PalletPalooza Day Winning Entries

PalletPalooza™ 2017 is over and the results are in.... And we are truly inspired by the creations that were entered into the 2nd Annual PalletPalooza™ competition.
And the winning entries -
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Grand Prize – Sunrise, Steve Howland

This is a vase made from the pallet cut into small pieces and then glued together into rings. The rings are then stacked and glued and lastly it is turned on a lathe. It is finished with wood dye and lacquer.

PalletSWMI.com

Steve Howland: "I love to idea of turning something from raw or previously used materials into something beautiful. I entered Art Prize last year and part of my vase was made from my kids' old defunct dresser. I would love for the public to see what can be done with what some would consider garbage. I am married and have 4 children. I was an elementary school teacher and then became a homeschool teacher to my children. Having grown and moved away, I began turning on a lathe. I have been turning seriously for about three years. Early this spring I was asked to exhibit two of my pieces at the London Art Biennale, where I was awarded third place on the sculpture category."

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Furniture

1st Place – Vagabar, George Keister

PalletSWMI.com

Built in May 2017, The Vagabar is a mobile bar equipped with a kegerator system with two faucets from which to dispense beverages from. An estimated 40 separate pallets were utilized to attain just the right boards to create just the right character.

The bar top and barkeeper’s work surface are finished with spar urethane to protect and enhance the natural beauty and patina of the re-purposed wood. LED lights installed underneath the inner lip of the bar top illuminate the work area. Set the mood by adjusting the dimmer switch for just the right ambiance. Plug a blender into the weatherproof AC outlet to whip up some frozen cocktails – it’s 5 o’clock somewhere! No need to search for a bottle opener, The Vagabar has two – one bear head between the faucets and one vintage Pepsi-Cola opener mounted next to the galvanized towel bar.

Under-the-counter space is designed to accommodate the beverage dispensing system components, a 48 quart ice chest/jockey box and two standard 1/4 barrels (or two additional ice chests) with room to spare. Two heavy duty slide out shelves are built in to make it easy to stow the kegs or coolers without having to wrestle them in underneath. Simply slide the 220 pound rated shelves out, place the kegs on the shelves then slide them in concealing them underneath. A tap light is mounted under the counter top to illuminate the storage area.

Most of the outer skin of The Vagabar was lightly sanded but left unfinished to minimally disturb the weathering, wear and “whiskers” acquired throughout the travels of the pallets. If that isn’t character enough, throw in some not so fancy bling with the corrugated metal accents and galvanized pipe foot rail to add to the rustic appeal.

The Vagabar is no lightweight but moves about free and easy due to the heavy duty 5 inch casters that it sits atop. Measuring over 8 ft. wide and 4 ft. deep it will easily accommodate 8-10 persons at a time.

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2nd Place - Pallet Table, Amy Wagner

Reclaimed pallet wood in a chevron pattern over plywood. Pipes and pipe fittings for legs.

PalletSWMI.com

Amy Wagner: "I'm an avid DIY'er with home projects, from painting, installing flooring, drywall, etc. I've also been refinishing furniture for about 10 years, which I picked up as a hobby. So far I've only refinished furniture for myself and family close friends. I recently came across some pallets and wondered what I could make out of them... I happened to be in need of a new dining table at the same time, so made myself a table!"

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Functional

1st Place - Swabby Cabin, John Swabash

Shed made from over 100 pallets complete with windows and a wrap around porch. There is a lean to on the south side as well.

PalletSWMI.com

John Swabash: I love to work with my hands and show creativity in the yard."

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2nd Place - Papa’s Workshop, Mark Louis

Structure is a 16ft. X 24ft. two-story workshop, 24ft. height. Exterior siding, windows, and doors using over 550 pallet boards.

PalletSWMI.com

Mark Louis: "I love to garden, play guitar, and build. I also love creating functional furniture and structures by re-purposing materials."

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Signs

1st Place – Kindness, Toni Gore

There is too much negativity in the world, I want to throw kindness around like confetti.

