Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Book Review- Playing with Books: Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book By Jason Thompson

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Playing with books

Playing with Books:

Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book

By Jason Thompson

I was so “torn” when I first read this book, I couldn’t decide whether savor each page slowly and absorb all the details or keep furiously flipping each page to see more! But that is the great thing about a book, it is always there and you can pick it up anywhere and look at it for as quick or as long as you want. This book is also a great combo of fully stepped out projects and an amazing gallery at the end with wild and creative “extreme” book art and sculpture that is sure to inspire you!

Want to see an inside peek at one of the stepped out projects from the book? Pop on over to this post and you will also see the version I made using recycled book pages and a fringing tool.

From publisher, Quarry Books:

“In these pages, Jason Thompson has curated an extensive and artistic range of both achievable upcycled crafts made from books and book pages and an amazing gallery that contains thought-provoking and beautiful works that transform books into art.

The content encompasses a wide range of techniques and step-by-step projects that deconstruct and rebuild books and their parts into unique, upcycled objects. The book combines in equal measure bookbinding, woodworking, paper crafting, origami, and textile and decorative arts techniques, along with a healthy dose of experimentation and fun.The beautiful high-end presentation and stunning photography make this book a delightful, must-have volume for any book-loving artist or art-loving book collector.

Jason Thompson is the founder and president of Rag & Bone Bindery, and author of Making Journals By Hand (Rockport Publishing 2001). He is highly regarded as a book designer with integrity who creates unique handbound books and other fine bindings, as well as a popular blogger who writes about bookbinding, book arts, artist books, and paper craft.

[tags]Playing with Books by Jason Thompsaon[/tags]

Love working with recycled items? Check out this amazing recycled Crafts book.

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Handmade with a Past: Tuesday’s Top Recycled Etsy Find

Art can speak volumes, but it doesn’t have to cost the earth—literally. This recycled artwork, framed and ready to hang, is a perfect example of how beauty can emerge from the unexpected. It’s made from upcycled materials, bringing new life to discarded objects in the most artistic way possible.

This piece has that effortlessly cool, modern feel that I just adore. It reminds me of the kind of art I used to make as a kid—finding bits and bobs around the house and combining them into something that just worked. Only now, this work is polished, framed, and ready to elevate your home decor. It’s sustainable art with a story to tell.

What’s really great about this kind of art is that it adds character, depth, and meaning to a space. It’s not just a pretty picture; it’s a reminder that beauty can come from reuse and recycling, and it’s a nod to those of us who want to surround ourselves with eco-friendly treasures.

Why we love it:

  • Made from recycled materials

  • Each piece is completely unique and crafted with care

  • A conversation starter for your sustainable home decor or eco-conscious gallery wall

If you’ve been looking to add a touch of meaningful, eco-friendly style to your walls, this recycled artwork is definitely the way to go.