Creative upcycle and downcycle ideas
OK, crafters: Let’s make sure the crafting world is represented in the “Go Green!” Contest presented by Instructables, Popular Science and TreeHugger.
An overview of the contest: “We want to know how you’re reducing your environmental footprint, and … Read More ...
Just when I thought there was nothing more striking than a brand-new box of crayons, in walks these recycled crayon beauties I found at starkeyfeather’s etsy shop. They’re made from melting down the leftover little nubs that are typically banished … Read More ...
Michelle from Recycled Rings takes old rings and turns them into things of beauty by adding colorful embroidered threads. She wraps each stone with several layers of thread and then further embellishes the piece with other fibers, beads or wire. … Read More ...
The Etsy shop Hooked on Purses features a sprinkling of upcycled materials, including an adorable toddler necktie skirt made from “pre-loved” multicolored silk neckties. As the description says, it’s “perfect for summer twirling,” and it’s also perfect for the little … Read More ...
Grab some inspiration at (or bring a well-funded checkbook to) [tag]SILHO Furniture[/tag] from [tag]mobile[/tag] artist Kevin Inkawhich, who uses [tag]eucalyptus[/tag], tulip petals, gaultheria leaves, pine cones and more to create abstract hanging mobiles. Shown is a detail of his Eucalyptus … Read More ...
Artist Debra Dresler, owner of Stroke of Art, is known for creating jewelry, cuff links and watches from recycled objects that reflect the personality of the wearer. Vintage typewriter keys, antique dominoes, used puppy dog tags, vintage tape measures … Read More ...
[tag]Cupcakes[/tag] are adorable, delectable and on-trend, but artist Michelle Stitzlein’s cupcakes will last well beyond the current popularity of this portable dessert.
A sculptor from Ohio, Michelle does some amazing stuff with used [tag]found objects[/tag] around the house and in … Read More ...
If you live in the Portland (Oregon) area, don’t miss the 5th annual Iron Artist Sculpt-Off — if not to participate then at least to observe recycled art in action. Here’s the lowdown:
The 5th Annual IRON ARTIST Sculpt-Off
Saturday, … Read More ...
I’m a sucker for clean design and good typography, so when I saw an advertisement on our very own site for [tag]MixtGoods[/tag], I immediately clicked to their site. And once I was there, I was drawn to every single … Read More ...
I’m lucky to live near a [tag]Ten Thousand Villages[/tag] store, where they sell beautiful, [tag]fair trade crafts[/tag] from artisans all over the world. While a good portion of us crafters take for granted the ample portion of craft supplies and … Read More ...
Yesterday I pointed you to a [tag]Craftster[/tag] tutorial on making [tag]Tyvek[/tag]-like fabric from used plastic shopping bags. Craftster once again makes the news today with another shopping bag-related craft in this month’s [tag]craft challenge[/tag]: [tag]Reusable Shopping Bag[/tag] Challenge. Leah, … Read More ...
Hop on over to [tag]Craftster[/tag] and take a look at jamiewatchthestars’ detailed tutorial of transforming plastic shopping bags into durable, sewable, waterproof fabric with tons of character. After fusing the bags with an iron, the “fabric” mimics [tag]Tyvek[/tag] (used in … Read More ...
Artist [tag]James McNulty[/tag] does some amazing things with the most under-appreciated part of fireworks: the packaging. He mixes and matches kitschy illustrations with Chinese characters with over-the-top names of fireworks to create colorful [tag]collage[/tag]s. If you live in the U.S., … Read More ...
Straight from the source, here’s a news release from the Clark County (Washington state) public relations office on this coming weekend’s Recycled Arts Festival:
Vancouver, WA – Live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and 50 vendors selling art using recycled items will … Read More ...
If you’re like me and love to decorate in aluminum, nickel, steel — in short, anything silver-colored — this industrial chic junk box flower (designed by photozz) made from used floppy disks, a dead hard drive and a floppy drive … Read More ...
