Check Out the Eco Relics Wood Shop [14 pics!]

Buying furniture can be a daunting task for the ecologically-motivated shopper. A life cycle assessment of the average piece of big box store furniture is a scary sight. Carbon emissions, toxicity of materials, forestry practices, VOCs, and other concerns often lead furniture seekers to greener alternatives. Vintage Furniture Vintage or used furniture is one option. By keeping money out of…

Of all the building supplies acquired at the Eco Relics architectural salvage company, vintage and antique doors are among the most sought-after. Doors are often taken for granted, but they preform many silent (or squeaky) services beyond their aesthetic appeal. When open, doors admit people, animals, ventilation, and light. When closed, doors prevent the spread of noise or fire, enclose…

Our custom craftsmen in the wood shop, are always looking for creative ways to use live edge cookie slabs, and when Billy was approached by a customer with a different idea, he knew he could count on Roni Luebkert of RL Pyrography to help with this Cookie Slab Table With Pyrography And Paint Design project. (Click here to see another…

What is the difference between an artist and a craftsperson? That is the question I contemplated when I started thinking about the Fabrications Crew here at the Eco Relics architectural salvage warehouse. As it turns out, most of our fabricators would probably consider themselves both artists and craftspeople. Outside of work they paint, draw, and sculpt. They bring that creativity…

Woodworking with reclaimed and salvaged lumber is a great way to lend some authentic Americana to a DIY project. “Weathered” is not a look that is easily faked. When done wrong, it just looks terrible. On the other hand, genuine patina not only adds aesthetic value to a piece, it can also provide a protective covering to material that might otherwise…

The Eco Relics crew is a great resource for Jacksonville’s DIY community. We are wood workers, metal workers, engineers, draftsmen, and builders of all kinds with over a century of experience and we are always available for you to consult. And we’ve just deepened our knowledge and experience by adding another unique personality to our crew. Let’s take a minute…

Music fans rejoice! Did you know that there are vinyl records in the Eco Relics architectural salvage warehouse? Even if you don’t have a record player (for shame!), there are plenty of things you can do with our records. If it is unlikely that your old Johnny Mathis platter will ever spin again, consider repurposing it. A little heat will soften up…

*This article originally appeared in August 2016 and contains updated material. You know the old saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” It might as well be the Code of Hammurabi at Eco Relics. If it can be reused, recycled, or repurposed, it’s not trash! The crew takes great pride in the length of time between visits from the…

There is just something incredible about walking through an antique furniture shop in Jacksonville. Here are Eco Relics, we have been excited to grow our selection of antiques. We have had the chance to find some incredible treasures in our search. How Old Does Something Have to Be to Be Considered an Antique? When it comes to most things, the…

A Very Short History of Signage Merchants and tradespeople have used signs to advertise their services for at least 5,000 years. Symbols, rather than writing, was the preferred method to communicate to potential buyers before widespread literacy. In ancient Rome, a bush of ivy and vines engraved in stone or terra cotta indicated a tavern. Besides directing thirsty patrons to…

An underground landfill fire in St. Louis has been burning for nearly four years, releasing toxic concentrations of benzene and hydrogen sulfide. It threatens to contaminate the water supply with radioactive compounds. In January 2014, sixty elementary school students and staff were hospitalized following exposure to carbon monoxide from a leaking landfill. City officials in Bozeman, Montana allowed the construction…

Looking to beat the heat this summer? You don’t need a pool or beach-side address to capture the shady relief of a traditional cabana. With a few modifications, a porch, deck, or even a room indoors can take on the look and feel of a cabana in your own home. Even folks in New York City are getting in on…

If you are in the market for antique electronics in Jacksonville, then Eco Relics is the place to go. We have been able to acquire quite a bit of vintage items and salvage materials over the last year. When we first started out with this business, we had no idea how big it could grow. Our Passion For Jacksonville The…

DIY is for everyone! It’s a common feature of our American heritage across all cultural distinctions. DIY is a bonding experience for young and old, an opportunity to share skills across generations. It instills the confidence that only comes from a sense of self-reliance and knowledge of past accomplishments. Independence is a function of doing it yourself. Debbie’s DIY Kitchen…

It’s time for Spring projects! We didn’t have to wait for the snow to melt, but Spring still inspires the creator in all of us. Azaleas are blooming, bees are buzzing, and everywhere you look, nature’s busy builders are collecting raw materials and fashioning them into something they can use. Here’s a couple of recent projects, one from our wood…