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

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 🙂

You know that thrill when you find an old, rusty piece of junk and immediately see its potential? That’s exactly the vibe I got reading the tutorial from A Pretty Happy Home on turning a vintage milk can into a side table. It’s one of those simple yet satisfying projects that blends upcycled charm with real functionality—and adds a whole lot of character to your space.

First off, there’s just something magical about milk cans. They’ve got history. You just know they’ve lived on a dusty farm porch or sat beside a barn door through decades of seasons. In this project, that history gets to shine—literally—after a little elbow grease and creative thinking.

What I loved about this makeover is how unfussy it is. The milk can wasn’t scrubbed within an inch of its life or made to look overly polished. Instead, it got a respectful refresh: a little cleaning, a bit of clear coat to protect the patina, and a sturdy, round wood top to complete the transformation into a DIY farmhouse side table.

The wood top itself was made from leftover pieces—hello, recycled wood projects—which gives this whole DIY an extra eco-friendly touch. It’s a small win for the environment and a big win for anyone who appreciates budget-friendly home decor that doesn’t look cheap.

You don’t need fancy tools or a woodworking shop to pull this off. That’s the beauty of these repurposed furniture ideas—they’re accessible. And they let the vintage pieces speak for themselves. This one, in particular, looks just as good next to a cozy armchair as it would on a porch with a cup of tea and a warm breeze.

The final result? A rustic milk can side table that’s equal parts practical and nostalgic. It’s got that collected-over-time feel that you just can’t buy from a big box store. And as someone who loves giving old things new life, it absolutely inspired me to go digging through the nearest antique store (or maybe my parents’ shed) to see what I can rescue next.

If you’re looking for easy upcycled decor projects, or a way to add authentic farmhouse style without breaking the bank, this tutorial is a perfect weekend project. Honestly, this is the kind of piece that guests will ask about, and you’ll get to say, “Oh, that old thing? I made it.”

And you will say it with pride.

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