PalletSWMI.com

Toni Gore: "I've been making pallet creations for 4 years and love every minute of it. This adventure started out from a friend asking me to make a wedding gift. Needless to say that gift turned into many more and the word spread like wildfire. I'm very thankful for the new friends I meet and all the custom creations I get to make."

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2nd Place - Micah 6:8, Sharon Stutzman Hartzler

Measuring a whopping 40 x 48, this pallet sign was designed for the sanctuary of First Mennonite Church, Wadsworth, Ohio. Micah 6:8 is a favorite scripture of our congregation. The background is a vivid royal blue, with words painted in bright white and soft yellow. This splash of color brightens the 1960s tan brick of the church interior, while focusing our thoughts on our words and deeds.

PalletSWMI.com

Sharon Stutzman Hartzler: "I'm a happily married farmer's wife and mom of four who works as a replenishment buyer by day and an artist by night. I've sold several pieces locally and have donated many projects for fundraisers. I usually focus on scriptures, hymns and longer phrases, but have started branching out into animal silhouettes. I can get all the pallets I want from my employer, but I also scavenge at our local Habitat for Humanity Restore for new (to me) canvas materials, such as doors, windows, and cupboards. I call myself ThePaintingFarmwife on Instagram, and hope to soon set up other online accounts under that name."

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Art & Décor

1st Place - Copper Rays, Chrisanna Customs

24" x 24" Layered Wall hanging -Back Layer features a distressed white washed blue sky -Middle Layer is multiple planks of pallet wood put together than cut to make the rays of the sun aged with yellow paint. -Top layer is a ring of pallet wood with the blades of grass carved out -Finally the whole piece is encircled with copper metal, when the light hits it just right it extends copper rays onto the wall it is displayed on.

PalletSWMI.com

Susanna Bunt-Harlan of Chrisanna Customs: "I have been working with pallets for the past 2 years and found that I have a knack for it. It gives me an outlet for my creativity and keeps me sane! There is nothing like taking wood that has been discarded and left for trash and reforming it into something beautiful."

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2nd Place – Sunrise, Steve Howland

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Thank you to all of our Makers who participated in PalletPalooza™. Your talent and efforts have been inspirational. Many people have never considered creating projects with used pallets and what fun it has been to showcase your creations! Plus, PalletPalooza™ is a fundraiser for Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan and we are grateful for your participation and support. PalletPalooza™ has succeeded in helping us tell our story to more people in Southwestern Michigan community. Visit us at GoodwillSWMI.org to learn more about Goodwill.

Thank you also to our Sponsors for the support, sharing our event, and helping us reach out to so many people!

PalletPalooza Sponsors Links

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Join the PalletPalooza™ E - Mail list. 

PalletPalooza Entry Period Extended!

Enter PalletPalooza at PalletSWMI.com

WOW!  PalletPalooza Entry Period Extended!

PalletPalooza™ is extending the entry period to Midnight, JULY 5th!

Did you need just a little more time?

This extension is for you!

Did you mean to call your friend who has a pallet project already made and tell them about PalletPalooza?

This extension is for you!

Looking for a fun and impactful way to support your community? 

This extension is for you!

It's fun, there's $2000 in CASH prizes AND it's all for a great cause. 

Enter at PalletSWMI.com

PalletSWMI.com

Ready to share your Pallet Creation? PalletPalooza Entry Period is Now!

The tagline for PalletPalooza™ is Create. Build. Inspire. And that is what PalletPalooza is all about! PalletSWMI.com

CREATE.
It's all about creating something new out of an old recycled pallet.
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BUILD.
Building with something that could have been thrown away.
PalletSWMI.com

INSPIRE.
Inspiring others to repurpose, reuse and recycle.
PalletSWMI.com

ENTER TODAY! PalletSWMI.com

Sell at PalletPalooza Day! You can be a vendor on PalletPalooza Day

Learn more here: PalletSWMI Vendors

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PalletPalooza Benefits Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan.

Our Mission:
Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan Provides employment, education, training, and support services to individuals and families so they can achieve self-sufficiency.
Learn more at:
GOODWILLSWMI.ORG

Not sure which PalletPalooza™ category to enter?

