Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Wanted: Recycled Projects for Book

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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 book tentatively titled, “Green Celebrations.” I plan on contributing most of the craft ideas, but I thought it would be fun to spread it around a bit. So if anyone has an original idea for a “green” craft they’d like to contribute, let me know.

I already have enough for Christmas, Halloween and birthdays. I’m especially interested in ideas for July 4th, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and New Year’s, but will consider others as well. (Anniversaries, baby showers, Thanksgiving etc.)

What do I mean by “green?” All parts of the item(s) must be made using Earth-friendly or people friendly or recycled items. So for instance, if you were to suggest a candle decorated with pine cones, the candle would need to be a soy candle. Recycled articles are excellent as long as they can be commonly found. Ideas using plastic grocery bags, glass, cardboard boxes, metal etc. are great. The fewer components necessary to create the item, the better.

ITEMS MUST BE SPECIFIC TO A PARTICULAR HOLIDAY OR CELEBRATION. Please do not send me a suggestion and say, “This could be used for any holiday.”

I’m hoping to get ideas in two categories, 1. decorations and 2. crafting activities that families/people could do together as part of the celebration.

In exchange, if we use YOUR idea, we will mention your name, location and a link to a website on our contributors page and/or with the item. Also, we will probably offer a live link on our website, but can’t promise that yet since we’re not at that point.

If you know others who are not on this list and might want to participate, please feel free to pass on this message.

*NOTE: If I get flooded with ideas, I might not be able to respond to those that are not going to work for us. Also, in the case of several people contributing the same idea, I’ll have to go with the first submission. Please note that you may have the same idea as I have had or someone else. I am not going to steal anyone’s idea and use it without attribution. But it’s entirely possible that you could submit something and see it in the book because either I or someone else had the concept as well. By emailing me your idea, you accept that it may or may not be used.You also warrant that to your knowledge, the idea is original to you.

Please email submissions to [email protected].

Deadline: JANUARY 15, 2008.”

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Comments

  1. Hi! Another idea. Some of the potato chips bags have a silver lining. You use wash these really good and turn them inside out for a gift bag. I usually only tie with ribbon. Mary Hall

  3. Thanks for the suggestion, Mary. To ensure that Lynn, the author, receives your idea, please e-mail it to the address listed at the end of the post. Thanks!

Have you read?

How to Paint Melamine Furniture

Recently, we received an email from Jenny, one of our readers, asking for some advice on painting melamine furniture. Jenny was looking to refresh an old dresser but wasn’t sure about the right way to tackle the project. Well, we’ve got just the thing! After some digging, we came across a fantastic article on Spraypaint Blog titled How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture, which walks you through the process step-by-step.

Why This Article is Perfect for Jenny (and You!)

This guide is incredibly comprehensive, covering everything you need to know about painting melamine—an often tricky material to work with. Melamine is known for its smooth, glossy surface, which can be tough to paint without the right preparation. But with the tips from this article, you’ll learn how to properly prep your melamine pieces, choose the right paint, and achieve a professional-looking finish.

The article also dives into the importance of sanding and priming the surface to ensure that the paint adheres well. With these steps, Jenny (and anyone else trying this project) can be sure that their painted melamine furniture will not only look great but last for years to come.

Jenny, we hope this article gives you all the info you need to tackle your melamine furniture project! It’s clear from the tutorial that a little prep work goes a long way, and with the right products, even melamine can be transformed into a beautiful, personalized piece.

For anyone else curious about painting melamine, check out the full article on Spraypaint Blog for all the tips and techniques: How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture. Happy painting!

My Tips for Painting Melamine Furniture

Hey Jenny (and anyone else planning a melamine project), here are my top tips to help you get the best results when painting melamine furniture:

Prep is Key
Clean the surface well, then lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to give the primer something to grip onto. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

Prime Like a Pro
Don’t skip the primer! Use a bonding primer that’s made for glossy surfaces or melamine. It’ll make sure your paint sticks and lasts.

Pick the Right Paint
Go for a good enamel or acrylic paint. I use a foam roller for a smooth finish—no brushstrokes! Apply a few thin coats, letting each one dry in between.

Topcoat for Durability
Once the paint’s dry, apply a protective topcoat (polyurethane or polycrylic) to help it stay scratch-free.

Give It Time
Let the paint cure for at least 48 hours before using the furniture—longer is even better! It’ll help the finish hold up over time.

Get Creative
Don’t be afraid to try fun colors or finishes! Melamine is perfect for getting a bit adventurous.