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 Paint Melamine Furniture

Recently, we received an email from Jenny, one of our readers, asking for some advice on painting melamine furniture. Jenny was looking to refresh an old dresser but wasn’t sure about the right way to tackle the project. Well, we’ve got just the thing! After some digging, we came across a fantastic article on Spraypaint Blog titled How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture, which walks you through the process step-by-step.

Why This Article is Perfect for Jenny (and You!)

This guide is incredibly comprehensive, covering everything you need to know about painting melamine—an often tricky material to work with. Melamine is known for its smooth, glossy surface, which can be tough to paint without the right preparation. But with the tips from this article, you’ll learn how to properly prep your melamine pieces, choose the right paint, and achieve a professional-looking finish.

The article also dives into the importance of sanding and priming the surface to ensure that the paint adheres well. With these steps, Jenny (and anyone else trying this project) can be sure that their painted melamine furniture will not only look great but last for years to come.

Jenny, we hope this article gives you all the info you need to tackle your melamine furniture project! It’s clear from the tutorial that a little prep work goes a long way, and with the right products, even melamine can be transformed into a beautiful, personalized piece.

For anyone else curious about painting melamine, check out the full article on Spraypaint Blog for all the tips and techniques: How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture. Happy painting!

My Tips for Painting Melamine Furniture

Hey Jenny (and anyone else planning a melamine project), here are my top tips to help you get the best results when painting melamine furniture:

Prep is Key
Clean the surface well, then lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to give the primer something to grip onto. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

Prime Like a Pro
Don’t skip the primer! Use a bonding primer that’s made for glossy surfaces or melamine. It’ll make sure your paint sticks and lasts.

Pick the Right Paint
Go for a good enamel or acrylic paint. I use a foam roller for a smooth finish—no brushstrokes! Apply a few thin coats, letting each one dry in between.

Topcoat for Durability
Once the paint’s dry, apply a protective topcoat (polyurethane or polycrylic) to help it stay scratch-free.

Give It Time
Let the paint cure for at least 48 hours before using the furniture—longer is even better! It’ll help the finish hold up over time.

Get Creative
Don’t be afraid to try fun colors or finishes! Melamine is perfect for getting a bit adventurous.