Category Archives:DIY

21
Jan

Art Activism: I art as I act, and I act as I art

Art Activism: Work by Asher Jay

Artist Asher Jay talks about art activism and how she's using her creativity to change the world.

Confession: I am a big fan of my friend Asher Jay's art activism. I've written about her work before:

Jay recently gave a talk at TEDxVailWomen about art activism, what inspires her, and creative conservation. She talks about her own journey to art activism through pain and grief, and it's incredibly inspiring.

As artists and crafters, we have so much power to effect change. We can do that by choosing sustainable materials and by creating works that effect positive change. Asher Jay's work in the world of art activism is a wonderful example of how you can use your creativity to make a difference. I admire her work so much, and I loved getting to know her even better through her TED Talk.

You can check it out right here:

"Art empowers me to act in this world."

Amen, sister!

I also love what she has to say about bad design. Products like single-use plastic bottles represent the worst of bad design. Asher uses art activism to shine a light on areas where we are consumers can change our habits to make a powerful impact on the world.

What inspires you to get active? Asher can point to one salient moment: the BP oil spill. Was there a moment like that in your life?

Image Credit: Screenshot from video

Posted:   |   Categories: Activism, Art, art activism, Asher Jay, craftivism, DIY, Innovation
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21
Jan

Art Activism: I art as I act, and I act as I art

Art Activism: Work by Asher Jay

Artist Asher Jay talks about art activism and how she's using her creativity to change the world.

Confession: I am a big fan of my friend Asher Jay's art activism. I've written about her work before:

Jay recently gave a talk at TEDxVailWomen about art activism, what inspires her, and creative conservation. She talks about her own journey to art activism through pain and grief, and it's incredibly inspiring.

As artists and crafters, we have so much power to effect change. We can do that by choosing sustainable materials and by creating works that effect positive change. Asher Jay's work in the world of art activism is a wonderful example of how you can use your creativity to make a difference. I admire her work so much, and I loved getting to know her even better through her TED Talk.

You can check it out right here:

"Art empowers me to act in this world."

Amen, sister!

I also love what she has to say about bad design. Products like single-use plastic bottles represent the worst of bad design. Asher uses art activism to shine a light on areas where we are consumers can change our habits to make a powerful impact on the world.

What inspires you to get active? Asher can point to one salient moment: the BP oil spill. Was there a moment like that in your life?

Image Credit: Screenshot from video

Posted:   |   Categories: Activism, Art, art activism, Asher Jay, craftivism, DIY, Innovation
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16
Jan

5 Reclaimed Wood Projects

Reclaimed Wood Projects

Have you been on the lookout for reclaimed wood projects? Check out these awesome ideas!

Some of the reclaimed wood projects on this list use pallet wood while other call for other unconventional sources of wood, like old bedroom doors. Of course, the list below is just the start when it comes to reclaimed wood projects! Here are a few from our archives that you might also like to try:

The important thing to keep in mind when you're planning your reclaimed wood projects is that you want to be sure your wood is truly reclaimed. If you snag a wood pallet from behind a store, for example, and the store was going to keep using it, you're not reducing waste. It's only upcycling if you're giving something a new life that would have otherwise been landfill-bound, right?

5 Reclaimed Wood Projects

This list of reclaimed wood projects doe a great job of offering you options for each project, so you can work with what you have. Check it out:

Reclaimed Wood Projects

graphic via Jarrimber

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, crafty reuse, crative reuse, DIY, reclaimed wood, recycled wood, reuse, upcycling
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09
Jan

5 Upcycled Home Storage Ideas

DIY Home Storage

Need some help getting organized in the new year? Check out these DIY home storage ideas!

Sure, you can hit the big box store for shelves, bookcases, and storage boxes, but those commercial solutions come with a big carbon footprint. When you create your own home storage from reclaimed materials, you're doing double service to the environment. Not only does your DIY home storage have a lower impact than the sort produced in a factory and shipped all over the world, but you're also keeping waste out of the landfill.

craftRECYCLED logo

5 Upcycled Home Storage Projects

  1. Bike Frame Shelving - Did your bike bite the dust? Turn the frame into hanging shelving !
  2. Dresser Drawer Shelves - Go vertical for efficient storage made from old dresser drawers.
  3. Burlap Coffee Sack Box - Instead of baskets or soft boxes, turn an old coffee sack into a pretty home storage solution,
  4. Vintage Suitcase Drawers - Did you pull the drawers out of a dresser to make shelves? Replace them with vintage suitcases! Bam!
  5. Crutch Shelves - I love a ladder shelf, and I love this ingenious one made from an old pair of crutches even more!

