Your cassette tapes from the 80s are probably doing nothing more than collecting dust, so why not turn them into something functional again? Wendy Russell, host of “She’s Crafty,” offers this easy tutorial on transforming clear cassette tapes into attractive … Read More ...
Fridge Candy Magnets
It’s eye candy — literally — for your fridge. I love the idea of using the colorful packaging from candy and other bite-size food items as refrigerator magnets. Instructions for this and many other innovative ideas can be found at … Read More ...
Wanted: Recycled Projects for Book
Here’s your chance to be published. Author-to-be Lynn of GreenHalloween.org is seeking recycled craft project ideas for a forthcoming book. See below for details, including the submission deadline of Jan. 15:
Lynn writes,
“My daughter and I are writing a … Read More ...
Bread Bag Choker
Who knew wrapping a bread bag around your neck would be so fashionable? Garbage of Eden Design at Etsy offers some fabulous trash-to-treasure items, including this bread bag choker, which was made by tightly wrapping a colorful bread bag onto … Read More ...
Recycled Cardboard Frame
If your family opened gifts these past few weeks, surely you have all the materials lying around to make this simple cardboard frame at kaboose.com. The project calls for corrugated cardboard, white cardboard (found in packaged shirts), a few everyday … Read More ...
Green Christmas Greeting
Here’s a modern take on the folded 3-D recycled booklet desktop tree or angel that so many of us have made in years past. These are cut, however, and weren’t made by elementary schoolchildren but rather by London-based design firm … Read More ...
CD Shower Curtain Accessories
Continue your “singing in the shower” theme by transferring discarded CDs to your shower curtain, as Trevor O’Neil did for ReadyMade magazine’s latest MacGyver Challenge.… Read More ...
Felted Jewelry
Lightweight and lovely describe the jewelry created by pagano designworks, who makes earrings and necklaces from recycled sweater felt. The shop’s featured earring sets are adorable sandwiches of various-colored felt, and all of the jewelry seems to be finely constructed … Read More ...
Upcycled Board Game – Monopoly Chair
Game board enthusiasts will go gaga over this Monopoly-themed chair, which was an entry created by SewIn2Disney for the latest Craftster Challenge, “Super Ugly to Super Awesome.” The artist completely refurbished a throw-away chair with a Monopoly pillow form and … Read More ...
Book Art
Jonathan Callan’s creates beautiful sculptural art from recycled books and publications. This piece, found on Haute*Nature, and titled “The Value of Politics,” reminds me of a larger-than-life cross-section of marbled multi-colored clay. See more of his work on … Read More ...
Photo Glass Beads
Looking for handmade and meaningful stocking stuffers? This new project from Craftbits.com may be your answer. Just glue flat clear glass marbles to photo index cards and cardboard, chipboard or heavy paper for a pocket-sized keepsake. The finished beads can … Read More ...
Jewel Case Cubes
I love this idea from Instructables, which constructs cubes from ordinary jewel cases without the use of any tools or adhesives. This would be a unique way to display photos and artwork — or nothing at all because they’re … Read More ...
Recycled LP Vinyl Record Handbag
Craftster features a number of vinyl record mini totes, including this rendition. Unlike so many other record recycling projects, this purse doesn’t require you to heat the vinyl, but it does require a power tool or two. Although it’s … Read More ...
Auto Parts Nativity Scene
If you’re in search of some beautiful recycled art inspiration, look no further than the NOVICA site, which features fairly-traded arts, crafts, jewelry, furnishings and home decors from artists around the world. (The site even includes the work of a … Read More ...
Arizona Tea Jewelry
Don’t you love it when half the work is already done for you? I’ve seen a smattering of jewelry made from beautiful Arizona tea can artwork, and Etsy member Little Libelle (so far) has filled her entire shop will Arizona … Read More ...