Jump directly to the content
HOUSE ABOUT IT

I was a waitress when I started turning rubbish into beautiful furniture – I quit my job & now earn thousands

A WAITRESS who was put on furlough revealed how she started turning other people’s rubbish into beautiful pieces of furniture.

Shayna Alnwick now transforms furnishings full time and has made thousands from her handiwork. 

Shayna Alnwick was able to quit her job as a waitress and start transforming furniture
7
Shayna Alnwick was able to quit her job as a waitress and start transforming furnitureCredit: theflippedpiece/Instagram
Shayna picks up free or cheap pieces from Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or from her local area
7
Shayna picks up free or cheap pieces from Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or from her local areaCredit: theflippedpiece/Instagram
The talented craftswoman then transforms them into beautiful pieces to sell
7
The talented craftswoman then transforms them into beautiful pieces to sellCredit: theflippedpiece/Instagram

Shayna founded her website, after spotting an old children’s wardrobe on Facebook marketplace. 

After arranging to collect it, she then used some paint to give it a new lease of life, and found the experience “therapeutic”. 

At the time, the hospitality worker had been placed on furlough from her restaurant, and decided sprucing up furniture would be a good way to “keep her mind busy”.

She then started to scour the internet for items going to landfills and later sold her first piece on Instagram for £50. 

Speaking to the , she said: “I made a few pennies, it was great because I hadn't spent a penny.”

Shayna later moved to Glasgow with her husband and started to look for new pieces to spruce up her home, and watched tutorials to improve her skills.

She added: "Since then I have done over 100 pieces. Giving them a professional face lift has become my full time job."

The talented craftswoman said she even gives each furniture piece a name and gender, such as a gothic-style sideboard she called Draco Malfoy. 

The most expensive piece she’s sold is a dressing table for £495 - but claims sideboards and TV units are most in demand. 

She picks up most items from Gumtree, marketplaces and from people in the community, and typically manages to complete two a week. 



FABULOUS BINGO: GET A £5 FREE BONUS WITH NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED

She added: "Each one takes around two days, and will sell for a minimum profit of £150.”

Shayna’s work has proved a huge hit online, and she has racked up over 2million likes on

She’s also launched virtual DIY classes to help people get started in their own homes, and her average turnover is £2,000 a month.

The talented craftswoman said she even gives each furniture piece a name and gender
7
The talented craftswoman said she even gives each furniture piece a name and genderCredit: theflippedpiece/Instagram
Shayna claims sideboards and TV units are most in demand
7
Shayna claims sideboards and TV units are most in demandCredit: theflippedpiece/Instagram
She will typically take on two old projects a week
7
She will typically take on two old projects a weekCredit: theflippedpiece/Instagram
She said she makes a minimum of £150 profit per item
7
She said she makes a minimum of £150 profit per itemCredit: theflippedpiece/Instagram

Previously, a woman makes £1.3k by upcycling furniture & selling it on – these are her tips.

In other news check out this woman who revealed a cheap life hack which will have your clothes smelling fresh & it 'lasts forever'.

For more cleaning tips check this, Mrs Hinch reveals exact method to getting her bathroom sparkling using eBay SOCKS & powder toilet cleaner.

I’m a furniture flipper, I found an old table in the street, used some glue to mend it then put it on eBay and sold it for £200
Topics