Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Wichita Women’s Initiative Network

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woven_rugs.jpgProlific knitter and fellow Wichitan Jill pointed me in the direction of a great organization: Wichita Women’s Initiative Network. Among the products that these women craft with love are top-notch rugs ($30) and place mats ($20) made entirely from old denim and other clothing.

Created in 1996, the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) offers a supportive environment for women in transition, providing social, educational and general life skills that allow them to regain job security in the work force. WIN employs women who are homeless, living in poverty or in transition from abusive situations, providing a holistic approach to improving their quality of life.

Certainly another organization to add to your gifts-with-meaning list!

 

Looking for more ways to use Recycled Denim in craft projects?

Check out this book featuring 10 other ways to use Denim jeans.

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Comments

  1. I went to the site due to your posting. I am asking them about a rug like the center one in the picture. I have also forwarded their project to my sister. Thanks for mentioning the site here which I found from visiting Cyndi Lavin’s Layers on Layers blog.

Have you read?

I Found a Table Made from Mannequin Legs—and I’m Still Not Over It

 

manequin table recycled

Okay, I have to tell you about one of the most bizarre-yet-brilliant DIYs I’ve come across in a while. While scrolling through google (as one does when deep into a late-night upcycling rabbit hole), I stumbled on a video tutorial for a table made out of mannequin legs. And honestly? I couldn’t look away.

This project is peak creative chaos—in the best way. The concept is exactly what it sounds like: four mannequin legs, flipped and fixed in place, supporting a standard tabletop. It’s got this quirky, surreal vibe that makes it feel part high fashion, part modern art installation. Think: Tim Burton meets IKEA.

What I loved most about this video is how surprisingly accessible it is. The creator breaks the process down clearly—so even though the end result looks totally wild, the steps are manageable. You’ll need a few tools and a decent amount of glue or screws (depending on how permanent you want this table to be), but nothing too technical.

Design-wise, this piece is an absolute conversation starter. It would look amazing in a creative studio, a funky coffee shop, or even as a statement piece in a minimalist home—anywhere you want to break the “normal furniture” mold. The contrast between the realistic mannequin legs and a basic tabletop is just the right kind of weird.

If you’re into recycled home decor, eco-conscious DIY projects, or just love adding some unexpected personality to your space, this one’s worth bookmarking. Whether or not you ever make it yourself, it’s guaranteed to make you see mannequins—and furniture—in a whole new way.

Catch the full tutorial and see the visual magic for yourself on Recyclart. Just be prepared to say, “Wait, is that a leg?” every time someone visits your house.