Recycled Gifts and Crafts

Upcycled Bust

2011-12-22T05:26:00.007-07:00

I have been working on setting up a shop on Etsy but being new to town with two dogs and a husband that is too shy to model I decided to make my own model. We have been saving the molded foam that electronics and small appliances come packed with so, we have a lot of molded foam on hand. Using double-sided tape to combine foam pieces I created this bust shape. After reviewing the overall shape I decided to take some of the side pieces off and to round out the top of the head; I used a large kitchen knife to cut off the top corners. Then, I papier-mâchéd the pieces together focusing on the connections to create a solid piece that did not wobble when picked up.

This is early during the application of the first papier-mâché layer. I just kept layering newsprint papier-mâché strips until the entire piece had an even uniform solid layer. By this point the piece was strong enough to handle but since I wanted to be able to dress and undress it without worrying I decided to apply another layer. Before adding layers I let everything dry thoroughly because the newsprint strips with flour paste shrink and tighten once dry. There area a total of newsprint papier-mâché layers. By this point the piece was strong enough to be handled without having to be too gentle.

Here is the final product. I used red ink from newspaper ads with white flour paste to give the lips some color so the face would not seem so featureless. And, the final layer is from an old out-of-date road atlas and diluted Elmer’s glue was used because I wanted the adhesive to dry clear for this layer. I went over the piece twice with the map strips because it was easy to miss spots and even now there is one area where a little bit of the newsprint shows through. I finished the bust with two coats of clear, matte finish enamel spray. I decided to name her Rose for the compass rose or windrose.

Gift Bags with Newspaper Print...Say, what?!

2010-11-04T09:06:00.000-06:00

To make a sturdier bag, I used two layers of newsprint.

1. Use two full section-sized pieces of paper...measurements at approximately 11" x 23."

2. Measure out 1" from what you want to be the top of the bag (make sure the print you want on the outside is on the bottom) and measure out 3" from the bottom of the bag. Fold at these 1" and 3" marks.

3. Next, measure from the left to right side (length-wise) in the following segments: 6," 4," 6," and 4"....whatever is left is fine (I had about 2 1/2" leftover). Fold at these marks. the 4" sections will make up the sides of the bag while the 6" sections will be the front and backs of the bag.

4. You should be able to clearly view all your fold marks. With both layers matched up, put glue on the little (on mine 2 1/2 ") flap left over at the end of your 6" and 4" measurements. Bring the other side around, lining it up with the fold at the 2 1/2" mark...you should have now created a cylindar.

5. Next, with the bottom, or 3" fold facing you, fold in the short sides till the 3" mark....it should look like you're wrapping a present.

Place glue on the triangular portions you've now created (I used glue stick) and glue up against the bottom of the bag. I pressed from the inside of the bag to make the adhesive more secure.

6. Your bag is almost complete! Gently holding the bag by the sides, begin the create the folds for the sides of the the bag that will allow it to fold up flat...this worked fairly naturally for me, the paper seemed to know where to fold...I just guided. Then press all the fold flat to create good creases.

7. Finishing touches! Punch holes where you'd like your handles to be. Cut your handles for string or ribbon or yarn you want to use (I cut ming about 14" long). String the handles throught the punched holes and tie knots on the inside.

Finally, cut a piece of cardboard or cardstock approximately 4" by 6" to place in the bottom of the bag to reinforce it. I used part of a cereal box. Place the insert in the bottom or your bag and you're done! Your bag should now measure about 7" tall, 6" wide, and 4" deep! Happy gifting :)

Cardboard Stampers

2010-11-03T22:49:00.018-06:00

Create custom wrapping paper, cards, stationary and more using just cardboard, string or rubber bands, glue, and a little paint.

1.Cut two pieces of cardboard that are the same size.

2.Cut three pieces that are slightly smaller than the pieces cut in step 1.

3.Glue the two larger pieces together from step 1.

4.Glue the 3 smaller pieces together from step 2.

5.Now glue the three smaller pieces to the back of the two larger pieces from step three. This will create a little handle to make stamping easier.

6.Use rubber bands and secure the glued stack of cardboard pieces and let dry.

7.Once the glue is dried remove the rubber bands.

8.Use a marker and draw your design on the front of the stamper with the larger pieces. You may want to work out your design in advance on a piece of paper.

9.Coat the front of the stamper with white, non-toxic, school glue going over the design which should still be visible from under the glue.

10.Place string or rubber bands over your design and let dry.

11.Once all the glue is dry, use a brush to paint the front of your stamper then firmly and evenly press onto paper.

Create custom wrapping paper, cards, and more with just cardboard, string (or rubber bands), and glue.

Here’s an example using a small blue rubber band and a cut up flat white rubber band.

An example of a used string stamper.

Here are easy to print instructions.

Recycled Book Purse

2010-04-15T16:05:00.002-06:00

Making a recycled book purse can be easy and I know you will LOVE the outcome! You can find many instructions to help you in your creation, but I especially like the following site. It even has a how to video to help you along. Here is the link: http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/12/30/crafty-reuse-make-a-purse-from-a-recycled-book-video/
Happy crafting!

