What you need for an upcycling workshop

A successful upcycling workshop needs more than donated materials. Plan tools and surfaces for each table, plus shared equipment for demonstrations, registration and refreshments. Check every item before the day: glue guns, craft knives, cutting mats and scissors are easy to overlook, and extension cords must reach every workstation safely. Clean and sort the materials in advance so participants can start creating instead of searching through boxes.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 55
Registration desk
Presentation table
Waste binsqty 4

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Monitor screen
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 6
Bluetooth speaker
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Scissorsqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Coffee potsqty 3
Teapotsqty 2
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 6

Workshop materials

Glue gunsqty 10
Craft knivesqty 10
Cutting matsqty 10
Rulersqty 10
Pliersqty 10
Awl setsqty 6
Brushesqty 30
Paint traysqty 12
Acrylic paint setsqty 8
Glue bottlesqty 12
Acrylic markersqty 24
Sandpaperqty 30
Protective apronsqty 20
Safety gogglesqty 20
Work glovesqty 20

Upcycling materials

Glass jarsqty 60
Cansqty 50
Cardboard boxesqty 40
Old magazinesqty 30
Residual materialsqty 30
Old T-shirtsqty 25
Cork remnantsqty 40
Wood offcutsqty 40

Decorations

Name badgesqty 60
Paper signageqty 12
Tableclothsqty 8

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Litter pickersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Whole-grain baguettes - 8 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Grilled vegetables - 1.5 kilos
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Bell peppers - 12
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Nut mix - 2 kilo
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Spice mix - 2 jars
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces
- Toilet paper - 2 packs

Tips

Set up one workstation per table with a cutting mat, ruler, scissors and the tools needed for the sample project. Add extra scissors and rulers if several people will share a table.
Allow at least one glue gun for every two to three participants, and provide a safe place to set each hot glue gun down. Check that there are enough power strips and extension cords before arranging the tables.
Keep craft knives, awl sets and pliers at a supervised materials station rather than placing them on every table. Include waste bins nearby so sharp offcuts and scraps do not collect around the workstations.
Prepare the presentation table with the work samples, instructions and any materials used in the demonstration. Test the laptop, projector or monitor screen and Bluetooth speaker before participants arrive.
For refreshments, use reusable cups, plates and cutlery, with coffee pots, teapots, kettles, coolers and serving utensils ready before the workshop begins. Chill drinks and prepare snacks early enough that setup does not compete with registration.

Frequently asked questions

What tools do I need for an upcycling workshop?: Plan for scissors, cutting mats, rulers, pliers, awl sets, brushes, glue guns and craft knives. Provide at least one basic tool set per table, then add shared specialist tools at a supervised station.
How many glue guns do I need for a workshop?: One glue gun for every two to three participants is a practical starting point. For 20 participants, prepare about 7 to 10 glue guns and enough power strips and extension cords to reach the workstations safely.
How far in advance should I prepare upcycling materials?: Collect and sort materials at least 3 to 5 days before the workshop. Clean them, remove unsafe pieces and prepare work samples no later than the day before, leaving the event day for table setup and final checks.
What should I bring for workshop refreshments?: Prepare reusable cups, plates and cutlery, plus coffee pots, teapots, kettles, coolers, serving platters and serving tongs. Set up drinks and snacks before registration starts, with chilled drinks ready at least 30 minutes beforehand.

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