The Ultimate Guide to Crafting with Recycled Materials

Imagine turning everyday items destined for the landfill into beautiful, functional pieces that add charm to your home and reflect your unique style. By embracing the art of upcycling, you not only unleash your creativity but also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Welcome to A Wandaful Thing! I’m thrilled to share my passion for repurposing, recycling, and reducing waste with you. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to the charm of thrifted and vintage items, finding joy in reimagining everyday objects into unique treasures. Crafting with recycled materials not only allows us to express our creativity but also contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Why Craft with Recycled Materials?

Embracing recycled materials in our crafts offers numerous benefits:

Environmental Impact: By giving new life to discarded items, we reduce landfill waste and conserve valuable resources.
Cost-Effective: Utilizing materials we already have or sourcing from thrift stores keeps our crafting budget friendly.
Creative Expression: Transforming diverse materials challenges our creativity, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect our personal stories.

Getting Started: Sourcing Materials

Our homes and local thrift stores are treasure troves of potential crafting materials:

Paper Products: Old newspapers, magazines, and books can be transformed into papier-mâché art or decorative accents.
Plastic Containers: Repurpose bottles, caps, and jars into planters, organizers, or artistic displays.
Fabric Scraps: Turn worn-out clothing, linens, or fabric remnants into sewing projects, patchwork designs, or handmade ribbons.
Metal Items: Cans, bottle caps, and foil can be crafted into sculptures or used as decorative elements.
Thrifted Finds: Explore second-hand stores for unique items like vintage vases, picture frames, or furniture pieces ready for upcycling. Interior designers often source living room items from thrift stores to save money and find distinctive pieces. They recommend purchasing secondhand books to add character to a space, and vessels like vases and bowls for both decorative and functional purposes. Ottomans and stools are also popular for their versatility and potential for easy refurbishment. Even slightly worn pieces can be revamped with some cleaning or reupholstery. Silver and brass decorative accents, such as candlesticks and jars, add patina and charm to a living room and can be easily styled or stored.

If you need a bit more inspiration on decorating with vintage books check out THIS blog post by Sweet Pea (featured photo).

Project Ideas

Here are some inspiring projects to kickstart your recycled crafting journey:

1. Cutting Board Tablet Stand

Repurpose an old cutting board into a functional tablet stand for your kitchen. Attach a small ledge near the bottom to hold the tablet and a support piece at the back for stability. This stand keeps your recipes accessible while cooking and adds a rustic touch to your kitchen decor.

Here is the type I want to make, I would use a thrifted or vintage cutting board though – full tutorial on the blog Salvaged Life

2. Egg Carton Picture Frame

Repurpose an egg carton into a unique picture frame. Cut and paint sections of the carton, then assemble them around your favorite photos for a rustic look.

3. Fabric Scrap Dip-Dye Ribbons

Use leftover fabric to create dip-dyed ribbons. Cut fabric into strips, dye them in your chosen colors, and use the ribbons for gift wrapping, hair accessories, or decor.

Supplies Needed

strips of white cotton sheeting and/or sheer fabric*
acrylic paints
fabric medium
water
foam brush
surface to work on (old towel, cardboard, etc)
paper towels
something to hang ribbon from to dry (I used a clothes hanger)

How To:

Mix acrylic paint with water
Lay ribbon down on flat surface
Brush paint onto fabric
Iron to set
Hang to dry

Tips for success:

Don’t bother ironing fabric first, the wrinkles will be removed as the fabric gets wet while painting it.
Make sure to make enough paint so you don’t run out and have to mix more halfway through.
If you find the dyed fabric is too dark, you can run the strips under water to remove a little more paint. This also applies if the fabric is drying very stiff

4. Chair Rungs into Wall Hooks

Salvage rungs from a broken chair to create unique wall hooks. Cut the rungs to your desired length, sand, and paint them. Mount them on a piece of reclaimed wood or directly onto the wall to hang coats, bags, or accessories, adding a rustic charm to your space.

5. T-Shirt Yarn Plant Hangers

Upcycle old t-shirts into yarn for crafting macramé plant hangers. Cut the shirts into strips and stretch them to create continuous strands of t-shirt yarn. Use basic macramé knots to design plant hangers, giving your greenery a stylish and eco-friendly home. For more creative ways to use old tshirts check out southernliving.com

6. Silver Spoon Jewelry

This is not a new idea and I know several artisans that do this – yes you can transform vintage silver spoons into unique jewelry pieces. Cut and bend the spoon handles into rings or bracelets, and polish them for a shiny finish. These accessories carry a touch of history and make for great conversation starters.

I believe in supporting local and shopping Canadian – check out this website if you are in the market for a new piece of repurposed silver jewelry. Her name is Callista and she lives in Western Canada.

Tips for Successful Recycled Crafts

Clean Materials: Ensure all items are clean and dry before starting your project.
Plan Ahead: Sketch your design and gather all necessary tools to streamline the crafting process.
Safety First: Use appropriate protective gear, especially when cutting or painting materials.
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new techniques or combine different materials.

Share Your Creations

Ready to embark on this eco-friendly crafting journey? Gather those forgotten treasures and start transforming them today. Share your creations with us using the hashtag #AWandafulthingrecycledCrafts, and let’s inspire each other to make sustainability a delightful adventure!

Warmly yours,
Wanda, xo ✂️🧶

The Ultimate Guide to Crafting with Recycled Materials

Why Craft with Recycled Materials?

Getting Started: Sourcing Materials