Have you made any cool upcycled home storage solutions? Tell us about them in the comments!

Image Credit: Crutch Shelf photo via Mamie Jane

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, crafty reuse, DIY, DIY home storage, DIY shelving, home storage, reuse, upcycling
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07
Jan

Spotted: Vertical Storage from Old Dresser Drawers

Vertical Storage from Dresser Drawers

If you live in a small space, storage is at a premium. Vertical storage is a great solution for fitting more stuff into less space!

Just like vertical gardening, vertical storage takes advantage of height to help maximize a small area. Store-bought vertical storage solutions can be a little bit pricey, but when you make your own from reclaimed materials you save money and reduce your environmental impact! Bing, bang, boom!

I love these sweet vertical shelves that Samantha at the Douangphilas made out of salvaged dresser drawers. She ran across these empty drawers at a Habitat Restore, and it's surprisingly easy to find drawers without homes. So many folks leave old dressers out by the side of the road, and the outside gets ruined, but the drawers are sheltered and remain intact.

Keep an eye out for dilapidated old furniture, because even if you can't salvage the whole thing, this tutorial shows that you can even use parts to make something wonderful.

craftRECYCLED logo

To make your own vertical storage from old dresser drawers, you will need:

  • old dresser drawers
  • damp rags, to clean your drawers
  • paint and paint brushes
  • sandpaper
  • fabric or contact paper
  • coat hooks and screws (optional)
  • long screws to mount the drawers to the wall

Ready to make your own vertical storage? Click here for the tutorial!

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, crafty reuse, creative reuse, DIY, DIY decor, DIY storage, reuse, upcycling, vertical storage
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02
Jan

5 Ways to Craft with Old Windows

greenhouse built from salvaged windows

There are lots of fun ways to craft with old windows! Here are five of our favorite projects.

Whether you're replacing the windows on your own house with more efficient ones or you stumbled across an old window in your travels, there are many ways to reuse these relics than tossing them in the landfill! Check out these project to craft with old windows and keep them out of the waste stream!

1. DIY Dry Erase Board - Glass makes a perfect dry erase surface, so it's a snap to turn an old window into a message board to keep you organized.

2. Build a Greenhouse - If you're looking to craft with old windows and you have quite a few of them, you can turn them into a greenhouse and grow food all year long.

build a reclaimed raised garden bed

3. Window Garden Bed - Don't want a whole greenhouse? You can also use old window frames to create a raised garden bed.

4. Window Chalkboard - With just a few supplies you can turn a salvaged window into a chalkboard!

5. Picture Frame - Check out this awesome technique for using a window to frame large prints.

Do you like to craft with old windows? I'd love to hear about what you're making in the comments!

Image Credits: Window Greenhouse by oviddawen, Raised Garden Bed from video tutorial

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, craft with old windows, crafty reuse, creative reuse, DIY, window crafts
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31
Dec

Window Crafts: Make a DIY Dry Erase Board

Window Crafts: DIY Dry Erase Board

We love window crafts, and this simple DIY dry erase board is a perfect way for you to get organized for the new year!

Bonnie - one of the writers I work with at Crafting a Green World - created this sweet upcycled dry erase board using an old window that she found, and I love the simplicity of it! She used her board to write a sweet saying, but you could use yours as a to-do list or even to keep track of your groceries and reduce food waste.

The genius of this project is that a window is basically already a dry erase board! A dry erase marker will wipe off of glass almost as easily as it does off of proper a dry erase surface, so there's no need to treat the glass at all.

craftRECYCLED logo

This Crafting a Green World window craft doesn't require sanding and painting, but if you want a more modern look you can grab some medium grit sandpaper and zero VOC paint to refresh the window that you're using. To get clean lines, use masking tape to cover the glass and remove any hardware before painting. A vibrant jewel tone or fresh coat of bright white would look great!

Once you're painted - or not! - you just need to gather the short list of supplies that Bonnie calls for and make your dry erase board! Here's what you'll need:

  • an old window
  • recycled paper
  • glue or tape
  • a dry erase marker

Got your supplies handy? Head over to Crafting a Green World to get your window crafting on!

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, crafting with windows, crafty reuse, creative reuse, DIY, reuse, upcycling, window crafts, windows
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19
Dec

Pallet Crafts: Make a Tea Light Holder

Pallet Crafts: Tea Light Holder

Pallet crafts are such a fun way to keep waste out of the landfill, and this tea light holder is beautiful in its simplicity!

