Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

How to upcycle a paper shopping back with chalkboard paint

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IMG_1052It never ceases to amaze me what crafty peeps come up with to cover with chalkboard paint. Over at the blog Muslin and Merlot there is a fun tutorial on how to paint paper shopping bags with chalkboard paint to give them a new and crafty look perfect for sharing a bit of art or a good quote.

Why should you make your own shopping bags or totes?  Plastic bags are from the same source as all plastic: crude oil. So what is wrong with crude oil? The manufacturing process emits considerable amounts of pollution, and the product is not biodegradable. On land, plastic bags are one of the most common types of litter worldwide. As plastic bags are lightweight and float easily, this means they can travel long distances when picked up by the wind this includes landing in the ocean. Then wildlife gets tangled or ingests the bags, both in the sea and on land.  Make a difference and make your own shopping grocery bags.  Have plastic bags you need to re-use? Consider making these DIY upcycled plastic bag crafts.

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Comments

  1. I confess that some of the recycling/upcycling posts leave me cold–this one, though? a GREAT idea!

    Even someone who rarely shops has tons of these bags stashed somewhere. What a great way to give them a second life!

    Thank you for sharing the post.

Have you read?

35 Rolled Magazine Crafts -You’ll Never Throw Away a Magazine Again

rolled magazine crafts title

You know that one drawer? The one stuffed with old magazines you swore you’d read again someday? Yeah, I had one too. Mine was a jumbled pile of home décor issues, a few random cooking magazines, and—don’t judge—some celebrity gossip ones from 2011 (I was emotionally invested, okay?). But here’s the thing… instead of tossing them all into the recycling bin, I discovered a whole new world of DIY that completely changed the way I looked at those glossy pages.

Rolled magazine crafts are the ultimate combo of relaxing, colorful, and oh-so-satisfying. It’s the kind of project that starts with “I’ll just roll a few pages” and ends with you surrounded by a vase, a bowl, three coasters, and plans to make a full-blown wall installation. There’s something magical about taking something destined for the trash and turning it into something genuinely beautiful. It’s like giving your old mags a second life—and honestly, they deserve it.

The best part? These projects are super versatile. You can go small with beads or bobby pins, or go big with wall art, wreaths, or even furniture pieces. (Yes, furniture! There’s a magazine stool in this roundup that blew my mind.) And don’t even get me started on the gift potential—handmade goodies like these make thoughtful, one-of-a-kind presents without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just looking for a mindful weekend project, there’s something incredibly rewarding about rolling paper into art. You’ll be amazed at how meditative the process is, and how quickly you’ll start eyeing every glossy page as potential craft material.

Recycled Magazine Mirror – Home and Garden

Great idea for making a recycled magazine modern vase

Etsy Feature – wall art- made from recycled magazines

Tea Set Made from Rolled Magazines

Making a Magazine Stool – Green Issues by Agy

Recycled Paper Beads — CraftBits.com

Paper Bead Bobby Pin — CraftBits.com

How to Make Magazine Rolls

Magazine Bowls

Face With Recycled Paper Cylinders : 7 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

Making a Box with Magazine Rolls

Magazine Craft Step By Step: Reuse And Make Art! – Smiling Colors

Recycled Magazine Pages Bowl : 6 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

New art from old rolled up magazine pages-easy and colorful! : r/crafts

Magnificent Magazine Paper Beaded Bracelet : 10 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

Magazine Vase and Pencil Holder : 3 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

Upcycled Rolled Paper Frame DIY Craft!

Rolled Paper

Paper Bead Bracelet

Rolled Paper Candle Holder : 4 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

DIY Crafted Paper Basket: Made From Waste

Rolled Magazine Leaves

Waste Paper Baskets From Real Waste Paper/

West Elm Coiled Paper Ornament Knock Off

Tutorial: Coiled Magazine Paper Bowls – Frugal Upstate

Rolled paper Christmas Tree Ornament – Her Tool Belt

How to Recycle Magazines into Jewelry Beads

Recycled Magazine Bowl – DIY Inspired

Recycled Magazine Page Nesting Bowls! – creative jewish mom

DIY: Recycled Magazine Bowl

Upcycled Magazine Art – Oh My Creative

Rolled Magazine Wall Art | walnuthollowcrafts

Cool DIY Clock Of Rolled Up Magazine Sheets – Shelterness

DIY – Recycled Magazine Wreath

So if you’ve been looking for an excuse to clean out that drawer, this is it. Not only are you decluttering, but you’re also creating stunning pieces that spark conversation and bring a pop of personality to any room. It’s a total win-win.

Personally, I’ve turned some of my oldest, most faded magazine pages into colorful bowls and ornaments—and every time I walk past them, I smile knowing they were rescued from the recycling bin. Crafting with rolled magazines isn’t just fun; it’s a little reminder that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places (even between old perfume ads and articles on how to organize your pantry).

So go ahead—grab those scissors, pour a cup of tea (or a cheeky glass of wine), and start rolling. And hey, if you make something amazing, I’d love to see it! Tag me on social or drop a comment below so we can all ooh and ahh together. Happy crafting, and remember: no magazine left behind.