Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

From Empty Prescription Bottles to … ?

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Here are the details on the latest ReadyMade magazine MacGyer Challenge, due September 22. Show ’em your creativity!

MACGYVER CHALLENGE: PRESCRIPTION BOTTLES
Increasingly, stealing a peak into the average American’s medicine cabinet reveals a rainbow galaxy of brightly colored pills nestled in little orange bottles. You name it, we’re taking it, most likely three times a day, before meals. That’s a whole lot of little receptacles piling up, and we’re always on the lookout for unnecessarily disposable objects, especially plastic ones. So while we cannot provide a cure for your high blood pressure, restore your memory, or whisk away your excess cholesterol, we can provide some incentives for you to call upon such non-prescription substances as a little elbow grease and gray matter. Come up with your prescription for the re-use of pill bottles, and the most creative Rx will be featured in the pages of the magazine, winning you eternal glory and a ReadyMade T-shirt, if not a remedy for your acid reflux.

See the ReadyMade website to learn more about the challenge and to get a glimpse of the latest issue, named the Re-Fashion Issue.

Looking for more ways to refashion t-shirts? check out this amazing refashion book. 

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Andrew Whitehead: Turning Rust into Regional Icons

If you’ve ever driven through rural New South Wales and spotted a giant spider looming in a park or a metal shearer mid-snip, chances are you’ve encountered the work of Andrew Whitehead — a brilliant Australian sculptor who breathes new life into scrap metal.

Based in Urana, Andrew has made a name for himself (and his small town) by crafting large-scale public artworks entirely from recycled and salvaged materials. His sculptures aren’t just impressive in scale — they’re also full of meaning, storytelling, and community pride.

One of his most iconic pieces, affectionately titled “Not So Itsy”, is a larger-than-life spider that perches atop a webbed structure in Urana. It’s playful, a little eerie, and completely unforgettable. But like all of Andrew’s work, it goes deeper than just visual impact — it’s a nod to the town’s quirky character and creativity.

Another standout is “Shearing the Ram”, a powerful tribute to Australia’s rich wool industry and its historical importance in rural communities. Crafted from discarded farm equipment and rusted iron, the sculpture captures the essence of a timeless trade, now immortalized in steel.

What makes Andrew’s work so special is how he combines technical skill with heart. Each piece is carefully researched and often inspired by local legends, historic events, or the everyday life of the bush. And he doesn’t just install art — he builds landmarks that tell a story.

His commitment to using recycled materials is also worth applauding. In an age where fast consumerism often overshadows sustainability, Andrew’s sculptures stand as giant reminders (literally) of how beautiful and meaningful upcycling can be.

Whether it’s a metal Murray cod, a sheepdog mid-run, or a vintage tractor sculpture, Andrew Whitehead is proving that art doesn’t need a gallery — sometimes, the best place for a sculpture is by the roadside, where it can make people smile, reflect, and feel proud of where they’re from.

He’s not just an artist — he’s a storyteller, environmentalist, and quiet legend of the Aussie outback. Keep an eye out — his work has a way of popping up in the most unexpected (and unforgettable) places. Check out his facebook profile here.