This Could be IT!

Thanks to JD: A Yarn Swift posted on the JoAnn Fabrics site looks like a newer version of our mystery device...but why the medical company manufacturer label?
When we get fun donations, our store becomes a lot more interesting for shoppers and browsers to explore!

So you are wondering, what's our "test" question? Besides thinking about whether it's clean, or safe, or broken, the most important question is "Can it be a raw material for something else?" When we're thinking about re-use, we're thinking about the parts of the object...can this be reused as it is? or, as a piece of something else? art? an invention? a decoration? that missing part to a invention?

We open this week! Come take a look and help us think about how to reuse our fabulous variety of stuff!

Name the item.. because we can't...

So thank you to the donation of this item but.. we don't know what it is. So we figured we'd pose the question to our followers, do you know what this is?

There is some writing on it that has brought us to the point where we believe that it came from Stryker Medical Company at the address of 230, Boul. Nilus-Leclerc; L'Isletville, Quebec.

It has a clamp on the other side to fasten it to a table or counter or something. The arms can be altered, there's a handle, and it spins..

We think it might be perhaps used for rolling bandages? But hey so many things could be done with it. How about attach some sparklers and spin it really quickly.. in a safe, adult supervised, outdoor setting.

Project Idea #1- Charm Bracelets

Thanks to a generous contribution we have a lot of these charms, pictured to the left. Perhaps they can be used to create bracelets. Several 10's, 06's, 09's, etc. Maybe for that little girl turning 10, she'd like a charm bracelet of rhinestone studded 10 charms. Or for a friend/lover that you want to make them feel like they're a 10. And we're sure you can find lots of other cool items in the store to attach or use as the chain, but that's where your own style can come into play! :)

Businesses, we want your.. stuff!

We're reaching out to not just community members but also to businesses in the area that have unique discards or scrap for us to sell. The CU Schools Foundation, our parent company, is a full 501c3 charitable organization and all donations are tax deductible as allowable by law.

So let's get this straight..
1) We accept things that businesses no longer want and would probably throw away anyway.
2) Donations are probably tax-deductible.
3) All of the proceeds from store sales go to the CU Schools Foundation - keeping our schools strong and providing that margin of excellence for the area public schools.

Now you're thinking.. well, what do I have that I could contribute right?

Well here's some examples:
These are metal domed disks from a generous industrial donation. What can be created from them?

Perhaps this project.

And here is another business donation of telephone wire. You can create items like this bowl, which is on display at the store right now.
















Businesses, we need your "scrap"! Plus what a great way to re-use, reduce, and recycle. Perhaps, an additional method for any company policies on efficiency and reducing waste.

And what do we accept? Check out our list on the website under Household Items Donations List. www.the-idea-store.org

Lions and Tigers and.. Eights! oh my!

Okay, so we got some really cool stuff today! Lots and Lots of glass stuff - like stoppers and tubes and pipettes and beakers...and rubber stoppers too!
And, what do YOU expect to find in The I.D.E.A. Store? Toilet paper rolls? How pedestrian! Egg Cartons?* How droll! Tell us what you would like us to have!

*and yes, we do have a few of these...and can get you some - lots - if you need them...

ExtraOrdinary Volunteers at the Store!

Have you been to the website? www.the-idea-store.org Right now, it's just a placeholder while we are building a real site. We want to get it up and going in the next few weeks...

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You would be amazed at the dedication of the volunteers who are working so hard to get our store ready for opening day, Sept. 30, 2010. There just aren't the words to describe their dedication...but let me try:
Special
Thoughtful
Committed
Timely
On-Time
Dedicated
Funny
Kind
Good-spirited
Particular - in a GOOD way
Creative
Capable
Self-initiating
Ready
Undemanding
Selfless, but assured
Friendly...

And thank god they all love chocolate...

So many thanks for the Leadership Team, Carol Jo, Peter, Claire, Craig! and now Casey who has taken on the role of paid-staff and still volunteers beyond her hours!!