Whether we’re talking plastic or glass, empty bottles are full of potential. Sure, you can recycle them, but that still takes energy. In fact, both plastic and glass are often downcycled into products of lesser quality, which means they can only be recycled so many times before they end up in a landfill. Of course, the obvious solution is to upcycle those bottles into something new. Need a little inspiration?...
So, I mentioned in my last post about the toy chest that I turned into a LEGO table that I used a drawstring bag inside the chest to keep the LEGOs from falling out, and I told you that I’d tell you all about it another time. Well, here we are! The process for sewing a heavy-duty, large format drawstring bag is almost the same as it is for sewing the small ones that I often make....
Wondering what to do with your honey bear bottles after all the honey’s been squeezed out? Check out Scrumdilly-do for an upcycling idea that little kids, especially, are going to LOVE: honey bear paint bottles! Click over to Scrumdilly-do for the tutorial and extension activities for preschoolers. P.S. Need to clean the labels off of those bottles? Here’s how. [image: Scrumdilly-do]
Fancy up a thrift store t-shirt with an oversized bow! One of the things I love about thrifting is not just finding that cool vintage dress but when I run across something that’s screaming to be something else. It only took about an hour and change to add this bow detail to my thrifted tee, and I love how it turned out! Here’s how you can make your own. Add a Bow Collar to a T-Shirt Materials...
T-shirt reconstruction can range from simple to complex, and working with reclaimed tees can come with its own challenges. These are some handy tips to make it easier! We love a good t-shirt reconstruction craft, so you know we also loved this guide that Beth Byrge contributed to Sew Mama Sew. Beth walks you through 10 crucial steps to reconstructing an old t-shirt. She goes into everything from choosing the right pattern to choosing the right needle to understanding the fabric....
Wicker baskets are so useful, and yet for some reason they’re also the most susceptible to looking dated or tacky. The varnish color alone can age a basket. If there are any other embellishments, they’re likely to be agonizingly country or twee or 90s in a bad way. Don’t let a wicker basket’s unfortunate appearance blind you to how versatile it can be for containing and organizing your clutter in an attractive way....
I don’t know about your kids (or you!), but my kids want to dye Easter eggs every day. Seriously, everyone is required to eat at least two hard-boiled decorated eggs for lunch every day, and we’re still not getting through them as fast as they’re getting made. It’s my opinion, however, that repetition encourages creativity, in that everyone has long since grown tired of simple vinegar + food coloring preparations, and we’ve launched into the wide world of more unusual egg decorating projects....
I’m sure you guys have sorted out by now that I am crazy for upcycling neckties! Part of my obsession is probably due to the humungo stash of vintage neckties that my friend Alicia gave me, but I also just love working with ties. They’re versatile, usually come in super fun patterns and colorways, and the shape lends itself to so many creative projects. This necktie headband took me all of 5 minutes to make....
Fortunately, that mate-less sock doesn’t have to live the rest of its life alone in my Socks Sans Partners basket, only to eventually be tossed out, years later, when I’ve finally admitted the truth to myself. There are SO many cute ways to upcycle orphaned socks. So whether you like stuffies or doll clothes, bubble snakes or dog toys, check out my list of my favorite things to do with socks that have lost their mates....
Spray paint. Spray paint isn’t the greenest crafting supply, so opt for a low VOC paint, if you can. A plant Drill or hammer/nail Chalkboard paint Chalk Painter’s tape Recycled newspaper or other recycled paper How To Do It: Clean your metal tin. Spray paint the tin. Remember, several light coats will give you the best results. One heavy coat can give you drips in the paint! Before moving on to the next step, I would recommend letting your tin dry for 24 hours, otherwise your painter’s tape may peel off the paint when you do the chalkboard section (I know this because it happened to me)....
These sweet dessert toppers are simple Valentine’s Day crafts that come together in a flash! I used these to top a batch of vegan rice crispy treats, but you could also use them to add a little romance to cupcakes, cookies, brownies, or whatever dessert you’re making for Valentine’s Day. It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a sweet treat, and you can make it even sweeter with a DIY dessert topper made from junk mail envelopes....
There are already two great entries in the Flickr pool for the Stash Bust Contest. Don’t forget the contest closes on April 22nd! Are you planning on entering? After the jump find a whole-lotta inspiration, projects and even a 24 hour craft-a-thon to keep you stash busting and making. Need even more reasons on why to tame that over flowing stash of yours? Read up on 15 Reasons to Bust Your Stash from croq zine....
Alexandra Guerrero, a Chilean designer discovered that by using found cigarette butts, she could clean them and then spin them with wool to produce a yarn to knit and crochet into clothing. What began as a graduate thesis project, Guerrero heavily researched the possibility of reusing discarded cigarette butts that make up a vast amount of litter in Santiago, Chile. And according to the organization ButtsOut, 4.3 trillion cigarette butts are discarded and left for litter, around the world each year....
Craft show season is winding down here in the South, now that the weather is getting warmer. Those long days tending your booth take a toll on your whole body, for sure! Between hauling a heavy tent, tables, display, and merch and the 10+ hour days, your muscles take a beating. Rather than take over-the-counter medications, why not relieve your muscles a little more naturally with some yoga poses targeting the body parts that take the most abuse at a craft show?...
DIY decor doesn’t have to mean creating a new decor piece from scratch! Take the pieces you already have and give them a makeover instead. There are so many ways to create DIY lampshades by updating an existing one rather than buying new. I adore buying lamps and other lighting pieces from thrift stores and garage sales! Some would even say I might have a lamp problem. The thing is, it’s so easy to update and redo a lamp, and it makes a huge impact in your space!...
Feeling a little guilty as you gaze at that post-Labor Day recycle bin? Try some of these beer can crafts to use them up! Keeping America Beautiful estimated nearly 60 percent of aluminum cans were recycled in 2010. That’s a higher recovery rate than any other beverage container. It’s been noted that one recycled beer can saves enough energy to power your television for three hours. This is vital in preserving natural resources and lessening the amount of energy needed to manufacture virgin cans....
Got a stash of corrugated cardboard boxes? We’ve got your crafty inspiration right here! Check out these 15 cool cardboard crafts. Corrugated cardboard is a great reclaimed material to work with because it’s easy to cut yet pretty sturdy if you know how to work with it. You can reuse cardboard to create projects from beautiful wall art or kid games to functional pieces of furniture. This list runs the gamut!...
Spring is my favorite season to decorate for, because I am just so darn happy that it’s finally here! Don’t head to the store for a bunch of stuff to help your house look more spring-like, because nature is on your side. Check out the list below of my favorite nature crafts for spring, and get ready for warm weather! 1. bird feeders. Make the migrating birds feel welcome in their seasonal home!...
Tulle, unfortunately, is not an eco-friendly fabric, but there are eco-friendly ways to source it. Instead of buying tulle new, ask around to see if someone in your community has a stash that you can bust, or thrift your way into your own stash–check out the housewares and the formals sections of thrift stores, because curtains and prom/bridesmaid dresses often have lots of tulle that you can repurpose. And don’t forget all of the trash that you can upcycle....
My teenagers have so. Much. HAIR!!! Hair in a braid. Hair in a bun. Hair meticulously trimmed into curtain bangs, the trimmings left on the floor, of course. So much shampoo. So much conditioner. So much hair gel and hairspray. So much vacuuming, and then so much untangling of long, blonde hairs out of vacuum brushes. Hairbrushes and scrunchies in every Christmas stocking and Easter basket. Only one store, always inconveniently located, that sells the only correct make and model of hair ties and bobby pins....
