Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Art Without Waste 500 Upcycled and Earth-Friendly Designs

by

Art Without Waste 500 Upcycled and Earth-Friendly Designs

If you read this blog than you will LOVE this new book Art Without Waste 500 Upcycled & Earth-Friendly Designs by Patty Wongpakdee!

This is one of those books that you pick up over and over again to get inspired and invigorate your creativity.

Every once in a while, I stumble across a book that completely recharges my creative energy—and Art Without Waste is exactly that. This isn’t your typical craft book with how-tos and templates. Nope, this one’s more like flipping through an art gallery curated entirely from stuff that would’ve ended up in a landfill.

From the first page, I was captivated. The book features 500 pieces of upcycled and eco-conscious art, and honestly, it’s like a love letter to sustainable creativity. I found myself going, “Wait, THAT was made from what?!” more times than I can count. We’re talking everything from intricate sculptures made from scrap metal to fashion pieces created with plastic bags and bottle caps. And the best part? Every single creation is proof that waste doesn’t have to be wasted.

It’s not a project-based book in the traditional sense—there aren’t step-by-step instructions—but it’s packed with inspiration. As someone who lives and breathes upcycling, I appreciated how it highlights global artists who are turning discarded materials into thoughtful, beautiful design. It gave me ideas I never would have thought of on my own, and honestly? It gave me that little extra push to dig deeper into the materials I already have sitting around.

What I also love is that it’s not preachy. It doesn’t scold you about sustainability—it simply shows what’s possible when you think differently about materials. It’s motivating in the best way.

If you’re a maker, crafter, or even just someone who appreciates clever design and wants to feel good about your impact, this book is a treasure. I’ve flipped through it a dozen times now, and I still find something new and inspiring every single time.

This one’s definitely earned a permanent spot on my recycled crafting bookshelf. Trust me—you’ll walk away with your head spinning full of upcycled possibilities.

Related Posts:

Comments

  2. I would love to win this! I make a lot of recycled art and am always looking for new ideas and inspiration!

  6. I love crafting with found (recycled) items. I live in a nursing home on a very low fixed income so I need to find crafts that are very inexpensive but look like you bought them in a high end shop! I would love to win the book to share with the activities dept, here for use in their craft class

  13. Finally….the perfect book for the perfect artist…love to watch people look at our recycle things and figure them out

  15. I am always looking for creative ideas using recycled items. This would be wonderful to have.

  18. Gosh I love to recycle and find it fascinating to see what folks do with items we just throw away. We are such a wasteful society in so many ways.
    Im guessing my entry will ne ineligeable as so many giveaways on here are, since Im Uk : (
    But Ive followed Craft Gossip for years and learnt so much along the way, its always a great digest of information that comes through!

  19. My family & friends are constantly asking me if “I throw this away?” Absolutely not. There is always something to make from our recyclables. I would use this book daily.

  23. I saw a fabulous cork chair at a winery in NapaValley similar to the one on the cover…and I have been thinking about it ever since and wondering how to put it together. This book would give me that and lots more.. Thank you for the opportunity to win it. I hope I do!

  25. I save “stuff” to re-use and am always looking for new ideas. Thanks for the chance to win!

  28. I am finally retiring and have been wanting to give new life to old items for years both for fun and now for a little extra income. What a great offer!

  30. I neeeeed this book! The cover projects alone have me itching to get started creating. What a wonderful giveaway!

  33. i love to create by recycling it means so much more and its fun to find things that others would throw away.

  38. I, too, absolutely love crafting w/ what someone else would see no potential in – my fave kind of crafting, by far. When I’m upcycling I am so in my element. And WOW!…500 ideas in 1 book!! That’s not shab at all! Like other entrants, my family also asks me, “You want this (whatever) for something?” Thanks for the fantastic giveaway & God bless! 🙂

  39. I am always looking for ways to upcycle or reuse anything that would otherwise go in the trash- and always looking for new ideas. Its a happy time when i see a new idea or project and think, “hey, i never thought of that, what a great idea!”
    So im really looking forward to this book!

  41. Sounds like an awesome and inspiring book.

    Thanks for a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

  44. I love this! I always have bits and scraps that I hate to throw away and wish I could find a use for. I think this book is awesome.

  47. I would love to see what is inside this book. Right now I am recycling water bottles into dog toys.

  48. I just found this site and I LOVE IT!!!! I would also love to have the book. I am a huge recycle user for my crafts.

  49. I’m always looking for a way to reuse lost and forgotten items. Would love to have a copy of this book.

Have you read?

IWAS Upcycled Drinking Glasses

These upcycled drinking glasses are such a fun and meaningful addition to my kitchen! I originally bought them because I’m trying to make more eco-conscious choices, but they’ve turned out to be so much more than just “sustainable.” They’re genuinely beautiful—each one is slightly different, which just adds to their charm. You can really tell they’ve been made from repurposed bottles (in the best way), and that story makes them a great conversation piece when guests are over.

They’re surprisingly sturdy too—not flimsy or thin like I half-expected. I’ve been using them daily for everything from iced coffee to juice, and they wash up really well without clouding or scratching.

Honestly, it feels good to drink from something that’s not only stylish but also has a positive impact. If you’re looking for a gift with meaning or just want to treat yourself while treading a little lighter on the planet, these are a win. They also have a frosted version too.

How to melt recycled glass bottles in a microwave to make jewelry

How to make recycled glass bottle photo frames

How to make a recycled wine bottle dispenser