at CAMP Headquarters during Cherokee Print League!
(Attending The Big Ass Indie Art and Crafts Show? We’re just a few blocks away!)

Wow! We’ve come so far in less than a year. Movin’ on up to the South side…on Cherokee St. that is! The Upcycle Exchange has partnered up with CAMP (Community Arts Media Project) to create a “co-op junk shop” that will now serve as our central sorting and distribution center called Finder’s Hive. The Upcycle Exchange will still be collecting at area events, in addition to new drop-off locations to be announced in January 2010.

The basic concept of the program will stay the same, but some of the logistics will change. We will collect specific supplies that artists are asking for, sort their unique requests into individually labeled storage, and group common requests for members to pick and choose from. At the end of every month, Finder’s Hive will host a private pick-up date for member artists, where they can collect their unique items and have first dibs on everything else we’ve collected that month.  Anything leftover after the pick-up date will go to stock the shelves in The Hive, which will be open to the public on a limited schedule, at first. We plan to host events and activities in the space as well, but our focus continues to be catering to participating makers.

Open Enrollment is NOW thru December 18th!

Click here for more details on becoming a member

Our Wish-List, member enrollment, and incentive parts of the program are switching from an event-centric format to seasonal cycling. 1 month before a season is slated to begin (every 3 months), we will hold open enrollment for artists for 2 weeks. During this time, existing members will be able to edit their lists and incentives for the upcoming season as well. A new Wish-List will be published, and new Coupon Passports will be printed at the beginning of every season, which will run for 3 months. Coupon Passports (given to anyone that donates at events or drop-offs) expire 6 months from the beginning of the season.  There will be a $15 seasonal member fee.

Every month, The Upcycle Exchange will run collection drives at local events, and run pick-up routes to drop-off locations. All donations will be brought back to Finders Hive and sorted in preparation for our scheduled members-only pick-up date, tentatively the last Sunday of every month. For $5, members will be admitted to collect the unique items we’ve sorted for them, and may take whatever they like from a veritable buffet of commonly requested items that have been sorted into categories.  Any members that cannot attend the pick-up date may make arrangements with us to pickup there unique items and have a go at common leftovers afterwards.

So, that’s basically how it’s going to work! Just look at everything we collected at Strange Folk Festival this year…over 250 donations in one weekend. So, we think there will be plenty to go around!

Wanna join the really green party? Our inaugural open enrollment starts TODAY! Since the Winter 2009 season is already upon us, you’re going to get a discount! Only $10 membership fee for this season! We already have a list out with lots of common supplies, but will add in anything you guys are asking for, and have Coupon Passports ready and drop-off locations set-up by the New Year. Our first pick-up date is scheduled for January 24th.

After we receive your application, we’ll send you an invoice for your membership fee within 3 business days.

Hurry up! Winter 2009 Open Enrollment ends on December 14th! Tell your artsy fartsy friends about it too