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.”

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?

45 Genius Ways to Upcycle a World Globe, That Will Spin You Right Out

Let’s be honest — there’s something magical about an old globe. Maybe it’s the promise of adventure, the feeling that anything is possible, or just that vintage charm that instantly makes a room feel more interesting. Whatever it is, globes are one of those items that are hard to pass up at a thrift store, even if you have absolutely no idea what you’re going to do with them.

I’ll be the first to admit it — I have a bit of a globe problem. Over the years, I’ve collected more than a few, ranging from nearly pristine to completely beat-up relics with peeling paper and outdated country names. I even found one once that didn’t have Antarctica on it at all. I’m not saying that makes it rare and collectible, but it definitely makes it interesting.

Eventually, the stack of globes started taking over a corner of my craft room, and it hit me — I either needed to start getting creative with them or prepare for a feature on a hoarder reality show. Naturally, the creative route won.

If you’re like me and you’ve got an old globe or two lying around, or you just can’t resist picking one up when you spot it for a few dollars, this post is for you. There are so many clever and beautiful ways to upcycle a globe, from simple crafts you can do in an afternoon to statement pieces that will totally transform your home décor.

Some ideas are as easy as adding a little paint or turning half a globe into a bowl. Others involve a bit more work, like rewiring it into a stunning lamp or cutting it apart for a series of wall art pieces. But no matter your skill level or style, there’s something on this list to spark your creativity.

Going Globe-bowl  

Trash to Treasure DIY: Repurposed Globe Bowl

DIY Vintage Valentine Globe – American Farmhouse Style

Up-cycled Globe – LOVE Art — CraftBits.com

Ohhh So Easy Upcycled Globe Makeover

How to upcycle a children’s globe in 5 easy steps

Upcycled Globe Lamp : 5 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables 

Upcycled Thrift Store Globe – Manda Panda Projects

Upcycled & Painted Thrift Store Globe 

Unconsumption — In today’s GOOD NEWS: I salvaged a vintage globe…

Birdseeds: Let Your Light Shine 

Build a Globe Clock : 6 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables 

Peace on Earth Globe {Tutorial} | Endlessly Inspired 

Going Globe-bowl

Trash to Treasure DIY: Repurposed Globe Bowl

Patina White: i’ve got the whole world…

Trash to Treasure DIY: Repurposed Globe Bowl 

Dr-seuss-craft-quote-on-a-globe

Repurposed Globe Cloche

Upcycled Globe Art – Make:

An upcycled globe design 

Earth Day Craft: Upcycled Globe – The Papery Craftery

DIY Globe Upcycled Bank 

Eye-Candy For Travellers: Unique DIY Globe Clock – Shelterness 

Le livre d’or qui fait voyager loin

Black and Gold Globe  

DIY – TURN THAT OLD GLOBE INTO A HANGING LAMP

An old globe gets a coastal inspired make-over. 

An easy ombre globe. | The V Spot 

Upcycle a globe into a DIY gift anyone will love

Make a ribbon covered globe for Halloween. | The V Spot 

He’s Got the Whole World In His Room – Bower Power 

Scary Places chalkboard Halloween globe (huh….?) | The V Spot

Revamp an Old Globe : 7 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables 

Cassie Stephens: DIY: How to Recycle an Old Globe!

How to create a light fixture from a vintage world globe | Debis Design Diary 

Refinish an Old Globe with Chalk Paint – Simple Practical Beautiful 

Sheet Music Globe – Cutesy Crafts

Easy Peasy Upcycled Globe

Oh, The Places We’ll Go: A Travel-Fund DIY – Radmegan 

DIY {half} globe light fixture cover

Small World Decoupage Globe (Vintage Disneyland Room) – Persia Lou 

How to Make a Globe Pendant Light | Upcycle That

What I love most about these projects is that they are not just about recycling. They are about breathing new life into something that has already traveled the world in its own way. Each scratch and faded border tells a story, and now you get to add your own chapter.

You also do not need a perfect globe for most of these projects. In fact, the more worn and battered it is, the better. It adds character and charm that a brand new globe could never offer. Plus, if you are going to cut, paint, or drill into it, it feels a little less painful when it’s already on its last legs.

Whether you are after a quick afternoon project or a more ambitious weekend DIY, this list of 45 ways to upcycle a world globe will have you seeing the world in a whole new way — literally.

So next time you spot a lonely old globe at a garage sale, thrift shop, or hiding in your grandparents’ attic, grab it. With just a little imagination and a few basic supplies, you can turn it into something beautiful, useful, and totally unique.

And if you do try one of these ideas, I would love to hear about it. There is nothing better than seeing how everyone puts their own spin on a classic craft idea.

Get ready to upcycle and let your creativity take flight — the world is waiting.