What pallet creation are you working on? Furniture? Something functional? A sign? Or a piece of art or decor?

PalletPalooza™

Here are the category descriptions for PalletPalooza™ 2017. And following the description are the official rules. ENTER PALLETPALOOZA™ at PalletSWMI.com

Furniture - Movable articles, such as tables, chairs, desks or cabinets, required for use or ornament in a house, office, or the like.

Functional - having or serving a utilitarian purpose; capable of serving the purpose for which it was designed.

Art & Décor - something used for decorating; adornment; embellishment.

Sign - a notice, bearing a name, direction, warning, or advertisement, with the purpose to be displayed or posted for public view.

New Category!  Inspire Online

Enter the new category Inspire Online. This category is open to anyone living 75 miles or more from 420 E Alcott Street. See rules for complete details.

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OFFICIAL RULES FOR PALLETPALOOZA™ 2017

Rules for Entering PalletPalooza 2017

Eligibility

PalletPalooza is a Maker competition open to anyone who enters their pallet creation during the PalletPalooza registration period of May 22, 2017 through June 30, 2017.

Eligible Pallet Creations

·        The creation must be the original work of an individual artist or a team.

·        The creation must be made out of recycled pallets and the piece must be made of 50% recycled pallet.

·        The creation must have a title and will be voted on as a single entry.

·        The creation must be wholly owned by the Maker or team of Makers. If entering as a team, there is only one registration payment required, but each team member must have their information registered.

·        The creation can not infringe on third party rights.

·        Creations entered in previous PalletPalooza™ competitions are not eligible.

Entry Categories

Each Maker creation must be placed in one of four categories. The Maker will choose which category best represents their creation. The 3 judge panel will select 5 finalist creations for each category. The public will then be able to vote for one of the 5 creations in each category through the PalletPalooza website: PalletSWMI.com Only one vote per I.P. address will be allowed. 

Category Definitions

1.      Furniture - Movable articles, such as tables, chairs, desks or cabinets, required for use or ornament in a house, office, or the like.

2.      Functional - having or serving a utilitarian purpose; capable of serving the purpose for which                   it was designed.

3.      Art & Décor - something used for decorating; adornment; embellishment.

4.      Sign - a notice, bearing a name, direction, warning, or advertisement, with the purpose to be displayed or posted for public view.

New Category!

5.      Inspire Online - This category is open to anyone living 75 miles or more from 420 E Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI USA. Enter any original recycled pallet creation by photo only. 

Categories: Furniture, Functional, Art & Décor, & Signs

·        Each Maker must be at least 18 years old at the time they register. If under 18, then a parent or guardian must sign the registration form.

·        Makers must pay a $20 non-refundable registration fee to enter their creation in one category. A $20 registration fee is required for each piece.

·        Creations must be shown if movable at an assigned venue and at the PalletPalooza event day, August 12, 2017.

·        Only original creations are eligible for submission. The Maker is responsible to ensure that the creation does not infringe on any third party proprietary rights.

·        The Maker is responsible for transportation of the creation to the assigned Venue and to pick up the creation at the end of the PalletPalooza event day, August 12, 2017 by 6:30 p.m.

·        Artists that win any of the Public Vote prizes and/or Juried Awards can participate the following year, but must enter a new creation.

·        Photographs and/or video of pallet creations taken by the PalletPalooza Event Team or Goodwill Industries of SW MI can be used for future promotional use.

·        All unclaimed creations after the August 12, 2017 6:30 p.m. pick up date will be donated to Goodwill Industries of SW MI for resale. A donation slip is available if requested.

Displaying Your Creation

All creations that are movable will be put on display during the display week of July 25th – August 10th, 2016 with a host venue. You will be notified of when and where you are to display your creation. A picture may be used as an alternative depending on the mobility of the creation.

Makers will be assigned a host venue.

After the display time, the PalletPalooza team will transport your creation to the PalletPalooza event on August 12, 2017. Special arrangement can be made if you wish to move your creation for special handling to the event site.

