About Me

Hi, I’m Anita Holland—a lifestyle Village Manager by day and a DIY tragic the rest of the time. In mid-2016, with my kids out of the nest, I went hunting for a hobby. My first project was an epoxy resin clock. It turned out so well, I was hooked, and Unique Creations by Anita was born.

How it started

Between my husband and my son, our shed already had a decent tool stash, so I jumped straight in. As a beginner, I didn’t want to waste money on new timber. I practised on curb-finds and battered furniture, sanding, staining, and sealing until each piece felt new again. I sold early projects to fund the next ones, and soon our small town began offering me their “too-far-gone” furniture for free. That’s when upcycling became my thing—make it unique, make it affordable, and use what you’ve got.

What you’ll find here

I share step-by-step tutorials with clear photos, materials lists, tips, and the odd hard-won lesson. Projects range from furniture flips and garden décor to wall art, storage, signage, and playful makes for the family. I’m big on budget-friendly builds, recycled materials, and ideas you can adapt at home.

My style

I adore mixed-media and steampunk. Expect black gesso, layered textures, found objects, gears, metallic waxes, and a good bit of grunge. On the woodworking side, I love experimenting—Shou Sugi Ban finishes, pallet rescues, wine-barrel staves, and anything that turns scrap into something special. Resin still shows up often in trays, art, suncatchers, and durable finishes.

Tools I love

You’ll see me use an xTool P2 CO₂ laser for cutting and engraving (hello, big layered wall art and custom signs), plus my Cricut Explore Air 2 for vinyl stencils, decals, and template work. In the workshop, it’s the usual suspects—planer, orbital sander, router, table saw and jigsaw—paired with paints, inks, waxes, and polyurethane for tough, lasting finishes.

Community & features

I’m active in the International Bloggers Club (IBC) and the Do It Over Designers hops, which keep me trying new themes and techniques. My tutorials also appear on DIY platforms like Hometalk and Instructables, and I share extras on Pinterest to help more makers find budget ideas that actually work.

Why I upcycle

Upcycling respects the planet, your budget, and your time. Old furniture has character and solid bones—perfect for learning and for standout makeovers. Most of my builds use recycled timber, hardware, and found bits. The goal is always the same: high impact, low waste.

Self-taught & always learning

I’m completely self-taught—no formal training. I design on the fly and often adapt mid-project when something doesn’t go to plan. It’s part of the fun, and things always work out in the end.

I share tutorials as a fellow DIY enthusiast, not as a professional. Everything here is simply what worked for me with the tools and materials I had. Please use your own judgement, check your manuals, follow safety guidelines, and tweak steps to suit your set-up.

The real-life bits

I’m Australia-based and often make for family and friends—nursery shelves, garden décor, wedding keepsakes, and gifts with personal details. Two beloved (and very cheeky) Jack Russell terriers keep me on my toes. My husband jumps in on the tricky wiring, and the whole clan road-tests what I make.

Let’s make something

I want you to feel confident to try the project you’ve been eyeing. Browse the tutorials, save ideas for later, and subscribe via the pop-up to catch new builds. If you get stuck, ask in the comments—I’m happy to help. And if you reinvent one of my projects, please share your photos. I love seeing your spin on it.

Thanks for visiting Unique Creations by Anita. Grab some scrap wood, rescue that “beyond repair” chair, and let’s turn it into something brilliant.