Creative upcycle and downcycle ideas
Forget the raking! Transform changing autumn leaves into sweet rosebuds by following this excellent pictorial step-by-step. Just be sure to snag the leaves while they’re still malleable instead of using them in their crunchy state.
[tags]leaves, autumn, fall, roses, rosebuds[/tags]… Read More ...
Dadcando.com is a site dedicated to fathers, especially single fathers and non-resident fathers who have contact with their children. The site includes lots of hands-on practical projects that dads can cook, make and do with their kids (although it’s not … Read More ...
If you find yourself “fixing” your leaky garden hose with duct tape, then maybe it’s time to consider making it into something pretty. I learned about this industrial chic multi-pronged bud vase by Dan Pearlman (of Objects of Desire) from … Read More ...
Burned out on bottle cap crafts? Then maybe you haven’t seen this: Kawaii Crafter of zakka life presents a unique take on bottle cap functional art in her understated but artsy bottle cap bowl, made from the colorless plastic … Read More ...
Micol (pronounced “Michael” and rhymes with “recycle” ) Day of recyclemicol offers a great tutorial on transforming greeting cards (or cardstock you have on hand) into pillow gift boxes that would make Martha proud. Be sure to check out her … Read More ...
By using coasters, coffee or water rings on your favorite magazine covers are a thing of the past — or are they? These adorable recycled coasters, complete with rope trim, are made entirely from used magazine pages. The San … Read More ...
Sorry if I seem to be on a totebag kick — there are just so many good ideas out there. This fine tote tutorial comes from the imagination of Tiffany of RePlayGround. Perhaps the best built-in feature of this … Read More ...
This has to be the most elegant recycled denim tote I’ve seen. Then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less from a project that appears on Martha’s website. Dimensional floral brooches take this project over the top. The same article … Read More ...
One can never have too many totes, especially when attempting to avoid using those evil plastic grocery bags. Craftbits member Tiffscraft shows us how she sewed up a simple little T-shirt handbag. What a great way to use up … Read More ...
Laptop sleeves abound, but do you really want to pay the high prices for such a small piece of material? I found this detailed laptop-sleeve tutorial linked from Craft magazine’s e-newsletter. Lined with sweatshirt material, creator Sam made the sleeve … Read More ...
What can you do with old floppy disks — I mean the REALLY old oversized, bendable floppies? Instructables contributor imanalchemist (yes, you read that right) shows us how he made a dashing tote bag from 18 old 5.25-inch floppies, canvas … Read More ...
Continuing with the theme of back to school, here’s a frugal — and green — idea for dorm room design: cardboard furniture. While you may not be able to craft Frank Gehry’s award-winning, high-design Wiggle Chair (retail $875, shown), I … Read More ...
Check out these microscopic Barbie purses crocheted from cassette tape at MyRecycledBags.com. (And don’t miss the recently posted matching Barbie halter dress and hat.) The creator, Cindy, generally crochets standard sized handbags, totes and other useful objects not … Read More ...
MAKE magazine (the older sibling of CRAFT magazine) offers a video podcast on creating a one-of-a-kind hardy hand-crafted ring from an old silver dollar.
Even I (who has zero background in jewelry making or silversmithing) feel as though I could … Read More ...
Paper craft extraordinaire Patricia from A Little Hut has created a series of recycled art projects on her blog, including this first in the series of six (so far). For this project, she simply cut junk mail into thin … Read More ...
