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Turning trash into treasure - ‘Jodi the Island Girl’ acing DIY challenges

Published:Friday | October 23, 2020 | 12:11 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Who says mirrors should only be on the wall? This revamped, mirrored dresser further accentuated Tucker’s personalised room decor.
This eight-year-old couch needed a little facelift, so Tucker implemented Operation Makeover.
The queen of DIY, Jodi-Ann Tucker, beams with great pride alongside her decorative stand.
Tucker’s dresser before.
Tucker’s newly renovated armchair.
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Jodi-Ann Tucker has always taken an innovative and creative approach to lifestyle.

From fashion to beauty and, recently, home decor, you name it, she claims it and stamps her unique signature spin, maintaining glam in both her style and surroundings.

“Being an only child from humble beginnings, I had no choice but to be creative,” Tucker told Living about what sparked her passion for do-it-yourself (DIY) projects.

With no toys to play with, she turned to everyday household items. Her first project back in high school was to make a tote bag. This, she says, was a miss rather than a hit because it ripped before the day was over.

But for the budding fashionista, the enlightening and fascinating process was far sweeter than the tattered and torn outcome. She took the productive role more seriously, immersing herself into fixing anything she could while improving her skills and techniques along the way.

PHOENIX IN FASHION

Fast-forward to adulthood. Tucker rose from those ashes a phoenix in fashion and decor, turning trash into treasure, as she calls it, by repurposing and revamping old items. These items include clothing, decorative items, household furniture, and more.

During the lockdown and quarantine period as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was faced with more time on her hands. So Tucker, who also refers to herself as ‘Jodi the Island Girl’, spent most of her days doing various crafts, from renovating her dining room decor to adding a sophisticated touch to DIY vases, lamps, vanity trays, stools, flowerpots, and plant holders. The wife and mother of one decided in this period to also embark on her most challenging initiative yet: upholstering her sofa chair.

Her pride project sought to redefine her favourite chair with a design that best represents her personality and flair. “I’ve had this sofa for roughly eight years now and thought it needed a facelift,” she explained. Selecting her material of choice at Ping’s Fabric, she got to work and was amazed by the results. “You don’t have to be an expert to get things done,” she added. Tucker has taken things a step further by documenting her journey, sharing step-by-step procedures and useful tips on her YouTube channel.

The island girl advises those who are interested in exploring DIY interior design projects to always aim for comfort and functionality. “Find items that fit your personality at an affordable cost,” she says.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com