Join me for some crafty turning trash into treasure adventures! And definitely share your own upcycling awesomeness.
Let’s do this!


The benefits of upcycling are huge… We reduce our consumption by buying less and hopefully using less, we rethink our idea of waste and we explore our creative side. It’s a win-win-win!
So why not try it! All the kewl kids are all about upcycling.


Hi! My name is Denise (aka Thrifty By Design). I’m the crafty gal behind Crafting with Crap. I’m a community builder, crafter extraordinaire and upcycler of things based in North Vancouver, BC. My passion is to turn ‘junk’ into new and funky pieces. From refinishing furniture found at the dump to repurposing discarded items like wine corks into jewelry, there is no limit to what a bit of time and know-how can create. And save from the landfill.
Sharing my enthusiasm for crafting and upcycling, I facilitate ‘Crafternoons’ throughout Vancouver where participants of all ages and skill levels learn how to make things from unorthodox materials. I have also taught a series of classes called Crafting with ‘Crap’ at a local university and at conferences. I was a featured panelist at the Craft Council of BC talk called ‘Craft, The Environment & Our Community’ and was the inaugural BC Champion for the fourth annual Culture Days, a national, nonprofit 3-day event promoting culture throughout Canada. I was the Vancouver Curator for The Makers Nation’s weekly digest featuring local events and happenings.
In addition, I am a Creative Expert for the Salvation Army Thrift Store sharing thrifting tips and simple DIYs.
I authored a crafty book called Raw Crafts: 40 Projects from Hemp, Jute, Burlap and Cork published through Lark Crafts.
Download my Thrifty By Design CV at www.thriftybydesign.ca.
- Crafting with ‘crap’ since 2012
- Hosted over 100 Crafternoons
- Crafted with 1000+ peeps
- Written for numerous publications
- Author of ‘Raw Crafts’
Want to know more?
Check out Thrifty By Design for upcoming events, DIYs and latest news. Visit my personal website for more about me and what else I do. Or find me on social media.
Get crafty
Feeling inspired to craft with ‘crap’. Check out my DIYs! Easy peasy projects using junk. They’re cheap, fun and easy!
Get in touch
Let’s craft together!
Get in touch – say hello at 604.354.5811 or drop me a line at denise@craftingwithcrap.com.
Let’s Craft with ‘Crap’
Here are some of my FAV repurposing projects to share cause sharing is caring.
DIY: Upcycled wool sweater brooch
Here’s one of my oldie but a goodie upcycling projects made using upcycled wool sweaters from my local thrift store.
DIY: Thrift fabric characters
You can easily turn thrift fabric into super sweet creatures.
DIY: Love inspired custom art
This DIY is all about refreshing a secondhand painting from your local thrift store.
DIY: Upcycled wool sweater brooch
Here’s one of my oldie but a goodie upcycling projects made using upcycled wool sweaters from my local thrift store.
DIY: Thrift fabric characters
You can easily turn thrift fabric into super sweet creatures.
DIY: Love inspired custom art
This DIY is all about refreshing a secondhand painting from your local thrift store.
DIY: Plastic animal planters
Give your succulents even more character with this fun, simple and cheap DIY that makes planter magic out of thrifted treasures.
Get in Touch
Say hello . . . 604.354.5811
Drop me a line . . . denise@craftingwithcrap.com
Find me at . . . www.denisecorcoran.com
Crafty adventures via . . . www.thriftybydesign.ca
News & Events
Keep up to date at . . . www.instagram.com/craftingwithcrap