about me | my story
I’m Molly, the hands, heart, and occasionally paint-splattered kurti behind UPCYCLD ART. If I had to pick one superpower, it would be tenacity – the kind that keeps you going through creative blocks, design deadlines, cracked wood, and the occasional “Molly, what are you doing with this broken thing?” from well-meaning friends.
I’ve always been an artist at heart. After studying Fine Arts and spending years in the design and advertising world, I realised I was busy building someone else’s dreams while mine sat quietly in a corner. That’s when UPCYCLD ART was born – from a very stubborn decision to choose my own path.
where it all began
Back in 2006, I found my niche completely by accident – or maybe nature nudged me. Being a lifelong nature lover, I started picking up discarded pieces of wood: cracked planks, wobbly stools, frames with flaws. Instead of seeing them as rejects, I saw possibility. They felt like forgotten stories waiting to be retold.
So I used them as my canvas – not just restoring their old purpose, but elevating them through art. Over time, this tiny experiment grew into commissioned pieces… and finally into my online shop in 2009. It wasn’t a straight road. There were plenty of failures, re-dos, and “what was I thinking” moments. But every piece taught me something.
why upcycling became my mission
The turning point was realising how rapidly we were losing trees. The demand for wood was rising, and deforestation was happening faster than we could replenish. I knew I didn’t want to contribute to that cycle. So I shifted fully to eco-friendly methods, using natural pigments made from flowers, rocks, and food waste. No chemicals, no shortcuts.
Today, every artwork in UPCYCLD ART begins as something discarded and becomes a gentle reminder of what still has value – in wood, in life, in all of us.
what I believe
Art and sustainability can absolutely coexist.
Beauty doesn’t always need to be brand new.
And old wood deserves the same respect as old stories.
My work is driven by the belief that mindful choices – even small ones – can make a big difference. Through upcycled furniture and hand-painted wooden decor, I hope to encourage more people to reuse what they already own, rethink what they throw away, and reconnect with nature in everyday ways.
made with intention
In my studio, sustainability isn’t just a concept - it’s a habit. A daily practice. A lifestyle.
Here’s what that looks like:
- I donate a tree sapling for every sale made on my online shop
- I make my own natural, non-toxic gouache paints from food waste, flowers, and rocks
- I reuse old boxes and recycled paper for packaging
- I send digital receipts only - no unnecessary printing
- My studio runs on air cooling (no AC)
- All food waste is composted and returned to the soil
Every piece you see here is created slowly, intentionally, and with deep respect for the environment.
what I hope for
Through my work, I want to spark conversations about mindful living, global warming, and the beauty of giving something old a second life. If my art inspires even one person to reuse, repair, rethink, or simply slow down for a moment, I feel like I’ve done my job.
Thank you for supporting a greener, gentler way of creating – and for letting these once-forgotten wooden pieces continue their journey in your home.
