Seattle Handmade and Homegrown Market Vendor Application

Tacoma Handmade and Homegrown Market Vendor Application

This free, all ages, indoor/outdoor market features the work of local artists, craftsmen, with a focus on plant vendors of all varieties. It’s the perfect opportunity for the public to stock up on the supplies they need to get their garden growing, or snag a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day gift. Our application fee is just $5 and all vendor space fees will be under $100. You can learn more about our market series on seconduseevents.com. If you have specific questions about our markets, contact us at outreach@seconduse.com for more information.

When Habitat for Humanity Tacoma/Pierce County challenged us to raise a minimum of $1,000 to rappel down the side of the 26 story Hotel Murano- one the tallest buildings in Tacoma- we didn’t hesitate for a moment. For starters, supporting Habitat for Humanity is a big part of what we do.  We love that while we work to reclaim building materials to offset waste and preserve our community, they use building materials foster opportunity and build new communities.

Just last month, we were at The Woods at Golden Given, which is their largest project to date. This thoughtfully planned network of single-family, cottage-style homes was at various stages of construction. We helped raise a wall that created the basic framework of a house. In its unfinished state, it looked like nothing more than a box of building materials. But not far in the distance was a row of houses that were not only complete, but occupied by families eager to immerse themselves in their surrounding community and new life as homeowners. This is the magic of Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat takes raw material, not unlike that we handle in our store everyday, and builds more than houses. They build homes. They build futures. They build hope.

And while our commitment to salvage may seem like an attachment to the past, it is this same desire to create a sustainable future that propels us as well.

That being said- we’ll do just about anything- including shove two of our best employees off the side of a building- to support their mission.

Oh, and ripping out building materials with our bare hands for a living affords our crew a physique they aren’t shy to show off.

So what does this have to do with you? Simply put, we need your support. As mentioned above, each of our team members needs to raise a minimum of $1,000 to qualify, and we’re asking you to consider donating a few bucks to support this mission.

Meet Corey and Flynn. Corey and Flynn are two of Second Use’s hardest workers and biggest Habitat supporters.

If you’ve shopped our store or had us salvage an item from your space in the last 11 years, you’ve probably met Flynn. He’s infectiously outgoing, hauntingly charming, and has a quick wit and sense of humor that literally leaves you in pain from laughter. He’s impossible to forget because it’s not uncommon for customers to describe his quality of service as “the best they’ve ever had.” Plus, he is a fantastic artist and heck of a roller skater. If a human unicorn with the strength of the Incredible Hulk and charm of 10,000 princes sounds like your kind of guy, consider supporting Flynn’s quest to raise $1,000 here.

Then there is Corey. Corey is a little bit greener than Flynn as far as his tenure with Second Use, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He spends 40 hours a week in the field salvaging doors, windows, cabinets, lighting, and beyond with the most ridiculous smile you’ve seen. Why he chose the salvage yard instead of the runway, we’ll never know, but we are grateful. He makes up for his good looks with questionable eating habits- he’s rumored to eat jars of peanut butter whole- but his heart is solid gold. If you like exotic adventures, Malibu Ken, and eating peanut butter with your hands- Corey is your guy. Support his quest to raise $1,000 here.

Jealous of the chance to rappel down Hotel Murano? Sign up and rappel with us! 

Last weekend, Second Use broke from our routine of material removal and salvage to do quite the opposite- build. As part of our ongoing relationship with Habitat for Humanity, we had the opportunity to take part in the construction of the newest home in The Woods at Golden Given, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s largest neighborhood to date. When complete, The Woods will consist of 30 homes built in partnership with low-income families in Pierce County.

This build commemorated the installation of “The Wall of Hope,” a wall constructed with studs emblazoned with positive messages and encouragement for the new homeowners from sponsors throughout the community. It was incredible to see the same 2×6 that had floated around our break room gathering signatures and messages just a few months ago now integrated into what, by the end of the day, looked more like a home than a stack of lumber.

This experience was a tangible reminder of what we as a community can achieve through reuse, and the impact it has beyond waste diversion. When customers elect to donate their materials to Second Use, they are sold to benefit local Habitat for Humanity affiliates so they can build more homes for the people that really need them. Last year, we managed to divert over 10,000 items from the landfill on behalf of Habitat for Humanity and raise over $200,000.

We thank you for your continued contributions to Second Use and Habitat for Humanity, large or small. Whether you spend a day on site building homes or just swing by Second Use on the way to the dump to see if any of your material can be donated, your efforts tangibly build community.

When invited to sponsor Sawhorse Revolution’s latest project, a tiny house for the Nickelsville Homeless Community built almost entirely from salvage, it was a no-brainer. Dedicated to empowering teens through carpentry and craft, this innovative nonprofit has made national headlines for their literal approach to community building.  We were enthusiastic to not only support their mission, but be a part of their first salvaged materials program, created specifically for young people to learn more about green construction and design.

We recently had the opportunity to visit the construction site, located around the back of Franklin High School in Mount Baker. About a dozen teens fastidiously worked together to put the final touches on the house that they had built over the last 6 weeks, commanding tools and communicating with the skill of construction industry vets.

The home, although indeed tiny, was carefully planned for maximum functionality and intentional living. The physical beauty of the space is notable as well: the knotty pine exterior features an accent wall of corrugated roofing, a modern sloped roof, and plenty of windows to allow for natural light.  A small porch features bench seating for two and is covered for year-round enjoyment. The interior is equally impressive with tongue and groove car decking and plans for a loft with a workspace underneath.

We are thankful to have been included in this project and encourage you to check out for yourself at their upcoming open house. Details are below:

Please join Sawhorse Revolution for a Tiny House Open House on Thursday, June 9.

Twelve teens, five counselors, and one master carpenter from schuchart/dow just completed a tiny house for the Nickelsville Homeless Community, made almost entirely of salvaged materials, and we hope you’ll come celebrate with us!

When: Thursday, June 9, 2:30 – 4:30pm

Where: Franklin High School, outside on the corner of S. Hanford and 32nd. Ave S.

Refreshments, tiny house tour, and a chance to celebrate the crew’s hard work.

We will also thank those who made the project possible, especially The Office of Arts & Culture, schuchart/dow, Olson Kundig, Earthwise Architectural Salvage, Second Use, Franklin High School, and the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish County.

More information is available on their website. We thank our community for pulling together to get such a positive organization back on its feet.