1 person found this review helpful
Long Beach Depot For Creative ReUse
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April 16, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
The Long Beach Depot is part of the Upycling movement - they play a key role in accepting donations of items that other organizations will not take - especially arts and crafts supplies and than distributing them to those in need for very little or for nothing. We all need to do our part but LBDFCR led by Lisa Hernadez and her daughter are doing great things for the Long Beach Community as they seek to Upcycle waste and divert from landfills. jeffrey s. lemanksy UPcycler in Chief @ Upcyclity.com
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 30, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
As the resident artist of "The Depot", I can honestly say that growing up in the vicinity of so many interesting (and random) scraps and collections of "junk" has really influenced my view as an artist. The only thing we should throw away is the mindset that everything is disposable. This shop takes all those extra beads, fabric remnants, broken jewelry, half-used notebooks, and lonely buttons and adopts them out to the loving and creative hands of artists, teachers, students, neighborhood kids, etc. I believe that creative reuse is a survival skill that everyone, today's youth especially, should have. "The Depot' eliminates half if not all of the dumpster-diving. I feel that the neighborhood has truly blossomed in the 5 years that the shop has been here.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 29, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
The Creative Reuse Depot has become quite the Long Beach Treasure and such a wonderful model for others to follow. Lisa, her daughter Yoshi and the supporting artist team really do build unity in the community through their collective efforts of sharing their "up-cycling" talents and generosity. They have actually educated me in how to reduce through reuse and now I hardly throw anything away! I absolutely love the various creative displays and Yoshi's workshops are wonderful, especially the art of Yarn bombing (I even learned how to finger crochet!). Their work is simply fantastic and truly deserving of a Top Rated Non-Profit award.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 28, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
My 'other' names for The Long Beach Depot for Creative ReUse are "The Little Shop Around the Corner" and "The Clubhouse." It is not only an East Village Arts District phenomenon, but it also draws in the larger creative community, the whole City of Long Beach and beyond. One can find thingamajigs and buttons, gizmos and fabric, doodads and paint. You can also rummage around in "The Box of Awesomeness." Then you go home and make something wonderful with your stuff! I personally buy beads, yarn, and these wonderful little formica pieces that come in different finishes like granite, malachite, marble and wood. The joy of creating is enhanced by the knowledge that worthwhile items, already in the consumer world, are being reinvented or redesigned into something else that is useful, decorative or both. It's a win/win/win and a warm, welcoming and fun place.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 27, 2012
This is a wonderful resource that really helps "build unity in the community". It not only provides unique materials at low-cost for artists, teachers, students and anyone who believes in helping the earth, but also provides excellent service by cross-promoting other businesses as well. It is an inspiring shop filled with ideas for any DIY project and the prices are unbelievable (many items at 25 cents or less!). They also have a Thank You from The President and Mrs. Obama and hosted 2 awesome events (Pepsi Refresh Creative Reuse Day and Really Really Free Day). This is truly a Long Beach treasure and deserves your support!
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 14, 2011
This is a wonderful resource that really helps "build unity in the community". It not only provides unique materials at low-cost for artists, teachers, students and anyone who believes in helping the earth, but also provides excellent service by cross-promoting other businesses as well. It is an inspiring shop filled with ideas for any DIY project and the prices are unbelievable (many items at 25 cents or less!). They also have a Thank You from The President and Mrs. Obama and hosted 2 awesome events (Pepsi Refresh Creative Reuse Day and Really Really Free Day). This is truly a Long Beach treasure and deserves your support!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
This is my go-to place first whenever I'm searching for something random to add to my artwork.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Ask them to get more support in order to open up more similar shops in SoCal.
1 person found this review helpful
November 19, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Well organized and super friendly! This is a such a fun place to spend time treasure hunting in! It's so great that they are recycling art supplies and other items to be used creatively and offering them at such affordable prices. If you are anywhere near Long Beach I highly encourage you to come check it out!
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 19, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Not only does the Creative ReUse Depot have a wonderful selection of trinkets, they offer services to the community so creative projects can happen as well as fairs and workshops to make trash into treasures! I have learned creative ways to reUse grocery bags into purses and cardboard into bus pass holders, business cards, and so much more. The part of this store that impressed me the most was when I took a group of artists with mental disabilities to the creative reuse depot and we were embraced with open arms. The staff patiently showed the group idea's for art projects and help supply items that we sold at our Farmer's Market Booth. THANK YOU CREATIVE REUSE!
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 16, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
The Depot and the people who run it (Lisa and Yoshino) practice true stewardship. They have created this beautiful non-profit to help create a paradigm shift. Through their guidance they help people look at their world differently. Ordinary items that for many would appear as trash and end in landfills have now taken new light and serve as treasures for parents, artists, teachers, crafters and the general public. This is no ordinary business. The founders empower the community on a daily basis by hosting special events, classes, activities, supporting artists, partnering with neighboring businesses and like-minded organizations. They inspire us all to be more active citizens by engaging in the political process and always looking at how to make Long Beach a better place to live. Lisa Hernandez is a true leader and visionary. There isn’t anything quite like the Long Beach Depot For Creative ReUse. As a resident I have been able to donate items from my household and as a business owner, I have had the luck to work with Lisa on various projects and am so proud to have this great resource as part of our “Green City.” I wish them many more years of growth and success.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 15, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I love this place! My children and I frequently find ourselves here out of adventure. You never know what you might find. A few weeks ago we stopped by and I found dried gourds that I took home and painted for the Autumn center piece on our table. I bought corks to make into Christmas gifts and even found some AMAZING findings to use in my jewelry making. Lisa, the owner and her daughter are always on hand for help finding things or just a good chat. They are very familiar with the goings on in the neighborhood as well and have tipped me off to a few awesome events that we attended. I find myself relying on them for not only inexpensive up-cycling but also very useful in finding that hard to find little thing I might need to finish a piece.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 15, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I love this store!! I'm a teaching artist in schools (puppetry) and I always find the best materials here to help inspire my students. Lisa and her daughter are so committed to the notion of creative recycling that I am always re-inspired everytime I walk through the door! Keep up the great work!...Ellen Schulze, The Puppet Lady :)
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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