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A New Approach To Upcycling By Simin Qiu

Pine is currently one of the most commonly used materiasl in most carpentry items due to its prevalence in nature. As a result, there is an excess of off-cut material waste left from the manufacturing processes. Simin Qiu created the End Grain project as a way to utilize these end grain pattern wastes to design new, everyday objects.

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Thanks to the different tissues in pine (xylem and phloem), life can travel through the pine, creating pretty grain patterns and even light transmission. Designer Simin Qiu did not want to waste these valuable pieces, and thus, had a new approach to material composition. Rather than using any nails or connectors, the desktop accessories are constructed through careful cutting and gluing, allowing the grain to shine through.

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After surviving a quarter life crisis, Nanette went from working in healthcare canadian meds to pursuing her loves of design, food and writing. During the day she works in social media marketing, by night she writes for Design Milk. You can find more of her work at nanettewong.com.