Second-Chance Studio

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to mean buying everything new. Discover five creative thrifted wedding ideas — from vintage centerpieces to unique favors — that add personality and charm to your big day

Add a handmade detail to your wedding day with DIY embroidered napkins made from thrifted cloth napkins. This simple wedding DIY is perfect for couples planning a sustainable, vintage-inspired, or budget-friendly wedding celebration.

Introducing our new Community Collaborators: creators bringing secondhand to life through fashion, home finds, DIY, and everyday thrift wins. Expect big style, smart tips, and lots of treasure-hunt energy.

Artist Cheryl Anderson, known as The Dotting Chick, shares how to turn a thrifted vase into a relaxing, hand-painted Valentine’s Day keepsake. Using simple dot painting techniques and an affordable Goodwill find, this DIY project proves that creativity—and second chances—can turn everyday items into meaningful art.

Turn a thrifted puzzle into a charming Valentine’s Day heart wreath using simple materials, hot glue, and creativity. This easy DIY adds layered texture and heart-filled style to your seasonal décor.

Looking for a gift that feels personal without feeling over-the-top? This star-crossed vase DIY transforms a simple thrifted glass vase into a constellation-inspired keepsake using gold paint and your zodiac signs. It’s easy, affordable, and proof that secondhand pieces can shine a little brighter.

Learn how to turn thrifted frames into cozy winter wall décor with easy DIY ideas using Goodwill finds, paint, decoupage paper, and a little sparkle.

This festive DIY project transforms a simple thrifted plate into a charming Santa cookie plate using dot-painting techniques. Artist Cheryl Anderson shows how easy it is to create a handmade holiday keepsake for under a dollar. Perfect for gifting, celebrating traditions, or adding a personal touch to the holidays.

Meet Goodwill’s first-ever Community Collaborators—five local creators bringing their own unique thrift style, DIY inspiration and sustainable living ideas to our community. Follow along as they share fresh, creative secondhand content all season long.

This DIY guide shows how to transform secondhand finds into beautiful holiday centerpieces. Perfect for decorating your home or gifting to someone special.

Upcycling pro Jen Dunne turns a broken thrifted clock into a cozy fall masterpiece in this Goodwill Second Chance Studio tutorial. Follow her step-by-step guide to create your own pumpkin floral wall art—proof that even broken things can bloom again.

Goodwill Thrift Studio kicked off Arts in the Dark Chicago with The Haunted Runway, a live DIY costume contest celebrating creativity, sustainability, and secondhand style. Hosted by Suavé — professional MC/DJ and founder of Hip Hop ConnXion — and powered by DJ Ray, the event lit up State Street with music, dance, and thrifted looks. Paradegoers voted live via QR code, crowning Mad Hatter Janna as winner. The Haunted Runway proved that fashion can be fearless, sustainable, and community-powered — all 100% thrifted and 100% nonprofit.

Need a costume in a pinch? From Kim Possible to Effie Trinket, these Goodwill finds show how to thrift five creative Halloween looks under $20—plus two easy DIY tutorials for last-minute magic.

Give your Halloween décor a haunting twist with this DIY spooky mirror project. Using a thrifted mirror and a few simple supplies, you’ll create a ghostly reflection that’s perfect for scaring friends, family, or party guests. Affordable, creative, and eerie—it’s a Halloween hack made possible with Goodwill.

Upcycle an old sign into ghost party art with this Halloween DIY from Goodwill’s Content Creator, and skilled upcycler, Jen Dunne. Using thrifted finds, paint, and texture, you’ll create a spooky, sustainable piece of décor that’s both fun and affordable.

Welcome fall with a simple DIY wreath made from thrifted finds. Learn how to craft an autumn door wreath with seasonal flowers, ribbon, and a few easy steps.

Turn thrifted finds into a festive fall decoration! Follow these easy steps to create a DIY scarecrow that’s fun, affordable, and perfect for your porch this Halloween.