The above birdcage, turned lamp is a For Keeps item from Dorothee Royal-Hedinger. I met Dorothee at Pivot this fall after connecting on Twitter. She is creator, co-producer and host of OrganicNation.tv, a web video series exploring the American sustainable food landscape. She is intrigued by guerrilla gardening, DIY culture, eco-fashion and sustainable design. You can follow her on Twitter @DorotheeRoyal.

Dorothee’s item: Painted birdcage

The story: “I purchased this painted birdcage in high school at a yard sale in Wilmette, IL. The woman who sold it to me said her family got it while on vacation in Bali. I bought it with cracks and paint chipping off because I was captivated by the colorful designs and handmade wood construction. I thought I’d only use it as decoration but my boyfriend surprised me by turning it into a working lamp! He carefully drilled a hole into the top and strung a light bulb into the center of the cage. I was nervous at first that the whole thing would catch on fire but two years later, it’s still a unique, functional lamp.”

Why it’s a For Keeps item: “It hangs by my front windows and makes me happy to look at everyday. I love knowing that another person’s junk can be repurposed in a stylish and practical way!”

For Keeps Sake category: These entries explore the items in our lives that are not disposable for reasons of good design, sentimental value, utility and more. From everyday objects to special treasures, let’s think about buying and owning more thoughtfully.