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Kieran’s Upcycling Journey: A New Chapter in Creativity and Authenticity

Hi everyone, it’s Kieran, and I’m back—rewind, let’s try that again—hi everyone, it’s Kieran! After a hiatus, I’m returning to YouTube with a fresh perspective, a rebranded channel, and a renewed passion for sharing my quirky, creative projects. My channel, formerly 81 Vintage, is now Kieran’s Upcycling Journey, reflecting my ever-evolving interests and my mission to turn trash into treasure. In this article, I’ll catch you up on where I’ve been, what’s next, and how my new paint line and a dream involving tiger print fit into this exciting new chapter.

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The Challenges of YouTube and Staying True to Myself

Let’s be real—YouTube is hard. A law student once told me that making it on YouTube is tougher than passing the bar exam, and I believe it. Between coming up with project ideas, filming, editing, changing camera angles every eight seconds, perfecting lighting, and avoiding repetitive phrases to keep viewers engaged, it’s a lot to juggle. Add in the fierce competition and the pressure to look polished, and it can feel overwhelming. I’m not here to be a mega-influencer; I just want to share the weird and wonderful things I love to create and sell and maybe make a little money along the way.

In the past, I struggled with feeling inauthentic. I’d edit out the real me—the pajama-wearing, slightly disheveled Kieran who crafts with unfiltered passion. That wasn’t fair to myself or to you, my community. This time, I’m leaning into my weirdness, doing YouTube my way, and letting my true self shine through, unflattering pajamas and all.

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The Shop That Didn’t Work (And What I Learned)

Let’s talk about the shop. In short, it failed. The space was too small, we couldn’t stock enough inventory, and it lacked the vibrant vibe of our old shop. Plus, with people feeling the financial pinch, spending was down—a common struggle I’ve heard from others in my community groups. But it wasn’t all bad news. We held a grand clearance sale, slashed prices, and sold everything in a single weekend. We covered our costs, made a small profit on some items, and only took home the pieces we wanted to keep. It was a win in its own way.

The money from the sale helped, but it didn’t last. After being made redundant from my job and receiving a settlement (which taxes and debts quickly diminished), I decided to enjoy a nice Christmas and start job hunting in the new year. Funnily enough, my old employer offered me my position back, but just weeks after I returned, they announced a buyout, putting my job at risk again. Talk about déjà vu.

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Battling Imposter Syndrome and Finding Inspiration

The past year wasn’t easy. I grappled with imposter syndrome, questioning my abilities and losing confidence. I wasn’t sure if I’d return to YouTube—until you, my incredible community, reminded me why I started. Your messages asking where I’ve been and the news that my videos have been viewed over 250,000 times (not too shabby!) reignited my spark. I realized I’d been holding back, editing out the messy, authentic parts of myself. This time, I’m committed to being real, sharing my journey—pajamas, chaos, and all.

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A New Name, A New Vision

That’s why I’m rebranding the channel to Kieran’s Upcycling Journey. My interests go beyond furniture, and they’re always evolving. One week I might be upcycling a chair; the next I’m transforming a wine crate or dreaming up a tiger-print-covered vintage car (more on that later). My goal is simple: save money, make money, or make something beautiful. I’m not tying myself to a rigid schedule or specific content. I’ve tried doing five videos a week, and it was nearly impossible to sustain alone. Instead, I’ll post when I can, share what excites me, and see where this journey takes us.

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Introducing My Paint Line

One of the biggest updates is the launch of my paint line, now available on my Etsy store (link in the description below). I’ve been using this paint throughout my break, and I genuinely love it. It’s a small-batch, UK-only soft launch, so quantities are limited. If you try it, please share your feedback—what you love, how it compares to other paints, or any suggestions. Your input will help shape the future of this product. My crafting space is currently littered with pots of this paint, and I’m excited to see how it fits into my projects and yours.

Tiger Print Dreams and Future Plans

So, where does tiger print come in? Picture this: if I ever get that YouTube paycheck, I’m buying a vintage car and giving it the ultimate upcycle treatment. Think bold tiger print interiors and an exterior so wild it’ll make pimps jealous. It’s a dream project that embodies my love for quirky, eye-catching designs. For now, I’m focusing on smaller projects, like the ones you’ll see in my upcoming video, which I’ve already filmed and can’t wait to share.

Join Me on This Journey

Thank you for sticking with me, for sending those messages, and for watching my videos. You’ve reminded me why I love this community and why I’m here. Kieran’s Upcycling Journey is about transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, whether it’s a piece of furniture, a vintage car, or even my own confidence. From pallets to wine crates, nothing goes to waste, and every project tells a story.

If you’re excited to follow along, hit that subscribe button and join me in turning trash into treasure. Check out my Etsy store for the paint line, and stay tuned for more videos showcasing unique creations. Here’s to creativity, authenticity, and a whole lot of upcycling magic!

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