Book Review – Upcycling Crafts: Make Something Different And New From Old Items

I just finished reading “Upcycling Crafts: Make Something Different And New From Old Items” and I have to say, it’s a pretty cool book! If you’re like me and love giving old items a new lease on life, then this book is definitely for you.

What I liked most about the book is how it’s not just focused on upcycling, but it also gives you ideas for how to incorporate your new creations into a Halloween theme. As someone who loves Halloween and all its spooky festivities, I was excited to see how I could incorporate upcycling into my Halloween decor.

The book covers a variety of themes from different decades, starting from the 1920s all the way to the 1950s. Each theme is unique and has its own subthemes, costumes, invitations, and even food and drink suggestions. It’s like a one-stop-shop for Halloween planning!

One thing I appreciated about the book is how it takes a step-by-step approach to each theme, so you don’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of information it provides. The photos in the book are also a nice touch and help to bring the ideas to life.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend “Upcycling Crafts: Make Something Different And New From Old Items” to anyone who loves Halloween and wants to incorporate upcycling into their celebrations. It’s a fun read that’s full of creative ideas, and I can’t wait to try some of them out for myself!

Okay, this might be one of the coolest recycled craft ideas I’ve seen in a long time. If you’re into vintage typewriters and also love tinkering with tech, this USB Typewriter project is a brilliant mash-up of both worlds.

Basically, the idea is to take an old manual typewriter—you know, the clunky, charming kind with the click-clack keys—and turn it into a working USB keyboard. Yes, it actually connects to your laptop or tablet, and yes, it totally works. Talk about breathing new life into a piece of the past!

The project involves a special kit that includes a sensor board (to pick up your key presses), a USB interface board (to connect it all to your computer), and some reed switches (those help with the Shift, Space, and Return keys). There’s even a version of the kit that doesn’t require any soldering, so you don’t need to be an electronics wizard to pull it off.

I’d say this falls into that sweet spot of “advanced beginner” when it comes to skill level. If you’re comfortable using basic tools and following clear instructions, you could absolutely tackle this over a weekend. It’s a bit of a commitment, but honestly? The final result is SO worth it.

What I love most is how this blends sustainability with creativity—you’re upcycling a piece of history and turning it into something totally functional for modern life. Whether you use it for writing, coding, or just showing off at your local café, it’s a fun and eco-friendly DIY electronics project that’ll definitely turn heads.

If you’re passionate about recycled crafts or you’ve got an old typewriter gathering dust, this project might just be your next favorite weekend hobby. I’m already on the hunt for my next vintage find to transform! See the full tutorial here.

Have you read?