Hi! My name is Denise Corcoran (aka Thrifty By Design). I'm a community catalyst, crafter extraordinaire & upcycler of things based in North Vancouver, BC. My passion is to turn ‘junk’ into new & funky pieces.

Sharing my enthusiasm for crafting & upcycling, I facilitate ‘Crafternoons’ throughout Vancouver where participants of all ages & skill levels learn how to make things from unorthodox materials. I also teach a series of classes called Crafting with 'Crap' where students make awesome stuff out of repurposed items, i.e. burlap, wine corks & we even do a bit of dumpster/recycle bin diving. Why not?!

Other than crafting & teaching, I write for a couple of online publications plus I recently authored a crafty book called Raw Crafts: 40 Projects From Hemp, Jute, Burlap & Cork filled with fun & simple DIYs.

Meanwhile I also have a day job making digital content magic happen at a local university. Plus I'm taking courses in their Community Development & Outreach program.

Nerd by day, crafter by night, community connector always - that's how I roll.