A lot of pallet crafts call for a lot of special materials, and what I love about this one from our friend David Quilty at The Good Human is that you really don't need special tools or woodworking skills to make this candle holder. The finished project has a rustic look, so even if you're using a hand saw, you'll end up with a very nice-looking candle holder when it's all said and done.

I know, I always talk about this when I talk about pallet crafts, but it's so important! When you're sourcing your pallet, you want to be sure that you're using one that's headed for the landfill. Don't just nab a pallet from behind the local big box store. Make sure you pop inside and ask. If they don't have any pallets that are being discarded, ask them to contact you when they do have one. You're saving them money on disposal fees, so don't be shy about asking!

craftRECYCLED logo

This simple project only requires a few simple tools and supplies. You will need:

  • A wood pallet
  • A way to cut the pallets to size - David used a miter saw, but you can also use a hand saw if you're patient
  • Wood glue
  • Spade or hole drill bits
  • Wood clamps
  • Sand paper
  • Tea lights

That's it! Just a few basic tools, and you're ready to get crafty. David has detailed instructions, including plenty of images to help you along the way over at The Good Human. Click here for the full tutorial!

Posted:   |   Categories: Craft Recycled, crafty reuse, creative reuse, DIY, pallet craft, pallet craft project, pallet crafts, reuse, upcycling, wood pallets
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17
Dec

E-Waste Jewelry: Creative Upcycling

E Waste Jewelry

Artist Marcele Godoy creates striking jewelry from reclaimed e-waste.

E-waste is a huge environmental problem. When we toss out old electronics, they eventually decompose in ourlandfills, leaching toxins into the ground water and polluting the surrounding soil. E-waste recycling is a little bit better, but unfortunately not all discarded electronics get recycled.

Godoy makes a powerful statement about the problems with e-waste with his new upcycled jewelry line created from discarded computer cables, cords, plugs, and wires. Right now, the line is exclusively of necklaces, but he's planning to expand into other creations.

E Waste Jewelry

The line is simply called "elle," and the jewelry is a personal project. Godoy is a Chilean grad student studying here in the U.S., and he observes:

I am surprised by how quickly multiple objects are considered garbage and you can easily find them on the streets every day. I have collected objects many times to reuse them in projects or for personal use. This is because they are generally discarded for a better, a nicer or a newer one, and not because its useful life is over.

Rather than let those objects go to waste, he reclaims them and turns them into striking pieces of jewelry. How's that for craftivism?

You can view more photos of Godoy's jewelry on his website and check out some of his other beautiful design projects.

h/t: Moco Loco

Posted:   |   Categories: Clothes+Accessories, Craft Recycled, crafty reuse, creative reuse, DIY, e-waste, e-waste crafts, e-waste recycling, electronic waste, Living, upcycling
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05
Dec

4 DIY Wreath Ideas from Reclaimed Materials

DIY Wreath Tutorials

Are you decking your halls? Check out these tutorials for making your own DIY wreath without a toxic Styrofoam wreath form.

Making a DIY wreath is pretty simple if you start with a wreath form as your base. The problem with store-bought wreath forms is that most of them are made from Styrofoam, which is kind of an environmental nightmare. Styrofoam is a petroleum product, and every step of its production process is harmful to the environment. The end product is no picnic, either. It off-gases toxins into the air, which is terrible for your home's indoor air quality.

There is not much that is holly or jolly about that!

That's the bad news. The good news is that you don't need Styrofoam to make your own beautiful DIY wreath to decorate your door or hang over the mantle. Check out these tutorials instead!

DIY Wreath Tutorials {Styrofoam Free!}

1. Nature Wreath

Who needs toxic Styrofoam when you can create your DIY wreath using natural materials that you gather yourself? This would be a fun project to get the kids involved in, too. Head out to the park to search for just the right branches, berries, acorns, etc to make this project your own.

2. Vintage Ribbon Wreath

Reclaimed cardboard replaces the Styrofoam in this DIY wreath tutorial. I made this wreath for my door back in 2011, and we've been using it every year since.

3. Vintage Button Wreath

You can follow this DIY wreath tutorial exactly to make a wreath-style ornament or scale it up to make a full-sized wreath, if your stash of vintage buttons will allow it.

4. Book Page Wreath

Got a book that's falling apart? You can turn it into a gorgeous wreath! I love how designer Lisa Storms used a pretty paper punch to create such a finished look.

Have you created a Styrofoam-free DIY wreath to decorate your door? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Posted:   |   Categories: DIY, DIY wreath, DIY wreaths, how to make a wreath, styrofoam
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