Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

The Naughty Secretary Club Book – Review and Giveaway!

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I’m always on the lookout for craft books that emphasize reusing and recycling unique materials, so when Jennifer Perkins, not only the writer of Craft Artist Life here at Craft Gossip, but also owner of the Naughty Secretary Club shop, told the world that she’d written a book, I couldn’t wait for it to come out. I have to say, I was overwhelmed with how good it is!

From cover to cover, this book has not only great supply lists and directions on jewelry-making, it’s chock-full of ideas for re-purposing great everyday finds. Some of my favorite projects include using vintage neckties for both headbands and pins … I’ve got a huge obsession for vintage ties!

While Jennifer’s jewelry style is much bigger than mine (literally. I tend to wear teenie tiny pieces), the book has quickly taken up a prominent spot on my bookshelf because her jewelry-making instructions are some of the best I’ve read. She clearly and simply explains how to use found items in your baubles, making your accessories completely unique and easy to make!

And because I love it so much, I wanted to give you all a chance to love it to! So from now until September 10th at 5pm (CST), leave a comment here and I’ll randomly pick one person to win a copy of the Naught Secretary Club Book! Be sure to leave your name and e-mail address so I can contact you if you win!

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Comments

  4. That looks like a very cool book..I will have to look into that if I don’t win it 😉
    lol
    Natasha

  5. oh, I just reread the entry details….do you need me to put my email in the message, or is it cool it if is just in the form? 😀

  7. OK, leaving my comment. Does being first give me better odds at winning? 😉

    I would really love to get my hands on this book, thank you for running the contest.

  10. This book looks amazing, I’ve been getting really into repurposing vintage jewelry and other items into new jewelry lately and I love the one-of-a-kind look!

  11. I am so excited about this book. I just branched out from my normal paper mache’ kick to try my hand at jewelry. I am also a member of the St. Louis Craft Mafia so I am excited to see a fellow Craft Mafia person succeed and share their knowledge too. Yay for Jennifer!

  15. I love getting your blog through my RSS reader and I love Jennifer Perkins. What a nice surprise to see these two loves combined. Please put me in line for a chance to win the book. Thanks!

  17. …I have seen the book cover and was wondering about it!! Looks like this has to go on my want list…;-))) Or maybe I am lucky and will be picked…???

  18. This sounds like so much fun! With the kids going back to school, I’ll have all kinds of time on my hands to play!

  19. That book looks so fun! I’ve loved making jewelry for years, but repurposed materials are pretty new to me so I’d love to take a look at it!

  23. sounds amazing I make my own jewlerly and love new ideas. My sister and I would love that book. we are always on the lookout for more cool ideas. I love the cover it so retro(my sister and love that style)

  26. I would love to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the op to do so.
    Oh, and love your site! I’m going to go lookie loo around some more. 🙂

  28. This book sounds wonderful! I’m always looking for new ideas on how to reuse things in different ways. Thanks for this giveaway!

  30. I have been so into this kind of craft recently. Especially going green, i love the idea of making jewelry with unordinary materials. I have been getting craft books from the library and buying the ones that i am sad to give back:)
    This book sounds like one of those!!!

  31. The very few times I’ve tried to make jewlery, I’ve gotten overwhelmed with all of the fabulous choices for beads, embellishments, findings, etc. and can’t seem to make them work as well as others. A book with some ideas on how to put it all together would be a great shove in the right direction for my jewlery making efforts!

  32. Id love to be in the draw to win this book – but as I am in Australia I am unsure if I am ok to join.

    Either way thankyou for the offer 🙂
    Heather

  33. The library I work for bought not one, but two copies of this book for our patrons! Crafting is super-popular here, and reusing materials doubly so.

  34. I’d love to get my hands on this book. Now that my boys are getting older, I’d like to get back into jewelry making.

  37. wow, what a great sounding book. I have problems with instructions that are hard to understand and end up giving up on the project. If this book is as good as you say, I will finally finish something, LOL. I love reusing old items, too. Thanks for sharing.

