Use up all those craft scraps

A vase made from an old milk carton

Is it just me, or are all crafters hoarders?

Mind you I have no trouble doing regular clean-outs of my wardrobe, my linen press or the kitchen cupboards, but I’m loathe to part with even the smallest material or wool scrap — I just know they’ll comein handy one day and will be just what I’m looking for!

If you’ve got loads of bits and bobs like me that are piling up quicker than you can repurpose them, check out the Easy Projects with Caft Scraps feature.

The 27 projects on offer  include a funky Vase made from an old milk carton and paper scraps, ribbon-embellished notebooks, a cute baby mobile (this one is on my to-do list as I have a new grandchild on the way!), a cool messenger bag made from fabric scraps, a peg board stationary organiser and more.

Hopefully, some of these projects will make a dent in my craft stash, even just a wee bit!

Tags: craft scraps, Recycling

30 craft projects that recycle

A throw rug made from old jumpers

Still on the topic of recycling, the US Better Homes and Gardens site is currently featuring 30 great craft projects using items that you would otherwise throw out in the rubbish or things to make that will save on adding to the world’s landfill.

Projects include a snazzy tote bag that will replace those plastic bags when you go to the shops, a throw rug made from old jumpers, and several ways to make a style statement with old cans.

You’ll find all 30 projects here.

Tags: Better Homes and Gardens, crafts, Recycling

Make beads from junk mail and magazines

I must admit that I am a bit of a ‘greeny’ and I try to leave as small a carbon footprint as I can.

And one of the cool things about being a crafter is that you can often use lots of stuff that you would ordinarily throw out, thereby giving it a new life instead of assigning  it to landfill.

If you want to do your little bit for the planet, save some money and get a craft fix at the same time, you should consider working recycled materials into your crafting, and there’s a way to do it for just about any craft.

One way for beaders to get into recycling is to make their own paper beads. You’ll find lots of how-to videos on making your own beads from old magazines and junk mail on YouTube including the one below, and you can check out lots more here.

There are a variety of bead shapes you can make and the appearance of each bead will be determined by the type of paper and the print colours you choose, so your beads will be different to everyone else’s. You’re only really limited by your imagination.

I’ll post links to other ways you can repurpose no-longer-wanted items as I come across them.

Tags: Beading, paper beads, recycle, repurpose