Category Archives:Craft Recycled

17
Oct

Grocery Bag Crafts: Make ‘Em and Make *with* ‘Em

Grocery Bag Crafts

Want to make your own grocery totes or try your hand a grocery bag crafts? We have project ideas for you!

You know that you should be bringing your own reusable grocery bags to the store, but sometimes you forget, right? We all do! Here are a couple of craft ideas for DIY grocery bags that you can make and a couple of grocery bag crafts to make the best of a bad situation when you forget your reusable bags at home.

How to Make a Grocery Bag

There are lots of ways that you can make your own grocery bags, and we've got a couple of simple ones for you!

DIY Mesh Grocery Bag - Got an old t-shirt? Turn it into a mesh grocery bag that's easy to stash in your purse.

Coffee Sack Grocery Bag - Transform an old coffee sack into a sturdy market tote. If you don't have one in your stash, try asking around at local coffee shops. They're often happy to part with any extras they have.

Grocery Bag Crafts

Did you forget your bag at home? Instead of beating yourself up, get crafty! We've got two options for you: one for paper and one for plastic.

DIY Paper Fruit Basket - This project uses old-school basket weaving skills to turn a paper grocery bag into a cute counter top fruit basket.

Fused Plastic Place Mat - This is the simplest plastic fusing project ever. Grab your iron, and make yourself some place mats!

Do you have a favorite tutorial for making a grocery bag or a favorite grocery bag craft? Tell us yours in the comments!

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, DIY, DIY grocery bags, grocery bag crafts, reuse
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15
Oct

Spotted: Grocery Tote made from a Coffee Sack

grocery tote

Need another grocery tote for your stash? Grab an old coffee sack, and make your own in a snap!

I know, bringing your own reusable grocery tote is kind of green 101, but I couldn't resist sharing this super adorable homemade market bag. It's made from a reclaimed coffee sack, which is such a perfect size for toting home food from the grocery store or farmers market.

Caitlin at Merry Thought created this sweet rope-handled grocery tote and shares her process in a beautiful photo tutorial. I love the sturdiness of her design. The full lining and heavy rope handles will hold up to a lot more use than those cheapo reusable grocery totes you find at the store.

If you want to make a market bag of your own, you'll need:

  •  a coffee sack
  • fabric for lining
  • rope
  • twine
  • scissors
  • a sewing machine

Want to make your own DIY grocery tote? Click here for the tutorial!

Posted:   |   Categories: coffee bag crafts, Craft Recycled, DIY, DIY grocery tote, DIY market bad, grocery tote
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01
Oct

Spotted: How to Make a Pinata that’s Quick and Easy

how to make a pinata

Store-bought pinatas are far from eco-friendly. Here's how to make a pinata that's totally unique and uses reclaimed materials.

Kids love a pinata. Heck, so do grown-ups. We had a party once years ago where we filled a giant octopus-shaped pinata with airplane-sized bottles of booze, and it was such a hit! Whether you're planning a kid's birthday party or a grown-up shindig, here's how to make a pinata the quick and easy way.

How to Make a Pinata with Reclaimed Materials

Zoe Saint-Paul over at Slow Mama shares a great tutorial on how to make a quick, easy pinata, and with just a couple of substitutions, you can make this already pretty eco-friendly project even greener. Here are the materials she calls for, along with substitution suggestions:

  • empty cardboard box - just make sure this is reclaimed. If you don't have an empty box on hand, your local package store probably has a mountain of them and would be happy to share one with you.
  • crepe paper - instead of new crepe paper, use strips of paper from your recycle bin. Old junk mail or coffee filters (rinsed and dried) would both work really well.
  • spray adhesive - these can be pretty toxic. Instead of a spray adhesive, just use watered down glue to paper mache your pinata. Paint the section that you want to cover with the glue mixture, and stick your strips of paper down.

Reclaimed paper isn't going to give your project a uniform color. That could be a-OK - the kids are just going to whack it to pieces with a broomstick, right? - or you can paint it to make it uniform. Hit the home improvement store for a pint of zero-VOC paint, if that's your plan.

The real trick for how to make a pinata that's quick and easy is skipping the fringe. Do kids really care about that? I bet they just want to whack that thing and get at the candy that's inside!

Click here for the tutorial!

Have you made a pinata? Was your technique like the one I describe, or did you do it differently? Share your tips on how to make a pinata in the comments!

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, DIY, DIY pinata, how to make a pinata, pinata
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26
Sep

Denim Crafts: 5 Ways to Reuse Old Jeans

Denim Crafts Collage

Last week I shared a site where you can recycle old denim that's in no shape to even use for crafting, but what about those old jeans that would still hold up to the craft knife? Here are some fun denim crafts to make those old jeans new again!

When you're shopping for thrift store jeans or just perusing the denim in your closet, do you ever come across a pair of jeans that are either in need of repair or too damaged to wear but have plenty of usable denim left? Instead of tossing that denim in the bin, you can use your crafty skills to turn them into something usable and new.

