Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Art prints from collages using ElephantStock

by

I was so excited when ElephantStock offered me a complimentary printing of my work for review. This has been on my “to-do” list for awhile. They have so many options of sizes and shapes to choose from to make prints of your own work along with tons of images in their stock collection it was fun to scroll through and check them all out!

I decided to print 9 squares of my 12×12 collages. The process of uploading prints and fitting them to the canvas was super easy.

I took my photos with the HD setting on my iPhone hooked into a selfie stick on a light stand.

The stretched canvas prints arrived individually wrapped with care and looked awesome! I decided to also try hanging them in a row in my studio to see if they worked in another configuration. I like them both ways.

But wait! There’s still more! I decided that now that I had a set of lovely prints of my work I would try altering them with all sorts of  techniques.

I cut up recycled elements including vintage sewing patterns, postage stamps, paint samples with fun name colors, and die cut hearts made from penmanship paper. Along with the additional recycled paper ephemera elements I painted with all types of glitter and paint. Some favorites were Plaid’s Glitterific in pink and silver. The chunks of silver are huge and all different shapes. The ElephantStock canvas prints make a great surface to add touches of paint to.

Along with decoupage and glitter paint I stamped and embossed on the ElephantStock prints which worked great as the canvases make a great surface for this altering technique.

A bit more about ElephantStock Products:

Your photos are memories of beautiful moments. Print them on canvas to make those special moments last longer!

  • Our 100% premium canvas is made of the best materials, ensuring longer lifespan and durability.
  • Excellent canvas printing technology makes our products eye-catching and sturdy.
  • Protected with UV scratch-resistant and waterproof laminates.
  • Ready-to-hang canvas, supplied with hanging hardware – no additional hardware needed!

Related Posts:

Have you read?

How to Paint Melamine Furniture

Recently, we received an email from Jenny, one of our readers, asking for some advice on painting melamine furniture. Jenny was looking to refresh an old dresser but wasn’t sure about the right way to tackle the project. Well, we’ve got just the thing! After some digging, we came across a fantastic article on Spraypaint Blog titled How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture, which walks you through the process step-by-step.

Why This Article is Perfect for Jenny (and You!)

This guide is incredibly comprehensive, covering everything you need to know about painting melamine—an often tricky material to work with. Melamine is known for its smooth, glossy surface, which can be tough to paint without the right preparation. But with the tips from this article, you’ll learn how to properly prep your melamine pieces, choose the right paint, and achieve a professional-looking finish.

The article also dives into the importance of sanding and priming the surface to ensure that the paint adheres well. With these steps, Jenny (and anyone else trying this project) can be sure that their painted melamine furniture will not only look great but last for years to come.

Jenny, we hope this article gives you all the info you need to tackle your melamine furniture project! It’s clear from the tutorial that a little prep work goes a long way, and with the right products, even melamine can be transformed into a beautiful, personalized piece.

For anyone else curious about painting melamine, check out the full article on Spraypaint Blog for all the tips and techniques: How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture. Happy painting!

My Tips for Painting Melamine Furniture

Hey Jenny (and anyone else planning a melamine project), here are my top tips to help you get the best results when painting melamine furniture:

Prep is Key
Clean the surface well, then lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to give the primer something to grip onto. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

Prime Like a Pro
Don’t skip the primer! Use a bonding primer that’s made for glossy surfaces or melamine. It’ll make sure your paint sticks and lasts.

Pick the Right Paint
Go for a good enamel or acrylic paint. I use a foam roller for a smooth finish—no brushstrokes! Apply a few thin coats, letting each one dry in between.

Topcoat for Durability
Once the paint’s dry, apply a protective topcoat (polyurethane or polycrylic) to help it stay scratch-free.

Give It Time
Let the paint cure for at least 48 hours before using the furniture—longer is even better! It’ll help the finish hold up over time.

Get Creative
Don’t be afraid to try fun colors or finishes! Melamine is perfect for getting a bit adventurous.