Winner Reveal! 3D Printed Ornament Contest

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On Wednesday, December 17th Habitat and Spectra 3D Technologies announced the winning design of the first “Habitat for the Holidays: 3D Printed Ornament Contest”. After the reveal, multiples of the winning 3D ornament became available for sale at $4.99 each. The ornaments will remain for sale in the store until they are sold out. All proceeds will benefit Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

The winning design was created by Roger Gauthier. He received a $100 ReStore gift card and a free print of his ornament. Congratulations, Roger!

Also, from noon to 6pm that same day Spectra 3D Technologies held a live 3D printing demonstration. Both events were open to the public.

Roger Gauthier stands next to a display of his winning 3D ornament.

Roger Gauthier stands next to a display of his winning 3D ornament.

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The digital submission of Gauthier’s winning ornament.

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Habitat for the Holidays: 3D Printed Ornament Contest

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3D printing is all over the news these days and now you get a chance to be part of the next big thing. Starting today through November 24th, the public is invited to submit original 3D designs to “Habitat for the Holidays: 3D Printed Ornament Contest”. Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is partnering with Spectra3D Technologies to host its first 3D ornament design contest. The winning design will be printed in multiples and sold to the public at the Habitat ReStore, and the designer will win a $100 gift card to the store as well as a free 3D print of their ornament. Files of other submissions will also be available for purchase online for those who want and have the ability to print their own ornaments. All proceeds from sales related to this contest will benefit Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

“I’m an evangelist for 3D printing and I just like to build awareness for its capabilities. And to help Habitat at the same time, that’s even better,” said Steve Schain, President of Spectra3D Technologies.

Contest guidelines, including links to resources on how to design a 3-dimensional object for printing and options for free software to use for the contest, are available online at www.HabitatOrnamentContest.com. Submissions will be judged by a panel of artists and 3D printing specialists from the community. Judging will be based on creativity, design quality, and adherence to guidelines. Ornaments should have a holiday theme and be no larger than 3”x3”x3”. The winning design will be announced at 2:45pm on Wednesday, December 10th at the Habitat ReStore (located at 31 Meadow Road in Asheville), where a live 3D printing demonstration will take place until 6pm.

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ReUse Contest Winners Announced!

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We are pleased to announce the winners of the third annual ReStore ReUse Contest. The forty entries ranging from furniture to houses and everything in between, were built using predominantly reused materials. The judges selected winners in five categories: Furniture, Homesteading, Live/Work Space, Best in Show and the add-on category Most Unique. And for the first time, voting was also open to the public. Public voting in the ReStore and on Pinterest generated the winner in the People’s Choice category.

The winners are:

Homesteading – Tim and Amanda Sorrill

Furniture – Ana Medina

Live and/or Work Space – Wayne Ruth

Best in Show – John and Diane Vogt

Most Unique – Jeff Tallman

People’s Choice – Doug Parris

Photos of  these and all entries, can be viewed in this FlickR album.

The purpose of the contest is to showcase innovative projects constructed predominantly of used building materials. Entries were judged on quality of design and execution; replicability of concept; clarity of description; and quality of photos. “We really saw a lot of ingenuity and complexity this year,” said judge and ReStore General Manager Scott Stetson. “We even decided to add a Most Unique category to more fairly judge the entries that did not necessarily fit neatly into one of the other pre-established categories.”

In addition to Stetson, the judging panel included:

Joel Johnson, Asheville Habitat’s Home Repair Project Supervisor

Linda Keep, 2013 winner in the Furniture category

David Earl Tomlinson, local metalworker/metal artist and musician

Brigitte Bassham, Habitat homeowner, teacher, and reuse enthusiast

Keep, who won the Furniture category in 2013, especially loved this year’s winning entry in that category. “The door and bathroom vanity cabinet transformed into a mudroom bench is completely replicable – one of the criteria for judging. I could find a vintage door and old cabinet at the ReStore and make this project myself. And I think I might!”