The big problem with throwing organic matter like denim in the trash is that when it breaks down in the landfill, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas that's much more harmful to our planet than CO2. If your old jeans are too threadbare to even cut up and craft with - or if you're left with denim scraps at the end of your craft project - take a look at Blue Jeans Go Green, a service that recycled old denim and turns it into insulation!

OK, got those old jeans ready? Let's create some denim crafts!

1. Denim Stamps

Before you ship off those denim scraps for recycling, check out this tutorial from Karen Lee on how to turn those scraps into cute little stamps. Not only are you keeping denim out of the landfill, but you can skip a trip to the craft store to buy a mass-produced stamp. Boom!

2. DIY Wrist Cuffs

Old jeans are perfect for creating wrist cuffs for yourself or to give as gifts. You can actually use any heavy fabric that you have handy, so grab some scissors and old jeans, and get crafty!

3. Denim Crafts: Recycled Denim Bowl

Cut that denim into strips, grab your crochet hook, and whip up a cute denim bowl out of your old jeans. Miko at She's Crafty doesn't give a step-by-step for this one, but any crocheted bowl tutorial that calls for chunky yarn will work here.

4. Mend Old Jeans

Do your favorite jeans have a tear in them? Turn that imperfection into a beautiful detail with reverse applique!

5. Denim Jewelry

This is another denim craft that's great for using up those scraps of old jeans. Spotted Canary shares a very cute tute for making a denim necklace over at Craftster.

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, denim crafts, DIY, reuse old jeans
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23
Aug

Reuse Car Tires: 5 Crafty Projects

reuse car tires tire swing

Got a bald or busted tire? Don't send it to the dump! Check out these crafty ways to reuse car tires instead!

5 Ways to Reuse Car Tires

1. Tire Swing

Your kiddos will love playing with a classic, upcycled tire swing, and they're really not that hard to make, if you have some good instructions.

Click here for more!

2. Tire Ottoman

This project from Apartment Therapy uses an old tire in such a clever way that your guests will never know that they're putting their feet up on a reclaimed car tire.

 Click here for the tutorial!

3. Potato Planter

If you have a few old tires lying around, you can turn them into a potato planter. Check out the video above for deets.

4. Tire See-Saw

Feeling handy? Check out how to turn an old tire into a fun see-saw or rocker!

Click here for the tutorial!

5. Hanging Flower Planter

Paint your tire to create a stunning hanging planter for your garden. Choose flowers that will spill over the edge for the best results.

Click here for the tutorial!

Have you found any crafty ways to reuse car tires? We'd love to hear your ideas!

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, DIY, how to reuse car tires, how to reuse tires, reuse car tires, tire crafts, ways to reuse car tires
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09
Aug

Spotted: How to Make a Tire Swing

how to make a tire swing

There's something iconic about a tire swing, isn't there? What's even better is that there is no single, end-all "how to make a tire swing." You can most likely use tools and supplies that you have on hand. The only thing you need for certain is a used tire.

The best part? If you snag an old tire, you're doing your part to divert it from the waste stream, or even worse keep it from becoming litter. Tires might seem to big to be considered litter, but illegal tire dumping is terrible for the environment and for public health. Dumped tires become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, because standing water collects inside of them. Tires are also a lot larger than your typical litter, so when they do end up dumped by the side of the road, they're a terrible eyesore.

How to Make a Tire Swing

Over at Crafting a Green World, Julie Finn shares an incredibly helpful roundup of tire swing tutorials along with some tips that she has picked up from building her own tire swing. This is a quick, one-day project, so you can build and enjoy your tire swing in the very same weekend.

how to make a tire swing

The supplies you need can vary, depending on how you decide to attack your tire swing, but here are the basics:

  • reclaimed tire
  • length of chain or strong rope
  • eye bolts
  • S-hooks or locking carabiners

 Ready to get the details? Click here for the tutorials!

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, DIY, how to make a swing, how to make a tire swing, how to reuse tires, Living, tire crafts, tire swing, Yard+Garden
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26
Jul

Mason Jar Party Time! DIY Mason Jar Party Decor

Mason Jar Party Lantern

Fancy up your next summer shindig and make it a mason jar party! Mason jars are useful for sassing up any party, from food and drink to decorations.

Mason jars are more than just handy. They're a great eco-friendly craft supply to keep on hand. You can often find vintage mason jars at yard sales, thrift stores, or on eBay. Even if you end up buying new mason jars, their durability still makes them very eco-friendly. Those glass jars and the metal lids that come with them will last you for years and years, unlike cheap plastic goods.

Because they're versatile and sturdy, mason jars work great for all kinds of party decor. Check out these mason jar party ideas for your next backyard party!

1. Hanging Lantern

Light up the night with lots of hanging lanterns made from just a couple of simple supplies that you probably have on hand right this second!

2. No-Spill Party Glasses

Grab some simple tools and turn a batch of mason jars into reusable cups! Just make sure you choose a paper, metal, or glass straw instead of a plastic one for healthier sipping!

mason jar cocktails

3. Mason Jar Cocktails

Instead of altering your jars to make sippy cups, you can also use them to serve pre-mixed cocktails with less mess.

