Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure
What an interesting combination of elements! Generally speaking chain link fences aren’t considered pretty but add some knitting and plants and boy what change. This would be a fun idea to upcycle your swatches into plant pockets or in my case some recycled sweaters. Pop on over to the blog Urban Knitting for more photos and wonderful unexpected knitting (in Spanish).
Looking to buy some hand-dyed yarn? Check out these amazing colors on Etsy.
There is something wonderfully nostalgic about this Recycled Skittles Pouch project. It takes one of those bright candy wrappers that would normally be tossed in the bin and turns it into a useful little zipper pouch with personality, color, and plenty of upcycled charm.
This project is a fun example of recycled crafting because it does not try to hide the original material. The Skittles wrapper is the feature, and that is what makes the finished pouch so playful. The bold packaging gives the bag an instant pop of color, while the zipper and lining fabric turn it into something practical enough to use for small everyday items.
The tutorial uses iron-on vinyl to strengthen and protect the candy wrappers before sewing, which is a clever step because snack packaging on its own can be flimsy. Once the wrapper is covered, it can be treated more like fabric and stitched into a lined pouch using a zipper, lining fabric, thread, a sewing machine, a zipper foot, and an iron. The original project notes that Skittles and M&M wrappers were used, but you could easily experiment with other candy bags, snack packets, or colorful food packaging.
What I like most about this idea is how useful the finished pouch can be. It would make a fun pencil case, coin purse, travel pouch, library card holder, small toy bag, or back-to-school organizer. The tutorial even suggests filling it with little treasures like a toy car, library card, and small toys, which makes it especially appealing for kids.
This is also a great recycled craft for older kids, teens, and adults who are comfortable using a sewing machine. Younger children could help choose and clean the wrappers, match lining fabrics, or decide what the pouch will be used for, while an adult handles the ironing and sewing. It would be a fun project for a recycled craft challenge, school holiday activity, eco-themed workshop, or handmade gift idea.
Overall, this Recycled Skittles Pouch is a cheerful reminder that upcycling does not have to be plain or serious. It can be bright, practical, and full of humor. Save a few colorful wrappers, add a zipper and lining, and you have a quirky handmade pouch that turns trash into something useful.