Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Book Review: Book Play and how to make a Scotch tape book

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book-play-how-to-make-booksIf you think a book needs to be two rectangle covers filled with pages in between Book Play: Creative Adventures in Handmade Books will open your eyes to all the unusual and fabulous ways you can create a “book”.  Not only is this book filled with interesting ways to “bind” pages there are fun ways to contain and display the books that are created in all sorts of fun shapes.  There are great directions that are easy to follow so you will have total success in your creative and unique book making.

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The first “book” I tried was the tape dispenser project. I decided to use pages from a dictionary and the words I chose were “party”,  “celebrate”, “holiday” and I used pink tinted tape.

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It was easy to gather up the tools and materials as all were items I had around (I love it when projects use the basics).

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I think I will try this technique when I wrap a gift and choose words that will be like a gift card sentiment like “Happy Birthday Friend” words from the dictionary.

More about the book from the publisher Lark Crafts:

Book Play: Creative Adventures in Handmade Books

by Margaret Couch Cogswell

“Make books as interesting as the stories you want to tell! In this inspiring guide, artist and teacher Margaret Couch Cogswell pushes the boundaries of bookmaking through twenty-two traditional and experimental projects. Start off with a beginner-friendly accordion fold book or a classic journal. Then open your mind with a rolling “story dispenser” or an innovative bird made from book pages! Along the way, learn how to fashion various bindings; construct forms with paper, fabric, and metal; and create decorative effects. Conversational instructions and artist features will inspire you to find your own creative voice.”

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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.