4. Individual Cobblers

Make dessert extra special at your next throwdown by baking up a batch of cobblers in mason jars that your guests can grab and munch.

5. A Cooler Veggie Plate

A plate of crudites might look a little bit boring. Serve carrot and celery sticks, slices of sweet pepper, and other raw veggies in mason jars for a more appealing presentation.

Have you done any fun mason jar party crafts? I'd love to hear your DIY ideas in the comments!

Of course, I can't think about parties without thinking about one of my favorite songs by my very favorite band:

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, DIY, Glassware, Home+Decor, Living, mason jar crafts, mason jar ideas, mason jar party, mason jars
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03
Jul

Spotted: DIY Fruit Basket Made from Grocery Bags

Paper Fruit Basket

These sweet fruit baskets are made from reclaimed paper grocery bags!

As much as I'd like to say that I always bring reusable bags to the store, sometimes I slip up. Other times, I bring one bag because I think I'm going to just grab a few essentials but end up with a cart full of groceries. Next time you have to take a single-use bag at the store, don't fret. Ask for paper, and head home to get crafty!

Do you remember doing old-school paper weaving when you were a kid? Crafter Lia Griffith uses that same technique to create these cute berry serving baskets. I love the simplicity of this project and that you probably have all of the materials that you need to create it right in your house!

Fruit Basket Tutorial

To make your own DIY fruit basket, you'll need:

  • an old grocery bag
  • ruler
  • pen or pencil
  • scissors
  • clothes pin
  • hot glue gun

Lia has a beautiful photo tutorial showing you how to weave this basket together. Click here to check it out!

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, crafty reuse, creative reuse, DIY, DIY fruit basket, grocery bag crafts, paper crafts, reuse, upcycling
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25
Jun

Spotted: Upcycled Ottoman from a Wood Pallet

craftRECYCLED logoupcycled ottoman

We love a good pallet project around here, and this tufted, upcycled ottoman is rocking our socks!

Allyson at Domestic Superhero made this ottoman from a reclaimed wood pallet. It's kind of a beast of a project, but the results are so stunning, it's totally worth it.

There's a bit of debate about whether wood pallets are safe for crafting. The short version of the debate is that pallets are sometimes made from treated wood, and some tests have found bacteria like e. coli on wooden pallets. The treated wood is really more of an issue if you're using the pallet wood for something like growing food or building a tabletop that you'll be directly in contact with.

As for the bacteria issue, that almost seems to come down to comfort level. We come into contact with bacteria every day, and you have to decide if you're cool bringing a pallet into your home that may or may not be harboring bacteria. People craft with pallets all the time, and I'm yet to run across a story about someone getting sick from doing so.

If you want to make your own tufted pallet ottoman, here's your supply list:

  • reclaimed wood pallet
  • circular saw (if you need to cut yours down like she did)
  • sand paper
  • plywood cut to the dimensions of your pallet
  • hammer and nails
  • pressboard cut to the size of your pallet
  • foam batting that's the size of your pallet's top plus enough foam to cover the 4 smaller sides
  • enough fabric to wrap the pallet completely (don't forget to account for the heights of both your pallet and the batting when you're measuring!)
  • tufting buttons, upholstery needle, and thin cord
  • spray adhesive
  • drill
  • enough batting to wrap the pallet completely (don't forget to account for the heights of both your pallet and the batting when you're measuring!)
  • staple gun
  • wooden legs, mounting brackets, and paint or stain
  • piece of muslin and hot glue to cover the bottom of the pallet (optional)

Whew! That's a doozy of a list, but this is a dramatic transformation! Once you've got your supplies together, click here for the full tutorial!

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, crafting with wooden pallets, DIY, DIY ottoman, Furniture, Home+Decor, Living, pallet craft, pallet ottoman, upcycled ottoman
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04
Jun

Spotted: DIY Bling from Old Magazines!

craftRECYCLED logo

recycled jewelry

Can you believe that this beautiful costume jewelry is made from upcycled magazine pages?

Crafty superstar Mark Montano shared a super awesome video tutorial on how to make your very own 80s-inspired upcycled jewelry from old magazine or catalog pages. You need a few simple jewelry supplies to make your own, so check the materials list below before you get started!

This tutorial makes a whole set of DIY jewelery. To make the complete set, you'll need:

  • an old magazine or catalog and scissors to cut it up
  • needle nose pliers
  • spray paint - spray paint can be nasty stuff, but you can choose Krylon H2o, which is a little bit better. I couldn't find the H2O in gold, but I think that white would look really nice, and still keep that 80s feel.
  • flat-backed beads - Dont' want to buy new? Salvage these from thrift store jewelry!
  • E-6000 - this glue is far from green, but it is durable, which means your finished product will last.
  • earring backings, ring findings, and a blank metal cuff - you can salvage these from thrifted jewelry, too!
  • white glue

Ready to get crafting? Here's the video tutorial!

Posted:   |   Categories: Clothes+Accessories, Craft Recycled, DIY, DIY jewelry, Living, magazine page crafts, paper crafts, reuse, upcycled jewelry, upcycling
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