Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Book Review: Upcycle – Transform Everyday Objects into Stylish Sustainable Home Decor

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upcycled furniture

If you’re passionate about upcycled home decor, eco-friendly crafts, or simply love giving old items a new life, Upcycle: 24 Sustainable DIY Projects to Turn Everyday Objects into Home Decor   is a book that’s sure to spark your creativity.

This beautifully designed book is a treasure trove of clever ideas for turning the mundane into the magical. From old T-shirts and tin cans to wooden crates and glass bottles, Upcycle offers 24 hands-on projects that are equal parts stylish and sustainable. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just starting your upcycling journey, the instructions are clear, accessible, and often surprisingly simple.

What I love most is that each project doesn’t feel like a “craft”—it feels like decor you’d proudly display in any modern home. Think chic recycled storage solutions, creative lighting with a handmade twist, and even repurposed wall art that doesn’t scream DIY. The photography is gorgeous, making this book just as inspiring as it is instructional.

It’s a great resource for zero-waste living, creative reuse, and recycled crafts for the home—perfect for crafters who want to make a positive environmental impact without sacrificing style. Plus, most of the materials can be found right at home or sourced for free, making it a budget-friendly way to refresh your space.

If you’ve ever looked at an empty jar or an old ladder and thought, “What could I make with this?”—this book will give you the answers.

Upcycle is perfect for anyone looking to reduce waste while creating beautiful, functional items. It’s ideal for eco-conscious decorators, DIY enthusiasts, and creative souls who love a good before-and-after. If you’re on the hunt for inspiring sustainable crafting projects, this book is definitely worth a spot on your shelf (or coffee table!).

 

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Recycled Paper Cylinder Face Art – A Colorful Win for All Ages

I recently stumbled across this super creative project on Instructables – “Face With Recycled Paper Cylinders” – and I had to share it with you all because it’s just the kind of craft that checks all my favorite boxes: recycled materials, hands-on creativity, and fun for literally any age.

The idea is simple but genius—roll strips of recycled paper (think junk mail, old magazines, leftover printer paper) into cylinders, then arrange and glue them to form a unique abstract face. You can make it funky, realistic, Picasso-inspired—whatever your mood or style dictates!

What I really love is the blend of eco-conscious crafting with true artistic expression. This isn’t just another kids’ project—it’s something you could easily do with a group of little ones, a classroom full of teens, or even as an adult art therapy or weekend wind-down activity. It’s super relaxing and surprisingly satisfying seeing all those paper rolls come together to form something new and expressive.

The tutorial itself is easy to follow, with plenty of visuals to guide you along the way. You don’t need any fancy materials—just glue, paper, scissors, and a board or piece of cardboard to serve as your canvas.

I also appreciate how this project leaves so much room for personalization. Want to make it into a full face? Go for it. Prefer to focus on a single eye or mouth? Totally works. You can even play with color schemes by choosing papers with a certain palette, or painting over them once they’re rolled.

In short: this is a total keeper for anyone who loves crafting with purpose. It’s the kind of project that sparks creativity while gently reinforcing the idea that beautiful things can come from what we usually throw away.

Highly recommend giving it a go—solo or with a group. And if you try it, tag me or drop a pic—I’d love to see your recycled masterpiece!