Giveaway! South African upcycling, refined | the ReFab Diaries

If you entered the last South-Africa-related giveaway, then you know RSA is home for me ... and I recently returned from a month of summer! In my last SA-upcycling post, I focused on crafts consisting, primarily, of repurposed soda cans. In this post, I want to show a more varied mix of "art"and craft. Work that pushes the definition of "repurposing" ... work that highlights color, street-art sensibility, creative mixing of media and, yes, includes a whole lot of "found" materials. 

Like wood scraps. I love this kind of mixed media stuff... so I was delighted by these coloful pieces of continental drift ... 

Scroll down for much more, and a chance to win a hand-made piece of your own! 

Forgive the irreverence, but the face of Madiba (Mandela) is used (and re-used) everywhere. Bottom right is the Mandela Capture site Memorial... a breathtaking installation.


Out and about in Cape Town and the peninsula ... I loved the color everywhere!


Repurposing old appliances and bathroom "pieces" outdoors is popular - everywhere I think! Bottom right: glass-bottle garden borders.


I fell in love with these tables! Especially the multi-level mishmash coffee tables created using old wine crates, silverware cases, mis-matched table legs etc.


I saw lots of great upcycled jewelry and interior accessories ... how about that chandelier??!!


Fun with playing cards. From store displays to a little SA slang (howzit!)


Repurposed books and maps! The "I love chaos" pieces are constructed using old maps and clock mechanisms... so they move.


I wouldn't be South Africa if I wasn't tripping over tons of wire and bead work. I bought myself a bouquet of flowers bead flowers and a few local creatures ... one of which I'm giving away:



Here he is! Enter below for a chance to win the wire and bead ostrich pictured above! ($25 value) 

Giveaway opens 12:01am EST Mon, 2/25 and ends Sat, 3/2 at midnight. WINNER announced Mon 3/4. It's easy to score multiple entries and increase your chances of winning - see below for details... (Open to the citizens of the wolrld, 18 and older.)  Yes, I'm happy to send a bit of South Africa anywhere USPS ships!  This quirky ostrich measure approx 5"H x 4"W. He's very solidly made and bends rather than breaks - that means he'll survive in a home with kids!





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  1. Such great ideas, I love the stove with the 4 plant pots in the burners! Repurposing is fantastic and unique. Love the beaded ostrich, thanks for the chance to adopt him!
    like2sweep@gmail.com
    jbmthill
    Beth H

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  2. The ostrich is so awesome! My Dad used to have an ostrich ranch, so I'd really love to win this for him.:)

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  3. i repinned http://pinterest.com/pin/287737863664666314/

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  4. I love all of them, especially the hand-made wire and bead ostrich looks so so creative and awesome! I really love it! ("fingers crossed")
    Thank You for the chance to enter!

    Fiona N
    iceyogurt(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. the ostrich is so cute... would go great by my elephant that i got for christmas

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  6. I love everything!! The Ostrich is beautiful!

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  7. I Love the ostrich!!! Everything is amazing, I enjoyed taking my time looking close at all of the little details and unique quirks. Thank you for the giveaway, I'm glad I 'found' you :) (Raine on the rafflecopter)

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  8. I love up-cycled & handmade items. The ostrich is so cute!!!

    seashell210 at gmail dot com

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  9. I love the art so unique and creative and the ostrich how awesome

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  10. I really like it! Some amazing unique gift ideas!

    chris.baylorbear (at) gmail (dot) com

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  11. The ostrich is certainly striking. It will make people do a double take I think. Thanks for the giveaway. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

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  12. i love your work,,original and simple,,just great,,would make great unique gifts for family etc
    goldengirl7763@hotmail.com

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  13. Thanks so much for the chance!

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  14. I love the beadwork.
    eugeniewu at gmail dot com

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  15. I like the flower beads bouquet - so colorful and cool.

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  16. I love those beaded flower pots in the picture! I wonder if I can convince the kids to try it as a craft project...

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  17. What amazing creations!

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  18. what a beautiful little ostrich!!
    fb: rab pom

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  19. what a fabulous piece of art...i love it

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  20. This is a very unique piece of art!

    ontariohappychick at gmail dot com

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  21. That is so neat! I love how each item is unique, who doesn't love something that is unique :)

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  22. I love recycle/upcycle art! I absolutely love things that are made form bits,pieces, and scraps. I will be redoing a small bathroom soon and am looking for these kinds of ideas---maybe a floor made of pennies or cracked plates? Maybe beads from old jewelry set with the tile work?
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

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  23. These are such great and unique gift items. sweetbettysue@gmail.com

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  24. Very cool. And a great piece to add to my classroom.

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  25. You are so talented!! I love the work you do! The little ostrich is 100% adorable!!!!!

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  26. Love the old stove. When I was a kid we had my great-grandparents' old stove outside and my siblings and I used it to plant seedlings on.

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  27. I love your entire concept, your overflowing (abundance!) of imagination and your endless creativity! I adore the old old oven turned planter

    (We once had an old convertible sports car with a missing TOP - it sat in the back yard for several years through all four season. After a year or two it GREW into a funky planter all by itself! I was hard to part with when he had to have it towed away (some neighbors complained...)

    Anyway, thank you for the lovely giveaway - and sharing all of your wonderful photo. Just looking at your post make me feel more alive and spurs my imagination!

    Jesselyn A/Jesstinger
    Jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

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  28. So cute! Thanks for the chance.

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  29. that is such a cute idea...thanks for the chance to win

    sandradavis07 at comcast dot net

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  30. What fun stuff you have! I love all the unique ideas...especially the mirror with the butterfly.

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