Top 10: Recycled Projects I Like

Changed my Top 10 icon. If you know me, you probably think that this icon and my current theme are funny. I’m not a huge fan of pink, but I guess if the spirit moves you … then pink it is.

So - Today’s Top 10. One BIG part of the young DIY/craft movement that’s been bearing down upon this country is the prominence of reused and recycled materials. Everyday I am amazed by the things that people have found to remake and reuse and refashion. Some of it is awesome, some of it is not - I saw a re-imagined muumuu on Etsy the other day that I’m not all that sure was a good idea. But this post is about things I thought were good ideas.

I think that the reuse/recycle goes really well with DIY/craft because both of these ideas tend to push away from consumerism. Although I’m in favor of reusing, recycling, DIY and crafting (obviously), I don’t take it to an extreme. Being a consumer is fine with me and indeed necessary, as I am not a stay-at-home anything, and I don’t really have the time or energy to make as much stuff as I might like. In addition, I learned from my grandmother, who used to make practically everything for her family, that a total lack of consumerism is really wearing on a person, and irritating, when you have no choice about it.

However - I know that I value my stuff more if I have gone to the trouble of making it myself. I also know that having certain kinds of things that I insist on making myself - like home decor - leads me to have less stuff because I have to find the time and make the effort to get it. I also find that when I shop at garage sales, thrift stores, antique stores and the like I happen upon more interesting and unique items, things that have stories and histories. When I make stuff, I always end up with more unique items, of course. And in all cases, I typically spend less money. Plus, I don’t like to be wasteful of money and goods or be ecologically unfriendly - more lessons I learned from my grandmother.

Here we go with the best recycling projects I’ve seen lately:

10. Have an old pot? Make a sculpture. I think these examples are new kitchenware, but I’m pretty sure the beat-up ones that are now lacking their non-stick surface will work just fine.

9. Need some inspiration? Try Ben Hawkins’ gallery of art features creations made from junk! Trash no longer! (the fish, left, is his creation)

8. My husband and I are coaster-users and nerds, which is why we like these coasters made of recycled bits of motherboards.

7. Try a glass-top side table made from dollar store items, including GI Joe figures.

6. It’s been featured elsewhere, such as on Craft and Curbly, but I think this Vintage Belt Floor Mat from Sustainable Design for Living is one of the best re-use projects I’ve seen. I’m not sure about paying 648 clams for it, but if you could figure a way to DIY, how awesome!

5. Starry Starry Night - This won my attention because it was not only made from paper scraps saved from the school year, but the materials will be recycled again later. See more recycled student art at their website.

4. Make travel accessories from scrap material. I love am obsessed with bags, travel items, etc., so I’m going to make myself a set before I go on my next vacation Also, I want to mention a favorite blog of mine that’s all about projects created entirely out of scrap material: the lovely Craft Leftovers.

3. Next up is glass jewelry made from recycled bottles. I echo Treehugger when I say that I like the contrast of ecologically friendly artist with a product of some very big businesses. And I’m happy to see she was approached by those businesses in the first place!

2. More jewelry next - this time made from old typewriter keys. I love the vintage look of these.

1. My quilt. Sorry, it in fact IS my favorite, after the time and effort I put into it! It was my first completely finished quilt. It counts as recycled because (1) much of the fabric was throwaways, odd ends and sale stuff because it was damaged. I salvaged it! and (2) About 2/3 of it was curtains for a while in my house. Those were taken apart and became panels for el quilto.

I should really color correct that picture, shouldn’t I? I promise it ’s quite pretty.

Hope you have enjoyed - Cheers, Miriam