Businesses of Columbus Upcycling

Finding new ideas and businesses in the way of sustainability is always a pleasure. Of course, you get even more bonus points when it's cool, fun, and local! Here are three awesome examples of creative upcycling in Columbus businesses.

Glean

Creative, conscious, sustainable and funky are all words that have beed used to describe the space at Short North's Glean, which prides themselves as the first shop in Columbus, Ohio to sell handcrafted local goods from repurposed materials. Glean celebrates the way people upcycle, providing alternatives for eco-conscious shoppers.

While some items are displayed on their website, it's their facebook page that really shines for current items, where you'll find upcycled brass, wood, and leather made into cool art, gifts, home goods, jewelry items, and more such as:

Messenger bags made from motorcycle seats Stylized coasters made from 200-year-old reclaimed barn wood Old soup cans transformed into Andy Warhol commemorative candles Plus really cool lanterns made from refinished world globes! This year, Glean will be focusing on products that help their customers live more sustainable lives with affordable products with the help of a local seamstress specialized in reusable products made from recycled materials. How awesome is that for Columbus upcycling?

Golden Hobby Shop

The Golden Hobby Shop is non-profit consignment shop for handcrafted items, unique gifts, decor, and accessories. But what really makes it a point of interest is its history with the community and local seniors.

Founded by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department in 1971 as an outlet for Columbus senior citizens, The Golden Hobby Shop still thrives to this day under this model - A feat we can thank its dedicated volunteers for!

Know any crafty 50+ seniors in Franklin or nearby counties who'd like to become a consignor? Anyone in that demographic can do so AND add to the awesome Columbus upcycling world by a simple phone call - check it out on their webpage.

Candles With A Cause

One more noteworthy Columbus upcycling business is Candles With A Cause who turn post-consumer glass bottles into small-batch, handcrafted candles.

Each of their candles is made from an upcycled bottle, longer-burning soy wax, and natural fiber packaging, but what people seem drawn to the most is the aromatherapy of the esential oils with unique fragrances such as grapefruit cedarwood, magnolia teakwood, and driftwood fig.