Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Vancouver Recycled Arts Festival

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Straight from the source, here’s a news release from the Clark County (Washington state) public relations office on this coming weekend’s Recycled Arts Festival:

Vancouver, WA – Live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and 50 vendors selling art using recycled items will highlight the Recycled Arts Festival on Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8 at Esther Short Park. The event will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Entry is free.

Artists will display and sell art designed from reused or reclaimed materials. Live music will be on stage throughout the weekend as well as a children’s tent for recycled arts and crafts activities.

New to the event this year will be the Tossed and Found display. It will consist of good, reusable treasures from the transfer station that people have thrown away. They will be on display all weekend but, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, festival-goers will be allowed to tag an item of their choice to be taken home on Sunday afternoon.

Furry Friends, experts at re-homing rescued, homeless cats, will have a variety of kittens and cats available for adoption at the park. On Sunday, the organization will offer an AVID chipping clinic for a suggested donation of $20.

The event is sponsored by the Clark County Solid Waste Program with support from the Environmental Information Cooperative, Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.

Vancouver Recycled Arts Festival

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Don’t Toss That Old Fence! Here’s How to Give It a Second Life in the Garden

When our old fence blew down during the recent cyclone (thanks, nature ), I did what any slightly obsessive DIYer would do—I went straight to Google to find a way to repurpose the whole lot instead of sending it to the tip.

That’s when I stumbled across this brilliant tutorial from Journey with Jill about turning old fence boards into DIY raised garden beds. Total game changer. Not only does it save you money on lumber (which, let’s be real, isn’t cheap right now), but it also gives that weathered wood a gorgeous, rustic look that fits so well in the garden.

Her step-by-step guide is super practical, especially if you’re like me and not quite ready to part with “good wood” even if it’s a little rough around the edges. I loved how she emphasized prepping the boards properly and keeping the build simple—no fancy tools or complex measurements, just a solid, doable weekend project.

Why I’m Loving This Raised Bed Idea:

  • It’s eco-friendly (hello, upcycling win!)

  • The aged wood has such a cozy, natural aesthetic

  • It’s perfect for veggie beds, herbs, or even a rustic flower patch

  • And hey, there’s something very satisfying about turning storm chaos into garden calm

So if you’ve got a sad pile of fence boards and a patch of dirt calling your name, check out Jill’s full tutorial right here. Your future tomatoes will thank you.

Now I just need to convince the family that pulling nails from old fence boards is “fun quality time”