Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Decorate a pumpkin with sequins and buttons

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There probably isn’t anything that can’t be upcycled and embellished with sequins and buttons.

Buttons Galore and More has a great selection of sequins and buttons that can be used on everything to add a bit of bling.

Since I was starting with a blank wood pumpkin I painted it first with a lovely selection of Folk Art metallic paints in oranges, reds, and golds.

After the paint was dry I spread a layer clear gloss medium onto the pumpkin and sprinkled the tiny orange sequins from Buttons Galore in a random pattern. I used a tooth pick to flatten them down.

I did the same thing with the wooden leaf using a combination of Buttons Galore standard size light green sequins and tiny dark green sequins.

For another element I die cut another leaf out of scrapbook paper and wired the two leaves together along with a variety of orange and yellow buttons in several sizes.

I coiled the ends of the wire and added a bead to each end.

Love using natural materials found in nature? Check out these books on Crafting with nature. 

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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!