Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Book Review: Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons from a Sewing Cafe

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Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons from a Sewing Cafe by
Martena Dusss and Sissi Holleis is a really fun and inspiring book. It most definitely has the “Paris” look. Which I totally loved as someone who craves other culture’s creative spirit! The style of the projects are mostly of the alternative hip style while the tutorials and how-tos are solid fundamentals. This also happens to be my favorite style of craft book, one that covers lots of different mediums, materials and projects from clothing to home decor, a totally buffet of fun. In addition to all that great project content you get fun stories and back ground about the designers which can be equally inspiring. Oh and if all that crafty goodness makes you hungry you can whip up one of the yummy recipes featured in Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons from a Sewing Cafe. My favorite thing to recycle currently are shoes and featured in  Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons from a Sewing Cafe is just such a topic. See what the book inspired me to do to an old pair of shoes over at the blog Sweater Surgery.

More about the book from the publisher Andrews McMeel Universal:

“Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons from a Sewing Cafe brings the namesake Paris Sweat Shop founded by Martena Duss and Sissi Holleis to North America with more than 50 DIY fashion and home projects, including instructions and more than 200 helpful, inspiring full-color photographs. The first “cafe couture” sewing shop in Paris, the Sweat Shop was named to highlight the questionable nature in which store-bought clothing is sometimes made. Instead of rewarding dubious labor practices, the Sweat Shop and The Sweat Shop Bookinspire crafters to make something unique with their own sweat equity and creativity.Crafters meet at the cafe and share ideas while renting equipment by the hour. In addition, classes teach novices how to sew, knit, crochet, and much more.

In March 2010, Martena Duss and Sissi Holleis opened the Sweat Shop, the first sewing cafe in Paris, near the trendy boutiques of Canal St. Martin. Duss is a Swiss makeup artist. Holleis is from Austria, where she had her own fashion store and label. In addition to carving a niche in Parisian society, the Sweat Shop has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle, the New York Times, Le Monde, the Guardian, and Marie Claire. “

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Eco-Craft Fun: 25+ Sustainable Activities to Teach Kids About Going Green

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Let’s talk about eco-crafts — the fun, hands-on way to teach kids about recycling, sustainability, and caring for our planet! Whether you’re prepping for Earth Day crafts at school or just looking for everyday ways to spark your child’s eco-conscious creativity, we’ve got over 25 sustainable craft ideas that will have your little recyclers rethinking trash and turning it into treasure.

And the best part? These crafts are packed with fun and facts, so your kids not only get to create something cool, but they’ll also learn why reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling really matters. ?

Why Teaching Kids About Going Green Matters 

Let’s face it: kids today are growing up in a world where climate change and plastic pollution are part of everyday conversations. But it doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom! Through eco-friendly crafting, kids can see and feel the impact of making small, sustainable choices.

A few facts that might surprise (and inspire) your kids:

  • One plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to break down. But guess what? That same bottle can become a bird feeder or a planter in just one afternoon!

  • Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours. Yep, that’s a movie night!

  • The average school-age child throws away 67 pounds of lunch packaging every year. Imagine turning that waste into a DIY pencil case or a robot sculpture instead!

What Makes a Craft “Eco-Friendly”? 

A sustainable or eco-friendly craft usually ticks a few boxes:

  •  Uses recycled or upcycled materials (think cardboard tubes, cereal boxes, old fabric)

  • Encourages reusability (like reusable snack bags or tote bags)

  •  Avoids single-use plastics or non-biodegradable glitter

  •  Teaches a lesson about nature, conservation, or environmental awareness

Even better? These crafts are perfect for Earth Day activities, rainy day projects, or classroom sustainability lessons.

 

25+ Eco-Craft Ideas Kids Will Love 

Here’s a roundup of creative, sustainable, and super fun crafts that are perfect for kids of all ages. Many of these double as educational STEM projects, too!

  1. Recycled Crayon Shapes – Melt down broken crayons into new fun molds.

  2. Toilet Roll Binoculars – Perfect for backyard birdwatching.

  3. Egg Carton Critters – Make bugs, frogs, or even mini garden planters!

  4. Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder – Help local wildlife while reducing waste.

  5. Old T-Shirt Tote Bag – No-sew reusable bags? Yes, please.

  6. DIY Paper Beads – Turn magazine scraps into jewelry.

  7. Cardboard  – STEM learning meets upcycling!

  8. Milk Carton Birdhouse – Add some color and hang it outside.

  9. Jar Lid Memory Game – Use mismatched lids and paint for a fun twist.

  10. Nature Collages – Combine fallen leaves and twigs with upcycled paper.

  11. Bottle Cap Magnets – Add art and function to the fridge!

  12. Tin Can Drums – Let’s make some noise with repurposed cans!

  13. Newspaper Seed Starters – Plant flowers or herbs for a garden they made themselves.

  14. Cereal Box Puzzle – Cut a drawing into puzzle pieces.

  15. Recycled Robot Sculptures – Bring junk drawer items to life!

  16. CD Fish Craft – Old CDs get new life as shiny fish decorations.

  17. Fabric Scraps Bunting – Leftover fabric turns into party decor.

  18. Cork Stamps – Customize your own stamps using wine corks.

  19. Bottle Cap Tic-Tac-Toe – A game and a lesson in repurposing.

  20. Nature Paintbrushes – Use twigs and leaves to create wild textures.

  21. Mason Jar Lanterns – Light up a room the eco way.

  22. Paper Towel Roll Rockets – Decorate and blast off with recyclables.

  23. Plastic Spoon Garden Markers – A fun way to label your veggie patch.

  24. Yogurt Cup Planters – Tiny cups, big green ideas.

  25. Recycled Puzzle Piece Art – Turn old puzzles into statement wall pieces.

  26. DIY Wrapping Paper – Reuse brown bags with painted prints.

 BONUS: Let your kids come up with their own inventions using only what they can rescue from the recycling bin. It’s the ultimate creativity challenge!

Making Eco-Crafts a Daily Habit

One Earth Day craft is awesome — but teaching kids to think green every day? That’s where the real magic happens. You can encourage ongoing eco-awareness by:

  • Setting up a crafty recycling bin just for materials they can transform.

  • Hosting a neighborhood recycled art show (with prizes!).

  • Starting a “trash to treasure” box for craft ideas all year long.

  • Teaching kids to donate unused supplies instead of tossing them.

Big Smiles from Little Recyclers 

Watching your child hold up their finished eco-craft — whether it’s a bottle rocket or a flower pot made from an old yogurt cup — is a moment of pride. Not just because they made something cute, but because they’re learning to care. 

And hey, even small hands can make a big difference when they start seeing the world through a green lens.

So get ready to grab those glue sticks, empty boxes, and bits of “trash” — and let’s turn them into eco-friendly treasures that’ll brighten your home and the planet!

 Don’t forget to pin this post and share it with your eco-minded friends. Let’s raise a new generation of little Earth heroes — one recycled craft at a time!