Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Come On Baby, Start My Fire – DIY Firestarters

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I stumbled across this brilliant little project the other day from one of my favorite upcycling bloggers, Sadie Seasongoods, and I had to share it. 

The firestarters Sadie makes are crafted from dryer lint, wax, and the cardboard bottoms of egg cartons. She even pretties them up with some dried herbs and flower petals, which honestly takes them from “I made this in my garage” to “Pinterest Queen Energy.” What I love most is how simple and budget-friendly they are. I mean, who doesn’t have dryer lint, an old candle stub, and a toilet roll lying around?

She walks you through the whole process with her usual clear instructions the end result looks more like a rustic gift item than something you’d toss into a fire pit. It’s the perfect kind of project for anyone who likes camping, cozy backyard firepits, or even just prepping for winter in a crafty way.

Other DIY Firestarter Ideas I’ve Tried (and Loved)

Feeling inspired by Sadie’s creativity, I thought I’d toss in a few of my own favorite DIY firestarter methods—because once you make one, you kinda want to try them all!

Pine Cones Dipped in Wax

This one’s a holiday fave. Gather some pine cones, melt some candle wax (crayons work too!), and dip them until they have a nice coating. You can even add a few drops of essential oils for a nice scent as they burn.

Cork Firestarters

Soak used wine corks in rubbing alcohol for about a week. Keep them in a tightly sealed jar and pull one out when needed. They light up like magic (just be safe—these burn hot and fast!).

Orange Peel Twists

Let orange peels dry and twist them into spirals. They’re flammable and naturally full of oils that help them catch easily. Plus, they smell amazing when burned!

Paper Muffin Liners + Wax + Sawdust

Pour melted wax into muffin liners filled with sawdust (or wood shavings, or even coffee grounds). Let them cool, and you’ve got sturdy little fire cakes ready to go.

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DIY Review: Handmade Wooden American Flag – Rustic, Patriotic, and Perfectly Imperfect

 

I don’t know about you, but there’s something extra special about décor that’s both meaningful and made by hand. That’s exactly what drew me to this gorgeous DIY wooden American flag from Reinvented Delaware. It’s rustic. It’s bold. It’s brimming with character. And the best part? It’s made using reclaimed wood, which gives it that perfect weathered look that screams vintage Americana.

This isn’t one of those quick, cookie-cutter craft projects. It’s the kind of DIY that feels like a labor of love—in the best possible way. Cindy walks you through the whole process with easy-to-follow steps, and I found myself nodding along, thinking, “Yes, I could totally make this.”

Using scrap wood from previous projects (we love a good upcycled decor idea, right?), she cuts, paints, and assembles each stripe with care. What really makes this piece shine is the attention to the little imperfections—the uneven brush strokes, the subtle distressing, the real wood grain showing through. It’s that handmade touch that gives it soul.

And let’s talk about those stars for a second. Instead of using a stencil or printed decals, she goes full-on old-school by hand painting them—flaws and all. It’s not about perfection here. It’s about capturing that raw, rugged beauty that makes patriotic farmhouse decor feel real and lived-in.

Once assembled, the flag makes a statement—whether it’s displayed on a porch, hung in a cozy entryway, or propped on a mantel. It’s bold, but not flashy. Americana, but not tacky. Just honest, beautiful handmade home decor with a patriotic twist.

Personally, I love that this project honors not just the flag, but the idea of reusing and recycling materials to create something new. It’s a subtle reminder that old things still have value and that a little creativity goes a long way.

So if you’ve got some extra lumber lying around (or you love haunting the scrap bin at your local hardware store like I do), this is the kind of weekend project that satisfies your creative itch and leaves you with something meaningful to display. Bonus points if you already have red, white, and blue paint in your stash.

Bottom line: this DIY is a winner. Whether you’re crafting for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or just love a good rustic statement piece, this DIY reclaimed wood flag is a project with heart.

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