 

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ReUse Contest: People’s Choice voting 9/5 – 9/15

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Voting is now open for the People’s Choice award in the 2014 ReStore ReUse Contest! Vote in the Asheville ReStore (lower level showroom, on the wall) and/or on Pinterest between 9/5 and 9/15. One vote per person, per location. Our panel of judges will be convening next week to select the winners in the three main categories: Furniture, Homesteading and Live/Work Space. Winners of those categories as well as People’s Choice, will be announced later this month (September). Check out the 40 entries, vote, and be inspired to take on your own creative reuse project!

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ReStore Thanks Customers with Big Sale

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We’re saying thanks to the community for its ongoing support by offering 25% off storewide from 9am until 6pm on Saturday, September 13th. All ReStore merchandise – including furniture, housewares, appliances, building materials, antiques and more – will be 25% percent off! 98.1 The River will be broadcasting live from 9-11am, and free hot dogs and soft drinks will be served between noon and 2pm.

One of the highest ranked Habitat ReStores in the country, the Asheville Habitat ReStore was voted #1 Used Furniture Store in WNC by readers of Mountain Xpress, so check us out before you head anywhere else!

We are pleased to provide the community with a source for affordable home improvement items, while diverting 1,500 tons of usable material from the landfill each year!. And did you know ReStore proceeds help cover Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity’s administrative and fundraising expenses and provide funding for our building programs? So go ahead, shop — and feel good about it!

This kind of sale only happens twice each year, so come on out and see us on Saturday, September 13th from 9am until 6pm. Find a bargain and help us build and repair more homes in Buncombe County – without even lifting a hammer!

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Farewell to our longtime ReStore Manager

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In 14 years of managing Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, Jay Sloan led the store to be the 3rd in the nation for sales – out of nearly 800 ReStores! Jay served as ReStore General Manager for 12 years and stepped into a position as ReStore Donations Manager in the recent two years to “ease into retirement” while Scott Stetson (formerly Assistant Manager) took the helm as ReStore General Manager. Asheville Area Habitat sincerely thanks Jay, who retired on June 30th, for his years of service and dedication to Habitat’s mission.

Recently, Habitat staffers and volunteers gathered at the store for a celebration to wish Jay well in his retirement. Many people spoke to his accomplishments and leadership style, sharing funny stories and sincere compliments. View the photos and watch the videos.

Scott said, “Over the years, Jay has armed me with the knowledge and the skills to run one of the best performing and most respected ReStores in the country, and I’m really proud to be a part of that. Jay taught me the value of our precious volunteers. He definitely taught me valuable lessons that will stick with me for many years to come here at the ReStore.”

Lew Kraus noted that from the year Jaystarted as General Manager in 1988 to the year he stepped down, sales increased by 1,170%. “Many of you have heard me say that 30 years ago it took us 18 months to build our first [Habitat] house, and now, we are starting a new house every three and a half weeks. Much of that is due to the success of the ReStore and the money it puts into this organization—and Jay, you’ve brought us there, so thank you for that.” Proceeds from ReStore sales are a valuable source of sustainable income to the affiliate, helping to cover AAHH’s administrative and fundraising expenses and provide funding for building programs.

Jay was quick to reply: “To hear everyone speak you’d think I did this all single-handedly. Well, it doesn’t happen that way. The reason this store has performed the way it has is because of staff and volunteers. They all wanted this store to be successful and to perform well… I want to thank all of you—you’re the reason the store is where it’s at today.”

Jay is now enjoying retirement with his wife, Dorothy, in South Carolina.

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3rd Annual ReStore ReUse Contest

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The 2014 contest has ended. Winners will be announced later this month (September).

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The purpose of the contest is to showcase innovative building projects constructed predominantly of used building materials. “Our customers often tell us about the projects they make using materials purchased at the ReStore. This contest is a great way to showcase their projects and inspire others to reuse, recycle and repurpose usable building materials and supplies,” said Scott Stetson, ReStore Manager. “In the first two years of the contest, we had about 30 entries (each year), and this year we hope to see at least 50.”

Five judges will select winners in the following categories: Furniture, Homesteading, Live/Work Space, and Best in Show. New this year will be the People’s Choice Award. The public will be encouraged to vote for their favorite entry in the ReStore and on Pinterest from September 1-15, with details announced later this summer.

Need inspiration? View photos from the 2013 and 2012 contests.

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