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?

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.