Hidden Gems: Meet Rhonda McDonald of Macworks Furniture Painting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhonda McDonald. 

Hi Rhonda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am from a small country town (Elgin, Texas) about 25 minutes outside of Austin. I grew up on a small family farm; which is the only black-owned farm part of Blackland Prairie…The McDonald Farm :-). Unbeknownst to me, my journey with upcycling began as a child when my family would salvage discarded furniture and household items for personal use or if the church needed items. Back then it was called survival; now it’s Upcycling. I’ve been upcycling for family and friends for years as a hobby. I decided to monetize this hobby and turn it into a business during the pandemic when so many people were losing their income. Having a second stream of income that I controlled become a priority for me.

I’ve been living in Dallas for 3-years and noticed that a lot of folks in the black community discard their real wood furniture for particle board furniture because it’s light weight and perhaps more modern. My only assumption is they don’t realize the value of their real wood furniture pieces thrown out on the curbside and how it can be customized to fit your style. Many times, I’ve gone back to homes and showed individuals pictures of the newly upcycled or refurbished piece and they are thoroughly surprised at the results and ask to purchase. After the 2020 Texas Winter Storms many people lost their particle board furniture after pipes busted in homes and apartment and now some really understand the value of real wood furniture pieces that can stand the tests of time

I love restoring furniture pieces and continue to be motivate by the expression on my customers’ faces when they purchase or after I customize their heirloom piece. My goal is to eventually go full-time with this and expand my business selling 20+ pieces per month and customizing five (5) orders per month.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My biggest challenge is time. I still have my daytime job and can only work on painting pieces and back-office work after hours and on the weekends. Being a creative, posting ads, painting, and engaging with potential customers is definitely a full-time gig.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Macworks Furniture Painting is a furniture painting business that focus on styles more fitting for afrochic decor. It is unique in that my focus has evolved into primarily fabrics for chairs with an afrochic theme, bold Afrocentric and bohemian designs, colors, and focusing on showing the beautiful wood grain in pieces which is quintessential to boho, afrochic, and eclectic decor. Although beautiful, pastel colors are not part of my primary color palate. My pieces are available for shipping across the United States and can be purchased on Etsy, DFW area customers can visit my newly expanded boutique inside Knick Knack Antique Mall in Duncanville.

Whether thrifting or salvaging what’s been discarded in my community and across the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex my desire is to do my part in removing/saving furniture from the waste system which reduces air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse emissions. With the help of a very supportive family, friends, and an extremely skilled boyfriend I set out on this journey and I am not turning back.

What makes you happy?
Being with family/friends – celebrating anything with good food, conversation, fun, and laughter. My best days have been and continue to be on the McDonald Farm with my family, that place fills my heart with joy, love, and happiness.

Pricing:

• Thrifted dresser – $30 and sales for $400

Contact Info:

• Email: rhonda@macworksfurniturepainting.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macworks_furniture_painting/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MacworksLLC