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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How To Make A Recycled Skittles Pouch

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about this Recycled Skittles Pouch project. It takes one of those bright candy wrappers that would normally be tossed in the bin and turns it into a useful little zipper pouch with personality, color, and plenty of upcycled charm.

This project is a fun example of recycled crafting because it does not try to hide the original material. The Skittles wrapper is the feature, and that is what makes the finished pouch so playful. The bold packaging gives the bag an instant pop of color, while the zipper and lining fabric turn it into something practical enough to use for small everyday items.

The tutorial uses iron-on vinyl to strengthen and protect the candy wrappers before sewing, which is a clever step because snack packaging on its own can be flimsy. Once the wrapper is covered, it can be treated more like fabric and stitched into a lined pouch using a zipper, lining fabric, thread, a sewing machine, a zipper foot, and an iron. The original project notes that Skittles and M&M wrappers were used, but you could easily experiment with other candy bags, snack packets, or colorful food packaging.

What I like most about this idea is how useful the finished pouch can be. It would make a fun pencil case, coin purse, travel pouch, library card holder, small toy bag, or back-to-school organizer. The tutorial even suggests filling it with little treasures like a toy car, library card, and small toys, which makes it especially appealing for kids.

This is also a great recycled craft for older kids, teens, and adults who are comfortable using a sewing machine. Younger children could help choose and clean the wrappers, match lining fabrics, or decide what the pouch will be used for, while an adult handles the ironing and sewing. It would be a fun project for a recycled craft challenge, school holiday activity, eco-themed workshop, or handmade gift idea.

Overall, this Recycled Skittles Pouch is a cheerful reminder that upcycling does not have to be plain or serious. It can be bright, practical, and full of humor. Save a few colorful wrappers, add a zipper and lining, and you have a quirky handmade pouch that turns trash into something useful.