Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Etsy Shop Love

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With so many Etsy shops out there selling top notch goods, it can be overwhelming trying to find items that use recycled and upcycled materials. I thought today I’d feature a few for those of you who are still newish to the Etsy scene.

Essential Paper

I’m always on the lookout for shops that use upcycled or recycled goods in their items, so I was pleasantly surprised to find Essential Paper. A newer Etsy shop, EP sells cards and notebooks made using upcycled books and magazines. A few of my favorites include her break dancing card and her Han Solo notebook.

Bee Fancee

Bee Fancee is another newer shop to Etsy, and features some great handmade items. Of note are the laptop covers, which are made from recycled (and sometimes felted!) sweaters. Each one is unique, and from what I can tell made incredibly well. The shop also features some tremendous handbags, but I’m not sure those are made from recycled goods!

S.A.M.’s Creations

Also on my shortlist is SAM’s Creations. Featuring handbags and clutches, her items are made using as many recycled materials as she can muster. One of my favorites is this clutch made from seatbelts!

What other great Etsy shops do you know that use recycled and upcycled materials?

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Comments

  1. I love hunting down Etsy shops that recycle. A few of my favorites are Cotton Bird Designs (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5139538) for sweet sculptures made out of recycled paper and fabric, Ruby and Olive (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5364867) for cute upcycled clothes and bags, Banana Batch (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=37522) for fantastic recreated jewelry boxes, and Blythe King (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5196335) for all sorts of handy notebook/iPod/laptop/etc cases.

  3. I try to include upscaled and recycled items, check out my use of an old felted afghan, ponchos for a girl and her doll!

  4. I just found the wonderful write up you did about my laptop cozy and my site! Thank you for the positive feedback, I appreciate that. And yes, I do have recycled bags as well, and I even have gift bags (for wine, champagne, etc) which are also made from a sweater. Actually, from one sweater I created to purses (which have sold already) and a wine bottle gift bag, I have on sleeve to go, hmmmm, what will that be? Thanks again for finding me! Kelli – http://www.beefancee.etsy.com

Have you read?

How To Make A Milk Carton Village – A Recycled Craft for Kids

Ready to turn your recycling bin into a colorful, miniature village? Grab those empty milk cartons and let’s create a town filled with tiny houses, shops, and even a school or bakery! This craft is perfect for kids of all ages and encourages imagination, storytelling, and eco-friendly creativity.

 What You’ll Need:

  • Empty milk or juice cartons (washed and dried)

  • Paints or markers

  • Paintbrushes

  • Craft glue or glue stick

  • Scissors (adult supervision recommended)

  • Colored paper or old magazines

  • Bottle caps, buttons, or plastic lids (for windows or decorations)

  • Sticks, straws, or skewers (for flag poles or chimneys)

  • Optional: glitter, stickers, washi tape, cotton balls (for snow or clouds!)

 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Clean and Prep the Cartons
Make sure your milk or juice cartons are washed and completely dry. Remove any plastic lids or caps and keep them for decorations!

Step 2: Plan Your Village
Decide how many buildings you want to make. Each milk carton becomes a house, shop, or whatever your imagination dreams up. Arrange them side by side or in a circle like a real village square.

Step 3: Cut Out Doors and Windows
With the help of an adult, carefully cut small door and window shapes into your cartons. You can also glue cut-out shapes from colored paper if you’d rather not cut into the carton.

Step 4: Paint and Decorate
Use paint or markers to bring your buildings to life. Make brick patterns, colorful siding, or roof tiles. Let each child choose their own theme – rainbow bakery, monster house, fairy home, or tiny fire station!

Step 5: Add the Roofs
You can paint the top pointy part of the carton like a roof, or glue on cardboard triangles to create overhangs. Want to add a chimney? Glue a straw or cardboard roll on top!

Step 6: Make Flags and Signs
Cut small flags from recycled plastic or paper and tape them to straws or sticks. Glue your flags to the rooftops. You can even create tiny signs for each building – “Toy Store,” “Library,” or “Super Cat’s House.”

Step 7: Build Your Village
Place all the finished buildings together on a large piece of cardboard, tray, or table. Use bottle caps for stepping stones, cotton balls for bushes or clouds, and draw roads with marker.

Step 8: Play!
Now that your village is built, use little toys, action figures, or LEGO people to live in your new town. Create stories and adventures—your Milk Carton Village is officially open!

 Learning Bonus:

This craft is not just fun—it also teaches recycling, fine motor skills, creative thinking, and storytelling. Plus, it’s a great group activity for playdates, classrooms, or family craft nights.

Let your kids’ imaginations run wild—and remember, no two villages need to look the same. Each one tells its own story!