Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

A fond farewell from one of my favorite things onto full time art world making

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I have had the pleasure of being the Recycled Editor at Craft Gossip for over 15 years. I can’t think of a better job than to immerse myself in a community of creatives that focus on sharing their eco-creations with others. I have learned so much and I hope all of you readers have as well. I want to thank the amazing team that has given me this opportunity and I wish them all the success in the world as they continue to produce great content here that educates and inspires creativity as I feel “making” is vital to heath and well being.

I will still be sharing my recycled creations that are primarily art on my personal social media – please feel free to follow me in Instagram @StefanieLGirard and on Facebook Stefanie Girard if you want to keep up with me 🙂

This is my latest art installation “Daily Practice, The Power of Creativity, (Zen and the Art of grenade making)” . This piece consisting of 365 1/4 porcelain grenades that took 5 years to make. It was given an award at the 2025 art show produced by The Fine Art Federation.

It is simply a magical thing to transform one thing into another in an unexpected way.

Thank you Craft Gossip!

Keep creating with recycled things everyone.

Happy Earth Day….every day 🙂

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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.