Re-imaging furniture as therapy & to support Habitat for Humanity

Oct 7

We love profiling customers who reimagine things they buy at the Forest Grove ReStore, and we’re so excited to present our latest story about the beautiful creations of Judy Weidner. She spoke briefly with our marketing manager at the West Tuality Habitat Women Build event where she shared a bit of her story in between learning to use impact drivers. We followed up and, via emails, she shared her story:

I have been a furniture refinisher/flipper for many years, but in the last few years my hobby has become a sort of therapy. After I lost my son to suicide five years ago it was hard to find a reason to get up in the morning. One day I just decided that I needed to get myself back out to the garage and do something constructive. I found that the time spent out there with my tools and my paint gave me a place to concentrate on something besides my grief and gave me purpose.

I also have had a passion for taking something that is old and worn out and giving it new life. If I can keep a dresser or a desk out of the landfill then I’m happy. Being able to shop at the West Tuality Habitat for Humanity Restore allows me to give back to the community through donations and I always find really great pieces there for a fair price. It’s just a win-win situation!

I really didn’t know what I was doing when I first started out but I’ve learned through trial and error. I’ve definitely made some mistakes along the way. I try to follow trends when I’m redoing a piece because I want it to sell, but every now and then I just go out on a limb and use a color that’s fun. I’m partial to green so once in awhile I will use it. I guess other people like green because I’ve sold everything I’ve painted that color even though it’s kind of bold.

I think Mondays or Tuesdays are the best day to visit the Restore. I think people are more apt to drop off furniture donations on the weekend so all the fresh items are in the store ready to go at the first of the week.

I love to shop at the Forest Grove location because it’s clean and organized and the staff is so helpful and never complain about loading furniture for me. The first time I went to the store I didn’t realize there was a back warehouse full of awesome finds. Now I just head directly back there because that is where the bargains are.

I have been refinishing furniture for close to 20 years and have tried all the different trends, but I always come back to the basics which involves lots of sanding and paint or stain. It’s a process that can’t be rushed if you want good looking pieces.

I sell on Facebook Marketplace for the most part and I have an Instagram account, CrookedCactusFurniture. I make some money so I can buy more furniture to refinish. LOL. It’s kind of an addiction. Occasionally I’ll have someone pay me to refinish a piece for them, but I prefer to do my own thing. There is a certain amount pressure when you might mess up grandma’s 200 year old dresser!

Having a resource like the Habitat for Humanity Restore has been amazing. The furniture selection is great and the prices are unbeatable. Whether you are looking for pieces to use in your home or pieces to flip you’re sure to find something awesome there and as an added bonus you are helping others to build a better life.

I’ll always love to shop at the Forest Grove location.

What a testimonial! This brought one staff member to tears! We cannot thank you enough, Judy, for sharing this amazing story!

The Forest Grove ReStore is open Monday through Saturdays, 9 to 5. Sales help support the programs of West Tuality Habitat for Humanity.

If you have recycled and re-imagined something you bought at the Forest Grove ReStore, or have bought something and placed it in your home, as is, and you think it’s particularly beautiful or interesting, we want to hear from you! Please send your story and photos to photos@westtualityhabitat.org. And if you have a blog idea for the Forest Grove ReStore and want to submit a drafter, we would love to hear from you!