming to experience.
What is on your mind for 2020?
Personally, I am so excited for 2020. It’s a new decade and an opportunity to take what we have learned and start fresh. Recently, the ReBuilding Center staff got together to create a plan for what we want to accomplish. We have concrete goals for 2020 on paper. It is exciting because there is so much to look forward to in the organization. Specifically, I am excited about the plan to start developing Spanish-speaking classes. It will be a learning curve for all of us, but it is an exciting project.
Additionally, our team recently participated in a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. I gathered so much insight & I believe we can all agree that our heart as an organization is in the right place, but we have much work to do to keep pushing the needle forward. The POC (Person of Color) experience is often feeling inadequate and being labeled a minority; insinuating we are less than, and I look forward to seeing how the ReBuilding Center will be here to lift up the POC community and hone in on racial equity work in the coming year.
Follow Vii’s education page on Instagram at @vii.builds and sign up for a ReBuilding Center class at rebuildingcenter.org/education!
entrevista en español
Los instructores suelen ser joyas ocultas en el ReBuilding Center. Escondidos en la clase de educación los fines de semana y algunas noches de la semana, enseñan valiosas habilidades de construcción y reparación, todo centrado en materiales recuperados. Instructor Vii Curbelo es una de las joyas. Han estado enseñando, riendo y alegrando el espacio de educación durante aproximadamente un año. Nos sentamos con Vii y conversamos con elle sobre su trabajo aquí en el Centro de Reconstrucción.
¿Cómo se involucró por primera vez con los oficios de carpintería y nuestra organización?
Tenía interés en estos oficios y esperaba ser electricista. Me contaron sobre un programa de pre-aprendizaje llamado Constructing Hope. Fue allí donde me di cuenta de lo mucho que disfrutaba la carpintería y trabajando con la madera. Usé mi primer serrucho mecánico, y se sentía tan natural. Se sentía como si fuera mi destino.
Me topé con el puesto de Instructor en el ReBuilding Center. Siempre me ha gustado estar rodeado de personas y ayudar a las personas, y encontré que el enfoque del ReBuilding Center en la comunidad realmente me mantiene con una gran involucración y un gran compromiso. Sirvo a esta organización como una persona que vive dentro de muchas interseccionalidades, y espero ser una herramienta para ayudar a alcanzar y conectar con otros que tienen experiencias de vida similares. El Rebuilding Center me ha dado la oportunidad de enseñar y ayudar a los estudiantes, pero también me ha permitido seguir aprendiendo más.
¿Cuál es tu parte favorita de ser instructor?
Siempre quise ayudar a las personas, pero mis experiencias en trabajos anteriores se han centrado mucho más en las ventas y la productividad. Estar en un ambiente como el ReBuilding Center es muy gratificante porque tengo la capacidad de retribuir con el único objetivo de enseñar y brindar acceso.
Cuando enseño en las clases de solo mujeres, siempre hay un gran sentido de empoderamiento en la sala. La gente expresa eso todo el tiempo. Eso crea un impacto profundo.
He escuchado muchas historias sobre cómo a las mujeres solo se les permitía tomar clases de economía doméstica y no se les permitía aprender habilidades trabajando con madera o construcción. El efecto generacional que esto ha tenido entre personas que no se identifican como hombre es enorme. Crear el espacio para empoderar a aquellos que históricamente han sido expulsados permite a las personas comenzar a deshacerse de los temores y las inseguridades. Espero proporcionar espacio y encorajar a las personas no binarias, trans y de género fluido a que también estén presentes en nuestra comunidad de construcción.
¿Cuál es tu historia favorita de tu tiempo en el ReBuilding Center?
Ah, tengo muchas. Mi favorita paso durante una clase de introducción a la carpintería: cajas de madera. Hay muchas técnicas que puede usar para construir la caja; a menudo usamos la técnica de cercado, lo que permite a las personas trabajar de forma independiente. Esta vez decidí usar un sistema de amigos para que dos personas trabajaran juntas. Había dos mujeres que la estaban pasando tan bien juntas. Estaban haciendo planes para reunirse y construir proyectos en el futuro. Asumí que eran amigas desde hace mucho tiempo, pero al final de la clase, me dijeron que se acababan de conocer. Las conexiones que las personas hacen en clase pueden ser muy impactantes y es muy conmovedor experimentarlas.
¿Qué tienes en mente para 2020?
Personalmente, siento mucha emoción entrando al 2020. Es una nueva década y una oportunidad para aprovechar lo que hemos aprendido y comenzar de nuevo. Recientemente, el personal del ReBuilding Center se reunió para crear un plan para lo que queremos lograr. Tenemos objetivos concretos para 2020 en papel. Es emocionante porque hay mucho que esperar en la organización. Específicamente, siento entusiasmo con el plan para comenzar a desarrollar clases en español. Será una curva de aprendizaje para todos, pero es un proyecto emocionante.
