Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

9 Handmade Ornaments Made From Recycled Items

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The holiday season is just around the corner and what better way to get in the spirit than by creating handmade ornaments for your Christmas tree? Not only are they a fun and festive addition to your décor, but they’re also a great way to repurpose items that might have otherwise been thrown away. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of 9 DIY ornaments that are made from recycled materials.

If you’re a fan of the handmade/homemade look, then you’ll love these ornaments. Each one is easy to make and requires only a few materials that you probably already have lying around your home. From old sheet music to wine corks, these ornaments showcase the endless possibilities for creating beautiful decorations with items that might have otherwise been discarded.

By using recycled materials, you can also feel good about reducing waste and creating something beautiful from what might have been considered trash. Not only do these ornaments look great on your own tree, but they also make for great handmade gifts that your friends and family will love.

So take a look through our list and choose your favorite ornament to make. From whimsical paper stars to rustic twig reindeer, there’s sure to be an ornament that will fit your style and add that special touch to your holiday decorating. And if you enjoy working with recycled materials, then you’ll be sure to find plenty of inspiration for future projects.

Check out this amazing recycled Crafts book. Love using natural materials found in nature? Check out these books on Crafting with nature. 

poptabs

1- Pop Tab Ornament from The 3 R’s Blog

rhinestone

2- Simple Rhinestone Ornament from Mod Podge Rocks

bows

3- Soda Can Bows from DIY Maven

CD

4- Glittered CD Ornaments from Happy Hooligans

cork

5- Cork Balls from Unleashing My Creativity

icicle

6- Icicle Ornaments From Plastic Bottles from Cut Out And Keep

puzzle

7- Puzzle Piece Snowflakes from Red Ted Art

honeycomb

8- Honeycomb Ornaments from House Revivals

lightbulbsnowman

9- Light Bulb Snowman from Chipper’s Blog

 

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Have you read?

Time Flies — And Sometimes It Has Wings Made of Vintage Paper and Buttons

Have you ever been to the cuckoo clock shop at Tamborine Mountain? It’s like stepping into another world — a charming, ticking wonderland filled with thousands (yes, literally thousands) of clocks. Some are grand and ornate, others tiny and tucked away like secrets waiting to be discovered. I remember walking through the shop with my kids, completely enchanted by the whirring gears, dancing figurines, and the joyful chorus of chimes. It was one of those places where time feels like it both stops and flies.

That same feeling came flooding back when I stumbled across this adorable craft project from Teawagon Tales called Time Flies. In true vintage style, it’s a whimsical little DIY that combines scraps of fabric, old paper, buttons, and clock faces into sweet butterfly-like creations — a beautiful mashup of memory, imagination, and just plain cuteness.

It reminded me that crafting is a little like walking through that clock shop. Each piece holds a story, a tick of nostalgia, and the joy of noticing small details. You don’t need much — just some leftover fabric, maybe an old book page or two, and a few bits from your button tin. And suddenly you’re creating something that feels like it fluttered out of a fairytale.

So if you’ve got a stash of pretty paper or vintage bits and bobs you’ve been saving for “something special,” this might be the perfect project to give them new life.

Take a look at the full tutorial and soak up some serious inspiration:
Time Flies – Teawagon Tales

And if you ever find yourself near Tamborine Mountain, do yourself a favour — pop into that cuckoo clock shop. It’s pure magic for anyone who knows that time isn’t just measured in minutes, but in memories.