Repurpose, Reclaim and Redefine Leisure Time

  

Alberta’s premier DIYista, author and columnist, Linda Bodo, rescues items destined for our landfills and gives them a second life by upcycling everyday objects into chic designs for the home and garden. Her passion for do-it-yourself embraces the simple pleasure of working with one’s hands; a form of stress management that builds muscle for the soul through the whack of a hammer or the rev of a power tool. Her projects can be accomplished by DIY aficionados and virgins alike in an hour or a week end.

Linda’s first book, Enjoy Life Outside has inspired DIY enthusiasts with al fresco projects designed to wow outdoor living spaces. Her second book, The Art of Upcycle takes DIY to DIWise by reusing refuse to embellish interiors while reducing spending and our landfills.

Linda blends humour, personal narratives and unique projects into inspiring presentations guaranteed to motivate individuals from all walks of life. From small scale demos to large venues, she regularly showcases her DIY projects and workshops with ardent audiences.

Armed with a degree under her tool belt, Linda has ‘imagineered’ dreams into reality for three decades in her native Edmonton, Alberta. In 1989 she founded PROPabilities corp, a design studio specializing in the manufacture of oversized props for shopping centres and commercial venues. In 2005 she shifted gears from large corporate projects to manageable home crafts that anyone can realize.

For six years Linda has been a regular columnist in Edmontonians Magazine with ‘Absolute Bodo’, a guide dedicated to the ‘Art of Living’ and contributes to Enjoy Gardening Magazine with do it yourself projects. She has appeared on Breakfast TV, City TV, CTV and Easy Rock FM.

 

 If you thought it was cool how MacGyver could take a Swiss Army knife, door knob, copper wire and crushed Aspirin to jury rig an explosive, wait until you see what Linda Bodo can do with a wine bottle, plywood, 20-gauge wire and hot glue sticks. The Edmonton-based do-it-yourself guru and author of ‘The Art of Upcycle’: Repurpose, Reclaim & Redefine Leisure Time is a crafty DIYer trying to save the planet one soup tin at a time.
-Calgary Herald

 

 

Bodo makes each and every project simple to get started as she provides a timeline, materials list and tools list. Not only is ‘Enjoy Life Outside’ a step-by-step DIY book, there are words of encouragement and inspiration. The DIY projects in this book are stress relievers, an outlet for creativity and a sense of accomplishment.                                                   
-Edmonton Sun
 

 

Upcycling is not a flash-in-the-pan fad, either, says Bodo. As more people incorporate “being green” into the home and everyday living, the word is gaining a foothold in the home-style vernacular. “It’s a trend that’s percolating right now, but it’s here to stay because we are becoming more and more aware of our planet and how we have to look after Mother Earth,” says Bodo.
-Victoria Times Colonist

 

 

 

Martha Stewart has nothing on Linda Bodo, a tried, tested and true Do-it-yourselfer.
-Avenue Magazine

Linda was a resounding success at the Home and Garden Show…her body language, communication skills and use of quality props all contributed to an enjoyable DIY experience for audience members.-Scott Boyd, Exec Officer, CHBA-CA (2004 – 2009)

 

 

 

Inspiring, great ideas, simple projects, easy to follow instructions…Linda wakes up the creative side in all of us.
-U of A Hospital Staff Wellness Committee  

 

Speaking engagements, demos, and workshops:

 

 

 

 

Edmonton Home & Garden shows
Calgary Home & Garden shows
Red Deer Home shows                               
Regina Spring Home shows
Edmonton Women’s Show                         
Breakfast TV, City TV, CTV
Easy Rock FM   
Indigo, Chapters, Coles
Capital Health                                               
Rona                                                  
Banff Library                                                 
Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre
Barrhead Green Expo
Rocky Mountain House trade show
Strathcona Garden Club
Sangudo Horticultural Club
Holes Greenhouses