  41. YES PLEASE! I would LOVE to learn to make jewlery. I’ve heard about this book. Count me in on the drawing! THANKS!!!

  44. I’ve always been a fan of big, fun jewelry. Whenever I wear the gold and silver, it looks nice; but always get the most comments on the fun stuff. My favorite is one made from old cracker jack toys. I didn’t make it, but get many great comments on it, and would love to be able to make something like that.
    Thanks for offering this book. Would like to see what gets made from whomever wins it.

  47. What a great book! I have been toying with the idea of learning to make my own jewelry {I am craft challanged} so I am way excited to see this book! If I don’t win, I will have to check it out of the library or even buy it! Thanks for introducing me to it.

  48. I need a lot of help with my new endeavor–jewelry making–and this looks like a super book for it!

Have you read?

DIY Paper Bag Mushrooms – A Creative Upcycled Craft for Kids and Nature Lovers

There’s something magical about mushrooms — maybe it’s the fairy-tale vibes or their cozy woodland charm. Either way, turning ordinary brown paper bags into mushrooms is a fun, hands-on craft project that kids (and adults) will enjoy. The best part? You’re reusing materials that might otherwise go to waste. Win-win!

This easy tutorial walks you through making your very own forest of recycled mushrooms using simple supplies you likely already have around the house.

What You’ll Need:

  • Brown paper lunch bags (you can even use grocery bags cut to size)

  • Scrap paper or newspaper for stuffing

  • String, yarn, or twine

  • Scissors

  • Paints (acrylic or tempera work best)

  • Paintbrushes or sponges

  • Optional extras: markers, stickers, googly eyes, craft glue

Step-by-Step: How to Make Your Mushrooms

Step 1: Create the Mushroom Top
Start by opening your paper bag and gently crumpling up some newspaper or scrap paper. Stuff it into the bottom of the bag — not too tight, just enough to give it a rounded shape that will form the mushroom cap.

Step 2: Form the Stem
Once the top is nice and puffy, hold the bag just underneath the stuffed section and twist it lightly to shape the stem. Tie a piece of twine or string around this part to hold the form. You’ll now have a mushroom top with a long paper bag hanging down — that’s your stem.

Step 3: Trim to Size
If the stem looks too long or uneven, grab your scissors and snip it down to your preferred height. You can even experiment with making some taller and some short and chubby for a little mushroom variety.

Step 4: Paint and Decorate
Time for the fun part — painting! Flip the mushroom cap upright and paint it any way you like. Classic red with white spots? Go for it. Bright blue with glitter? Why not! Use brushes or dabbers to add spots, swirls, or patterns. Let kids express their creativity — there’s no wrong way to decorate a magic mushroom!

Step 5: Let It Dry
Place your mushrooms somewhere safe to dry. You can use a sheet of newspaper or cardboard to avoid mess. Once dry, they’ll stiffen a little and hold their shape nicely.

Step 6: Display Your Mushroom Garden
Line them up on a windowsill, add them to a play area, or build a fairy village in the corner of a room. You can even glue them to a cardboard base and add moss, pebbles, and tiny paper critters for a full scene.

Extra Ideas:

  • Add flags or tiny doors to make mushroom homes.

  • Draw faces or names on the stems to turn them into characters.

  • Use cotton balls or pom-poms for fluffy mushroom spots.

Why This Project Rocks:

This is one of those crafts that doesn’t need a trip to the store or fancy tools — just a little time, a few basic supplies, and a bit of imagination. Plus, it encourages kids to see the creative potential in everyday materials — a great step toward more mindful, eco-conscious crafting.

So go ahead, raid the recycling bin and bring a mini mushroom forest to life.

How to make giant toadstools out of recycled tires

How to make champagne cork toadstools

How to make recycled Easter egg mushrooms

How to make recycled toilet paper tube mushrooms

How to make a rainbow forest of adorable recycled mushrooms