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Showing posts with label The Freecycle Network™. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Freecycle Network™. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Second-Time Around Tuesday – Freecycle-d Treasures


Diane hosts "Second Time Around" at A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words. See more participants at her blog.


Three or More Tuesday is sponsored by Tam at The Gypsy's Corner. Please visit her for more participating posts.

Have you visited Bill’s blog, Affordable Accoutrements yet? It is very well written and presents fascinating information and examples of home décor ideas. In his post for "Monday August 3, 2009 "Fetish for Flatware?" Bill shared his collection of flatware and showed a photo of the closet interior where he stored his flatware. The majority of the flatware were stored in various silverware chests. Since I have three flatware sets that are just vying for space in two kitchen drawers, I thought, "Ahh I need one of those flatware boxes to control my flatware better!

A few days after reading Bill’s post, I received an email notice from Freecycle listing things available and things needed by individual listers. Freecycle is a program by which people can get rid of things they no longer need, or make requests for things they do need. Through Freecycle I have given away a sewing machine, a TV-VCR, books and tapes. But I had not seen anything I needed until I read about a free silverware chest that was available.

It turned out that the neighborhood of the person making the offer was not far from my own. So after speaking with her by phone, off I went to see it. Here is the chest. It does have some scratches but is in good condition overall.

The inside fittings hold 12 knives plus the other flatware pieces stacked in the slots.
As I was about to step out the door she said; "I also have some crystal -- vase and bowl -- if you are interested."
"Vases?" I said. "Oh sure, I’m interested."
Inviting me into the kitchen, she pulled over a box and took out a vase, a matching square bowl and an oval tray – all lovely lead crystal.


Then she took out two pairs of salt and peppers. One set is glass with silverplated tops.
The other is lead crystal and also has silverplated tops, standing at 7 inches tall.
The sticker on the bottom reads "Shannon/ Crystal/ Designs of Ireland/ 24% Lead Crystal/ Hand Crafted/ China’" It is manufactured by Godinger and has MRP of $37.99.
I said, "Ah, but these are family heirlooms!" But she replied, "No, we just have them around and never use them."

Talk about a lovely and unexpected chance to give these items a new home!
These items will join others of my salt and pepper, vases, and decorative bowls. I can see the bowl filled with glass balls during the holidays. The vase will be lovely with fresh flowers.
I have Bill to thank for posting about his silverware collection and sharing his photos of his storage cabinet. So... Many Thanks, Bill!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

The Art of Giving and Gifting the Freecycle Way



A favorite among the large books kept in the living room at Oak Rise Cottage is The Art of Giving by Stuart E. Jacobson(Harry N. Abrams, 1987). This beautifully photographed book regales the reader with a variety of beautiful gifts, and pictures of the gift recipient and/or giver. The text provides insight into the meaning of the gift to the giver and receiver. It is truly a great read.

Some gifts are magnificient; some have more than a bit of whimsy. However, each is very well received.




The photos above show the custom-made monkeys and glass head of Beethoven this couple gave each other.

Today, I experienced another type of gift giving. Having joined just a few days ago, I posted my first two offers to the Freecycle Network yesterday evening around 6 p.m. I kept waiting to see the posts come up on the screen, but didn’t. So I logged off, and went about other matters. This afternoon I checked my e-mail to find nearly 30 requests for my two posts.

I contacted the first e-mailer and she came for the Kenmore sewing machine by 4 p.m. She was thrilled to get the machine, since hers had broken down just as she is redecorating her home. The second post, for a 19-inch TV/VCR, had almost as many requests as the sewing machine. Also, many of them indicated interest in the sewing machine as well as the TV!
The TV is scheduled for pickup tomorrow at 6 p.m.

A year ago I had seen a program on TV about the Freecycle movement. It seems to be a great way for people to give away things that they no longer need or want to those who welcome those items. In addition, it provides a forum for people to do ‘Wanted’ posts to let others know what their needs are. Here is their website: http://www.freecycle.org/
The site states that “The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,136 groups with 3,936,000 members across the globe.”

Next Tuesday the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Boston will be coming to my street to pick up clothing and household items. So this is another convenient way to dispose of useful but unneeded things around the house.

You may wish to see what venues your area has for gifting others with things they can use, but which are no longer of value to you.