Además, nuestro equipo recientemente participó en un entrenamiento de Diversidad, Equidad e Inclusión. Reuní mucha información y creo que todos podemos estar de acuerdo en que nuestro corazón como organización está en el lugar correcto, pero tenemos mucho trabajo por hacer para seguir empujando la aguja hacia adelante. La experiencia de POC (personas de color) a menudo se siente inadecuada y siempre oímos que somos considerados una minoría; insinuando que somos menos, y espero ver cómo el Rebuilding Center estará aquí para elevar a la comunidad POC y afinar el trabajo de equidad racial en el próximo año.
ReBuilding Center Gift Guide
Are you on the lookout for holiday gift ideas? Consider imparting a gift that will keep on giving, promotes reuse and self-sufficiency, and helps divert materials from the waste stream (two of our favorite things).
From building your own present out of reclaimed materials, to purchasing a Salvage Supporter gift membership, to finding an item in our store, check out our ReBuilding Center Gift Guide:
Store Gift Card
The ReBuilding Center offers gift certificates for all your building, crafting, repair, and creative needs. Whether your gift recipient needs lumber, hardware, a vintage door, or seating salvaged from Portland, there’s a treasure for everyone at the ReBuilding Center! Stop by the store register to purchase a gift card.
class Gift Certificate
From Intro to Carpentry: Tables and Benches to DIY Plumbing Repairs and Replacements, ReBuilding Center classes are perfect for anyone looking to build their carpentry, plumbing, and electrical skills. Purchase a Class Gift Certificate anytime on our website. Click here to buy one today!
Education Classes
Build your skills and walk away with a handmade gift to give! Our wide range of fun, hands-on classes help students develop practical building and repair skills while working with reclaimed materials.
Intro to Carpentry: Picture Frames
Sunday, December 7
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wooden Toys: Hopping Animals
Saturday, December 14
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Intro to Woodworking: Divided Boxes
Saturday, December 21
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Creative Reuse Ideas
Or get crafty and make your own presents this year out of reclaimed ReBuilding Center materials! We’ve compiled some of our favorite Pinterest boards full of inspiration, and check out our Instagram, which is full of creative reuse projects from our community.
And, last but not least…
Give the Gift of Membership
Salvage Supporter memberships demonstrate support of an inclusive reuse economy and strengthen our work to ensure access to affordable reclaimed home improvement materials, education, and repair skills!
Salvage Supporters support this work and experience great members-only sales, store and class discounts, entry in monthly prize drawings, and receive special ReBuilding Center swag.
Purchase a Salvage Supporter Membership as a gift, here.
Learn more about ReBuilding Center membership, here.
Today's Finds: Winter is Coming Archive
Today’s Finds is a weekly collection of some of our favorite items from the ReBuilding Center store! Are you signed up to receive the Finds via e-mail? Sign up here or, if you already receive our newsletter, update your preferences in MailChimp.
View the November 7th Finds, here.
View the November 14th Finds, here.
View the November 21st Finds, here.
View the December 5th Finds, here.
View the December 12th Finds, here.
Did you see an item on the Finds and claimed it for your own? We love seeing your reuse projects! Share with us at info@rebuildingcenter.org.
Do Good. Give!Guide 2019 is Here!
It's that time of year to factor your favorite local nonprofits into your holiday giving! The ReBuilding Center has once again been selected for Willamette Week's Give!Guide.
How can you support the ReBuilding Center through Give!Guide?
Give HERE to the ReBuilding Center between now and December 31.
Donations of $100 or more are matched 1:1 by our business partners, ¿Por Qué No? Taquería and Mississippi Pizza! And, if you're 35 or younger, you get a free pint from StormBreaker Brewing!
But wait, there's more!
If you donate on Big Give Days, you'll be entered to win HUGE Give!Guide-sponsored prizes like food packages, shopping expeditions, spectacular getaways, VIP entertainment packages, and more.
Are you in?
Every dollar you donate from now until December 31 will help the ReBuilding Center keep our prices low, our store full of useful reclaimed treasures, and our education programming meeting the repair skills needs of our community.
We thank you in advance for your ongoing support; without it, we couldn't do what we do every day.
P.S. The ReBuilding Center is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, so all of your donations are tax-deductible.
You can support our nonprofit impact through Give!Guide. Every dollar donated will help us keep our prices low, our store full of useful reclaimed treasures, and our education programming meeting the repair skills needs of our community.
— ReBuilding Center (@ReBuildingCtr) November 12, 2019
Give today: https://t.co/v67jZqET8x 💚 pic.twitter.com/YW55jiR3ma
We’re so lucky to hear “I love that place!” often, but even more lucky to play a part in every ReBuilder’s story of impact.