Some of my favorite places for ideas...

2009-11-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

Have a favorite wool sweater you can't throw away?

2009-11-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

How about felting it? I found this great discussion/tutorial on felting wool @ crafting a green world.

Tips & Tricks

2009-11-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Save cereal boxes for a nice, lightweight cardboard for making craft templates. Paper grocery sacks work well for this too!
Used wine corks can be re-envisioned into beautiful cork boards!
I'm an avid knitter...and I save all the little bits of yarn leftover from projects. Usually I just roll them up together in their own ball. Later, I'll knit something just out of those scraps: cotton yarns turn into striped dishrags, and everything else would make a great scrappy scarf!

Another Aside to Old Jeans...

2009-11-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

You can also cut out the pocket on old jeans, decorate the outside of the pocket how you like (or choose a pocket w/ a cool pattern). Glue a magnet on each corner of the pocket, stuff w/ pens & a notepad...

Makes a great gift for friends! They'll never have to search for a pen & paper while on the phone again.

I don't have a picture of the ones I've made, but this link gives you a good idea.

Do you hang onto Jeans for-ever?

2009-11-23T12:10:00.001-07:00

If you do, perhaps making a denim quilt is for you! So, I save all my worn out jeans and when I've got a good stack, my mom or I decide to make a new denim quilt.

It will surprise you how much denim it actually takes, so we generally supplement w/ buying jeans from local thrift stores--the jeans that they don't want to sell. They're getting a second life in a quilt instead!

The first step (after washing) is to cut away all thost thick jean seams to give yourself the most workable pieces of jean left....namely the legs. Cut these pieces into the size square you want (I generally stick around 5 1/2" to 6 1/2"). I've never done anything more complicated that choosing one size of block & making them all the same.

Once you have your stack o' squares: lay them out in a pattern that appeals to you. This is where I have fun playing w/ color tones! Then sew your blocks together in that pattern.

Now that you've sewn your top together....feel how heavy that is! Wow. Since, denim is such a heavy material I opt to not put any batting inside. Instead I purchase a flannel that I like and prep it (wash & dry) for my backing. Lay your flannel on the floor and center your denim top over it. I then tie the top and bottom together using scrap pieces of yarn (the only bit here not recycled is the flannel & thread!).

To finish the edges, I then cut the flannel to an equal distance around the edge of the denim top (probably a good four to five inches out), fold it over to the top and sew it down on the machine.

Old jeans make the best blankets for cold winter days ever!

Envelopes from Magazines: Mail your Letters in Style!

2009-11-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite ways to recycle magazines is to make envelopes out of all the beautiful images inside!

First, I suggest taking a couple of your favorite sized envelopes and breaking all the seals--creating an instant template that I like to trace the outline onto a heavier material (cardstock, cardboard, whatever works best for you). *hint* Make sure your templates can be contained in an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper, otherwise you'll find that most magazine pages won't be large enough.

Then find all the pages in your magazines whose design appeals to you (I find I end up w/ lots of advertisements!).

With a dark pen or marker trace your templates onto the magazine pages you want to become envelopes. I always think about what I want to end up on the front of the envelope, since that has the largest space available for show.

After you cut out all of your fresh envelopes, now comes the folding process: fold all the edges into the center, leaving the image you don't like inside. Then run some glue on the side folds and pres them together....

Your envelope is ready! I use these most for gifts, but if you want to mail them, I'd recommend using a small address label to make it easier for the post office to read :)

Toy Creativity Contest by the Museum of Tolerance

2009-11-11T15:41:00.007-07:00

The Museum of Tolerance has a new exhibit called, "The Power to Play: From Trash to Treasure". This exhibit showcases toys made by children from around the world using recycled or trash materials.

And the Museum of Tolerance is also hosting the Toy Creativity Contest. Anyone under the age of 18 can participate. Below are the contest guidelines pasted directly from the Museum of Tolerance's website.

Contest Guidelines:
•Toy must be created by persons 18 years of age or younger
•Toys must be made from recycled materials
•Toys can be no larger than 12”l x 12”w x 14”h
*All toy submissions will be considered donations to the museum exhibition.

November's Real Simple

2009-11-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

November's Real Simple had some great tips for reusing old CDs and Jewel Cases! Check it out. My favorite was using the jewel case (lined w/ double-sided tape) to work with beads. :)

Recycled Crafts Program...

2009-10-29T16:30:00.002-06:00

is coming to the Powell Branch Library on Monday, November 23rd @ 6 pm. The program will highlight recycled paper crafts, bottle cap animals, capri sun gifts, and recycled textiles.

So, come to the meeting room ready to share your recycled craft experiences and learn some new tricks!

What are you interested in recycling?

2009-10-29T16:26:00.000-06:00

Feeling frustrated at having to throw something away? What's your pet peeve when it comes to our disposable society? Is it bottle caps or something else?

Leave a comment and let us know. And better yet, let's discuss ways to utilize these matierials and turn them into something creative! I mean, why not?