Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Rubber stamped and embossed word rocks collage

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stefanie girard crafter's companion word rocks Have you found any word rocks in your neighborhood? Have you created any and left them about? Well, I have had the pleasure of finding one in my yard and I thought I’d try rubber stamping and embossing some rocks for both a shadow box rock collage and then make a bunch to leave around in my neighborhood.

My favorite phrase to put on a rock is, you guessed it, “YOU ROCK!” and there is that phrase included in the Spectrum Noir Colorista Aqua set.

The rocks are from my last trip to the beach.

The Crafter’s Companion Rock-a-blocks are great for stamping on uneven surfaces.

I used white embossing powder to create the phrase, flowers and butterfly on the rocks.

The shadow box was from the dollar store and I slipped a piece of Glitter green cardsock behind the rocks.

Love using natural materials found in nature? Check out these books on Crafting with nature. 

 

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Comments

  1. Great idea! Now I need to go get some rocks. It would be fun to give “You Rock!” rocks to my students. And I subscribed to this blog. Thanks!

Have you read?

I Found a Table Made from Mannequin Legs—and I’m Still Not Over It

 

manequin table recycled

Okay, I have to tell you about one of the most bizarre-yet-brilliant DIYs I’ve come across in a while. While scrolling through google (as one does when deep into a late-night upcycling rabbit hole), I stumbled on a video tutorial for a table made out of mannequin legs. And honestly? I couldn’t look away.

This project is peak creative chaos—in the best way. The concept is exactly what it sounds like: four mannequin legs, flipped and fixed in place, supporting a standard tabletop. It’s got this quirky, surreal vibe that makes it feel part high fashion, part modern art installation. Think: Tim Burton meets IKEA.

What I loved most about this video is how surprisingly accessible it is. The creator breaks the process down clearly—so even though the end result looks totally wild, the steps are manageable. You’ll need a few tools and a decent amount of glue or screws (depending on how permanent you want this table to be), but nothing too technical.

Design-wise, this piece is an absolute conversation starter. It would look amazing in a creative studio, a funky coffee shop, or even as a statement piece in a minimalist home—anywhere you want to break the “normal furniture” mold. The contrast between the realistic mannequin legs and a basic tabletop is just the right kind of weird.

If you’re into recycled home decor, eco-conscious DIY projects, or just love adding some unexpected personality to your space, this one’s worth bookmarking. Whether or not you ever make it yourself, it’s guaranteed to make you see mannequins—and furniture—in a whole new way.

Catch the full tutorial and see the visual magic for yourself on Recyclart. Just be prepared to say, “Wait, is that a leg?” every time someone visits your house.