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?

Making Popsicle Stick Playing Cards – Surprisingly Fun and Totally Charming!

Okay, I’ll be honest — when I first saw the Popsicle Stick Playing Cards project floating around on Instructables, I wasn’t entirely sold. Popsicle sticks and playing cards? Sounds like a summer camp throwback, right? But curiosity got the best of me (as it usually does with anything slightly crafty and slightly quirky), and I decided to give it a whirl.

And let me just say: I loved this project way more than I expected to.

At its core, this DIY is super simple. You’re basically fusing old playing cards with humble craft sticks to create chunky, tactile “cards” that are durable enough for little hands — or just to enjoy as a cool novelty set. The end result? A full deck that feels a little bit rustic, a little bit retro, and totally unique.

What I really appreciated about this project was how accessible it was. You don’t need anything fancy to get started — just some basic glue, scissors, popsicle sticks (standard size worked fine for me), and of course, a deck of cards that’s either past its prime or missing a few members. We all have one of those lying around somewhere, right?

I ended up using an old UNO deck that was looking pretty rough around the edges, and it turned out great. The cards stick well to the wood, and once everything’s dry, you get these sturdy, chunky pieces that have such a fun hand-feel. It almost reminds me of vintage tile games or big wooden dominoes.

This would be such a great project for kids — whether it’s as a rainy-day craft, a classroom activity, or even as part of a DIY learning game (think memory matching or number recognition). I can see this also being a hit with older adults or people who need cards with a little more grip or visual clarity.

Plus, if you’re a DIY gift-giver like I am, imagine pairing these with a handmade fabric pouch or wooden box for a personalized twist. It would make a really thoughtful and low-cost present for a game lover or nostalgic friend.

Now, one tiny tip: make sure to let everything dry completely before stacking or using them. I rushed a bit on my first batch and ended up with a few cards stuck together. A bit of sanding or sealing would probably help prevent that too, especially if you want them to last.

Overall, this craft hit all the right notes — easy, upcycled, fun, and surprisingly satisfying to hold in your hands when they’re done. It’s a fantastic way to breathe new life into something old, and I honestly can’t wait to make a few themed sets as gifts.

So if you’re on the fence, give it a try. It’s playful, it’s practical, and hey, it might just be your new favorite weekend project.