Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

smART Sketcher and cell phone are the easiest way to transfer images

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Today I have a fun new device to tell you about and show you how easy and fast it is to use. Meet the smART Sketcher. All you do is download the smARTt Sketcher App and you are ready to take a picture of anything and project it onto any surface to trace. But wait it gets even better!! Included in the App it will automatically convert a colored photograph into a black and white line drawing. So cool!

There are also lot of art and educational goodies as well available at the smART Sketcher website for all ages.

But today I wanted to start with taking my own picture using the red dot in the middle to take a picture of the face in a book to use to trace onto a board to paint. This has got to me the easiest image transfer technique I have tried yet!!

You then tap on the dot and it makes this fun “whooooshing” noise and it magically (via bluetooth) goes to the adorable Smart Sketcher.

A tip I would say is make sure not to move The smART Sketcher or your surface or you will have to line it back up again and that can be challenging if you are working on an uneven surface.

I can’t tell you how easy this was and how happy I am with the result. I was able to get to the fun painting part so fast being able to use a found image as a base guide and transfer it in a snap!

I used a bunch of Plaid paint in a variety of pretty colors to create the first in my series of “Zoom” paintings. The smART Sketcher is also available at Amazon.

 

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Recycled Paper Cylinder Face Art – A Colorful Win for All Ages

I recently stumbled across this super creative project on Instructables – “Face With Recycled Paper Cylinders” – and I had to share it with you all because it’s just the kind of craft that checks all my favorite boxes: recycled materials, hands-on creativity, and fun for literally any age.

The idea is simple but genius—roll strips of recycled paper (think junk mail, old magazines, leftover printer paper) into cylinders, then arrange and glue them to form a unique abstract face. You can make it funky, realistic, Picasso-inspired—whatever your mood or style dictates!

What I really love is the blend of eco-conscious crafting with true artistic expression. This isn’t just another kids’ project—it’s something you could easily do with a group of little ones, a classroom full of teens, or even as an adult art therapy or weekend wind-down activity. It’s super relaxing and surprisingly satisfying seeing all those paper rolls come together to form something new and expressive.

The tutorial itself is easy to follow, with plenty of visuals to guide you along the way. You don’t need any fancy materials—just glue, paper, scissors, and a board or piece of cardboard to serve as your canvas.

I also appreciate how this project leaves so much room for personalization. Want to make it into a full face? Go for it. Prefer to focus on a single eye or mouth? Totally works. You can even play with color schemes by choosing papers with a certain palette, or painting over them once they’re rolled.

In short: this is a total keeper for anyone who loves crafting with purpose. It’s the kind of project that sparks creativity while gently reinforcing the idea that beautiful things can come from what we usually throw away.

Highly recommend giving it a go—solo or with a group. And if you try it, tag me or drop a pic—I’d love to see your recycled masterpiece!