— ReBuilding Center (@ReBuildingCtr) November 5, 2019
YOU can support our nonprofit impact through Willamette Week Give!Guide. Give today: https://t.co/v67jZqET8x 💚 pic.twitter.com/ERDU9m5keU
From Volunteer to Shop Coordinator
Many of our staff start out as volunteers, and that was no different for Jenny Breed, who recently joined us as Shop Coordinator. We sat down with Jenny and chatted with her about her work here at the ReBuilding Center:
How did you first get involved at the ReBuilding Center?
I was looking for a career change, and learned about deconstruction while attending an Oregon Tradeswomen graduation for a friend. The concept of deconstruction resonated with me immediately—I have a degree in Archaeology, and deconstruction feels like a very hands-on way to interact with history. While waiting to do an apprenticeship, I got impatient and did a Google search for similar opportunities. The ReBuilding Center popped up, and I signed up to volunteer earlier this summer. Aaron (ReBuilding Center’s Program Coordinator) immediately took me in and I started regularly volunteering in the shop twice a week. When Aaron went on paternity leave, I was more than happy to help fill some of his responsibilities as a Shop Coordinator.
How were you introduced to woodworking/carpentry?
A few years back, I picked up a job helping with home repair. Initially, I was only helping with cleaning, but I very quickly started to absorb anything that my coworkers would show me. It was on this job where I first learned how to use a table saw, cut door frames, patch drywall, etc. Working with my hands was enjoyable, and being able to see a tangible result was very rewarding.
What is your favorite part of being Shop Coordinator?
When I first walked into the ReBuilding Center shop, I immediately felt trusted and empowered to do new things. There was an automatic trust here that I’m not used to experiencing. Getting to be a part of other people experiencing these same things is rewarding. I am able to show people power tools they’ve never used and sometimes are intimidated to use; I am able to empower others like I was empowered.
Why do you choose the ReBuilding Center?
A lot of what we do here has become a forgotten art because it’s so common to hire someone else and not think about the actual work. By making repair and building skills more accessible to learn, we become more able to be self-sufficient. This has a great affect on people, especially those who have been pushed away from learning these skills.
Anything else?
I have learned how meaningful reclaimed material can be. During each shift, I go out to the lumberyard with volunteers and pull reclaimed material to use in classes. Someone may donate a beat-up 2-by-4 that ends up being a treasured piece of a bench that someone made after learning how to use a drill for the first time. It’s a cycle that shouldn’t be ignored.
We are so glad to have Jenny on board! If you’re interested volunteering with Jenny in the shop, fill out a volunteer application here.
I ♥ Reuse: Thank You!
We are feeling the love. Over 130 attending, 20 founding Salvage Supporter members, and over $12,000 raised to support the ReBuilding Center!
Thank you to all who attended, sponsored, and supported the launch party, as well as those who are part of our reuse community every day.
If you missed the event and are curious about our new membership program with perks for giving, ask at the register or visit rebuildingcenter.org/join.
Check out the rest of the Photo Booth masterpieces, here!
A huge thank you to all of our event sponsors and supporters, including:
Bridges Cafe & Catering
Ruby Jewel Ice Cream
Stormbreaker Brewing
Townshend’s Tea
Seven Bridges Winery
Peter Corvallis Productions
Pistils Nursery
Print Results
McMenamins
Living Room Realty
CSNW Benefits
JD Fulwiler & Co. Insurance, Inc.
Faster Connections IT Services
McDonald Jacobs, PC
OnPoint Community Credit Union
Safety Northwest LLC
Urban Patterns
Walsh Construction Co.
A North Mississippi Masterpiece
Over the years, the ReBuilding Center has been fortunate to collaborate with local artists and community organizations to bring beauty and placemaking through art to our building on North Mississippi Avenue. Most recently, Forest for the Trees facilitated the installation of a new mural on our building with local artists, Nia Musiba and Pace Taylor.
The exterior wall before the mural.
Nia and Pace’s work can be found towards the north end of our building, facing Mississippi Avenue. Previously, this area was unassuming, but now, it is a must-see. With vibrant colors, Pace and Nia’s mural work brings forth representations of identities to which much of our community can relate. If you haven’t experienced it yet, here is a snapshot of their work:
Forest for the Trees organizer Gage Hamilton says, “Forest for the Trees is a nonprofit that focuses on ensuring the role of artists in the visual landscape of Portland, as well as around the state. We have produced over 90 contemporary public murals over the past 7 years, showcasing the work of local, national, and international artists from nearly 20 countries.” Learn more about their work, here.
