I’m in love with these handcrafted arm warmers, “Armies,” by Gaye Abandon. Made from recycled sweaters, the entire line of Armies gives wearers the mobility they need in their hands without the more-often-than-not ragged look found in fingerless gloves. Plus, … Read More ...
A New Kind of Bottle Cap Craft
Burned out on bottle cap crafts? Then maybe you haven’t seen this: Kawaii Crafter of zakka life presents a unique take on bottle cap functional art in her understated but artsy bottle cap bowl, made from the colorless plastic … Read More ...
MacGyver Runners-Up
I hope ReadyMade magazine continues to show the MacGyver contest runners-up on its website, because there are lots of great ideas that unfortunately didn’t quite make the cut to be used in publication. For example, runner-up Brie Neel of Sophia, … Read More ...
Mash-Up Contest
The Instructables / ReadyMade magazine Mash-Up Contest is a recycled artist’s dream. The idea is to take two unseemingly related objects and “mash” them into one “I never thought of doing that!” end result. The Instructables site even lists a … Read More ...
Vinyl Record Rings
Laura Beamer‘s bottle cap jewelry featured in yesterday’s post, Bottle Cap Beauties, briefly mentioned her stunning vinyl record work, but I think they deserve a post of their very own. Shown are her popular and stunning vinyl rings, … Read More ...
Bottle Cap Beauties
Laura Beamer transforms used bottle caps into top-of-the-line bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pendants and rings. She’s a collector of bottle caps, which explains the out-of-the-ordinary ones you’ll find in her jewelry.
On her collecting habit she writes, “Family, friends and acquaintances … Read More ...
What the heck?
Are you the type of person who likes to save everything “just in case”? Or do you find yourself buying interesting doodads at a second-hand shop or garage sale that you know will work swimmingly in a project, although at … Read More ...
Maker Faire Swap-O-Rama-Rama
The renowned Maker Faire Oct. 20-21 in Austin is offering plenty of crafty and geeky demos along with hands-on make-it-take-projects. What may be a highlight for those interested in recycled goods is the free Swap-O-Rama-Rama. The Maker Faire site describes … Read More ...
Recycled Greeting
Micol (pronounced “Michael” and rhymes with “recycle” ) Day of recyclemicol offers a great tutorial on transforming greeting cards (or cardstock you have on hand) into pillow gift boxes that would make Martha proud. Be sure to check out her … Read More ...
Dr. Seuss Purse
Magazine Coasters
By using coasters, coffee or water rings on your favorite magazine covers are a thing of the past — or are they? These adorable recycled coasters, complete with rope trim, are made entirely from used magazine pages. The San … Read More ...
Truly Feminine Notebook
No post-consumer cardboard packaging is off limits for Ivy Lane Designs, home of “crafty-licious, one-of-a-kind, insta-collectibles,” which offers a boat-load of nicely crafted notebooks and journals made from discarded boxes. Most of the notebook covers are made from cereal … Read More ...
Crispina’s Ragamuffins
Thanks to sender-inner Janet, I have discovered the wonderful world of Crispina, a studio that transforms old sweaters and cotton pieces into stylish garments, sweaters, rugs, iPod pouches and other home accessories. I’ve been a stuffed animal lover … Read More ...
Annie’s Sweatshop
Finally, a sweatshop you can feel good about buying from. Annie’s Sweatshop offers a fine sampling of handmade stylish doggy accessories, including super-soft collars made from old silk ties (shown), sustainable pet beds made from recycled plastic and harnesses repurposed … Read More ...
Vintage Tin Figures
Janet Cooper is a recycled artist who incorporates interesting used goods that aren’t found in any ordinary garbage bin. Her funky mixed-media quilts, dolls, assemblage ladies and — my favorite — tin can figurines use vintage labels and packaging, antique … Read More ...