Winning

PalletPalooza is a cash prize completion. Each category will have a 1^st and 2^nd place winner chosen by public vote. There will be one overall award winner chosen by the three judge panel.  A Maker can win both a 1^st or 2^nd place award and also win the overall award. Additional prizes for honorable mentions may be chosen by the three judge panel. Prizes will be awarded as follows:

Furniture             1^st Place   $300                  2^nd Place   $150

Functional          1^st Place   $350                  2^nd Place   $150

Art & Décor        1^st Place   $250                  2^nd Place   $150

Signs                    1^st Place   $150                  2^nd Place   $100

Overall PalletPalooza Prize Winner   $400

Winning Makers must be present at the PalletPalooza Awards Day or will forfeit their prize.

Winners

If you win an award, monetary prizes will be awarded in a lump sum to the creator or split between registered team members. Makers are eligible to win more than one category.  Checks for the winning amount will be issued the week after the August 12, 2017 PalletPalooza event.

Winning Makers are eligible to enter the following year, but must enter a new original piece.

Registration

1.      Sign up at palletswmi.com

2.      Enter your creation and pay the registration fee of $20. Each entry will get a PalletPalooza 2017 T-shirt. The first 50 entries can receive a free pallet to be picked up at the Goodwill Alcott Street location. If you are one of the first 50 entries you will be notified by email instructions to pick up your pallet.

3.      Complete your Entry Profile

4.      If you are entering as a team, each team member must be included at this time.

5.      The registration fee is non-refundable.

Selling your creation

If you choose to sell your creation, that will be between you and the buyer. The PalletPalooza Team does not broker sales and will not take payments. All sales during the event are considered pending until the end of the event. Creations cannot be removed from the venue during PalletPalooza. 

Insurance

Goodwill Industries of SW MI does not require Makers to obtain insurance for the creations, but it is strongly encouraged. Liability insurance can be very affordable and can protect the Maker in the event of an accident during the installation, display or transportation of the creation.

Labels

PalletPalooza will provide one official label for each creation entered into PalletPalooza. Each label will contain the title of the piece, the category it is entered in, and the Maker or Team name. Each label will include voting instructions.

Want to sell more pallet creations on PalletPalooza Event Day?

You can rent a 10 x 10 booth space for an additional $50. Spaces are limited and are reserved on a first come/first serve basis. 10% of the items you are selling must be pallet related. Items that you wish to sell must be approved by PalletPalooza Team. Contact info@PalletSWMI.com with a general idea of the items you want to sell, and you will be approved or not approved. If you are not approved you can select other items, or your booth fee will be reimbursed. 

Entering Our New Category: Inspire Online

·        This category is only available to makers who live 75 miles or more from 420 E Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI USA and do not wish to have your creation displayed in the Kalamazoo Area or be present to win on PalletPalooza Day. If you do live 75 miles or more from 420 E Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI USA and desire to fully participate in the other four categories, you may enter any or all of those categories per the rules.

·        Each Maker must be at least 18 years old at the time they register. If under 18, then a parent or guardian must sign the registration form.

·        Makers must pay a $10 non-refundable registration fee to enter the Inspire Online category. A $10 registration fee is required for each piece. A PalletPalooza T-shirt is not provided with this entry fee, but PalletPalooza shirts are available for an additional fee. Contact info@palletswmi.com to order a shirt(s).

·        Maker to provide two photos of the creation – A Creation Photo and a Verification Photo.  The Creation Photo should be a quality photo of the complete creation. The Creation Photo will be posted on the PalletPalooza™ event website PalletSWMI.com Inspire Online Page and will be the photo that is judged and voted upon. The Verification Photo will be of the creator standing beside the creation. The purpose of the Verification Photo is to verify that the creation is an original piece belonging to the maker.

·        Only original creations are eligible for submission. The Maker is responsible to ensure that the creation does not infringe on any third party proprietary rights.

·        Artists that win any of the Public Vote prizes and/or Juried Awards can participate the following year, but must enter a new creation.