We are incredibly grateful to Forest for the Trees for facilitating this process and to both Nia and Pace for bringing such creativity and unique talent to the canvas of our building. Artists Nia and Pace reflected on their experiences via Instagram (see below). Give ‘em a read, and be sure to stop and admire their work the next time you’re walking past!
Nia Musiba
(Photo Credit: Abraham Lopez)
Pace Taylor
(Photo Credit: Abraham Lopez)
Behind the Materials: Beetroot Market & Deli
For every guest in the store, there’s a story behind why they are here, from projects large and small to no project at all (just stopping by to see what is in or to chat with the community).
Back in July, we snapped a photo of ReBuilding Center regular, Daniel Goers, and Salvage Specialist, Alex. We learned that Daniel was working on a build out at Beetroot Market & Deli, using ReBuilding Center reclaimed lumber.
Beetroot Market & Deli is a modern NW Jewish deli and specialty food store located at 1639 NW Glisan Street. Sonya Sanford, Executive Chef and Owner, opened Beetroot in mid-August of this year. In preparation for the opening, Sonya worked with Daniel to build out an interior with reclaimed materials.
Daniel Goers, of Goers Design, has been shopping at the ReBuilding Center for a few years now. With a background in furniture making and design, he first started reusing building materials in 2011 while living in New York City. While passing by construction projects, he noticed people were throwing away perfectly usable lumber. Over the years, Daniel developed a deep appreciation for local materials and the beauty of old-growth lumber. He feels compelled to use reclaimed material, rather than purchasing new.
Now that Beetroot is officially up and running, we stopped by on a sunny afternoon to check out the finish projects and to chat with Daniel about his experience using reclaimed materials in the space. (Cont’d below)
Daniel solely used reclaimed Douglas Fir 2” x 4”s for every piece in Beetroot, from the tables to the shelves. Daniel made the space feel bright and airy by using a clear finish to show off the natural beauty of the Douglas Fir and a white wash on certain pieces to add focal points.
“This project was able to stay low-budget because of resources like the ReBuilding Center,” Daniel explained. “I was able to produce high quality projects because of the ability to use reclaimed old growth lumber.”
Beetroot’s space is simple and modern, but has a clear attention to detail. From the bussing station to the condiment shelf, Daniel’s craftsmanship and appreciation for salvaged lumber shines through. Check out the space for yourself, and pick up a delicious sandwich or yummy treat while you’re at it. Beetroot is open Sunday-Friday from 8AM-4PM.
Side Note: Sonya even donated some material that she inherited from the NW Glisan building to our store! One donation was a custom bar that ended up finding a home at Black Book Guitars, our neighbor across the street. Check it out, here!
Are you interesting in learning how to build your own projects out of reclaimed materials? ReBuilding Center classes like Remilling Lumber: Rough to Finish Material or Intro to Carpentry Tools are great starting points. Come build your skills with us!
Today's Finds: Autumn Archive
Today’s Finds is a weekly collection of some of our favorite items from the ReBuilding Center store! Are you signed up to receive the Finds via e-mail? Sign up here or, if you already receive our newsletter, update your preferences in MailChimp.
View the September 5th Finds, here.
View the September 12th Finds, here.
View the September 25th Finds, here.
View the October 10th Finds, here.
View the October 24th Finds, here.
Did you see an item on the Finds and claimed it for your own? We love seeing your reuse projects! Share with us at info@rebuildingcenter.org.
Fall Into Creative Reuse
Fall is just around the corner and it is the perfect time to finish projects before winter rolls around! Every week we re-post a creative reuse project on our Instagram to spread reuse inspiration. From dresses to planter boxes, we love seeing every project completed with materials that once found their way through the ReBuilding Center. Check out this compilation of projects recently shared with us - maybe they’ll even find their way to your project list!
Reclaimed Window Greenhouse
@noal_pdx
Debris Netting Dress
@babiesbekind
Reclaimed Wood Planter Box
@theartofwoodpdx
Garden Sink
Anne Marie, ReBuilder
Reclaimed Pendant Light
@jamieleeeeejackson
Reclaimed Boat Light Fixture
ReBuilding Center
Reclaimed Cabinet Bed Frame
Kristine, ReBuilder
Reclaimed Cedar Planter Box
Claire, Salvage Specialist
Jewelry Storage
Lynette, ReBuilder
Reclaimed Wood Utility Box Cover
Lynette, ReBuilder
Reclaimed Drawer Shelf
ReBuilding Center
Reclaimed Wood Stool
@moss__503
Reclaimed Wood Display Shelf
@evelonian
Reclaimed Material Dog Gate
Lynne, ReBuilder
Reclaimed Wood Wall
@danstark
Reclaimed Door Bench
ReBuilder
Have you completed any projects using ReBuilding Center materials?
Send some photos our way to info@rebuildingcenter.org!