·        Photographs and/or video of pallet creations taken by the PalletPalooza Event Team or Goodwill Industries of SW MI can be used for future promotional use.

Winning

PalletPalooza is a cash prize completion. The Inspire Online category will have one First Place Winner chosen by public online vote. The First Place Prize for the Inspire Online category is $150.00 USD. The winner will be announced on August 12, 2017 at the PalletPalooza Day event and the winner will be notified also by the maker’s registration email and a check will be issued to the maker’s registration address.  

Be Social with PalletPalooza™ & Deadline is June 30th!

There are so many ways to connect with us and share with the other people who appreciate recycled pallets!
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YouTube
PalletPalooza is a fundraiser for Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan. You can view PalletPalooza videos as well as Goodwill Videos.

YouTube

When you support PalletPalooza you are support Goodwill's mission to provide employment, education, training, and support services to individuals and families so they can achieve self-sufficiency.

Facebook
Always filled with the latest news and information about PalletPalooza - fun giveaways - and a great way to message Team PalletPalooza with questions and comments.

Facebook.com/PalletSWMI

Twitter
Another great source for quick info and see what we found to retweet! 

Twitter.com/PalletPalooza

Pinterest

Our #1 resource for recycled pallet ideas! 

Pinterest.com/PalletPalooza

Instagram

Find ideas, inspiration and news about PalletPalooza™ - beautifully filtered on Insta! 

Instagram.com/PalletPalooza

The deadline to enter PalletPalooza™ is June 30, 2017! 

Enter at PalletSWMI.com

Thank you for connecting! 

PalletPalooza Entry Period Started Today

Today is the big day for us! Entry period has started and we are so excited to see the the creations for PalletPalooza™ 2017! 

Of course we had to start out with cake again....

 PalletPalooza is a fundraiser for Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan. We are very grateful to our Sponsors for the contribution and support.

Enter PalletPalooza Today at PalletSWMI.com

Repurposing Pallets for Good

PalletPalooza came about as a unique and fun way to raise funds for Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan and support the mission of the organization.

This past weekend we were promoting PalletPalooza at the Summer Craft Show at the Expo Center in Kalamazoo. It was fun sharing our event with the other vendors, some who were selling reclaimed wood and pallet crafts. (Yeah!) and talking with visitors to the show.

One man who stopped by to get one of our flyers said that he and his family just returned from a trip to Thailand. He said that there is a huge and thriving pallet industry there. He mentioned that the pallets at one time were made of the hardwood teak - which is a valuable tropical wood. Of course this was intriguing and I have been searching the internet for information about Thailand and pallets.

One of the articles I stumbled upon was a ministry that teaches woodworking classes to fathers in Bangkok as a way to earn extra money.

I found a couple of  other projects featuring pallets that were being done to help one another and so here is my round up Recycling Pallets for Good.
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Thailand
Building Pallet Furniture Restore is a small training/business initiative set up as a way to create opportunities for fathers we know who are unemployed but have a desire to work. Restore uses recycled pallet wood to build pieces of furniture for sale. From time to time, Restore hosts workshops teaching basic carpentry skills and tool maintenance for people looking to pick up a trade and find work. Read the rest here.

Rooftop Garden Mother Earth magazine featured an article about a rooftop school garden in Bangkok. The garden is helpful in teaching students about gardening skills. They also sell the produce to staff and parents to buy more seeds and supplies. They started the garden by building 50 raised garden beds made out of 100 donated wood  pallets. Read the whole story here. 
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U.S.A 
Pallet Stage Church Stage Designs is a whole website to help churches build stages for their building or an event. They have a multitude of ideas to create designs using recycled wood pallets. Learn more here.

Horse Barn Lean-To 
Walk onWater is a non-profit organization dedicated to giving individuals the opportunity to experience and bond with horses in a safe and loving environment.  A group of students from Miami University helped them build a lean-to from recycled pallets for the ministry's miniature horses.

Walk on Water

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Time is running out to enter PalletPalooza! The deadline is June 30th, 2016. 

Enter Today! palletswmi.com