Green Options » recycled craft

Recycled Crafts: Make a Paper Bowl Tutorial

Jamie Ervin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:47:09 +0000

I’ve tried to make bowls using the outside of one as a mold. I like the idea of using the inside of the bowl better. The only trick is to grease up the inside of the bowl so that your dried paper bowl will release. My instructions say to use petroleum jelly, however I am looking for an alternative since I don’t want to use petroleum based products.

Here’s how to make a paper mache bowl.

More Recycled Crafting Fun: Decoupage Canisters

Jamie Ervin — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:00:10 +0000

I decided that the kiddos would make these fabulous decoupaged canisters. We would then fill them with all kinds interesting things.

Idea #1: Fill with little love notes or notes of inspiration and gift, the receiver gets to draw a note out to read anytime they are feeling a bit blue.

Idea #2: Makes adorable wrapping and the receiver can then use the tub to hold all kinds of nifty things.

Idea #3: The kids can use them to store collections of rocks, stickers, leaves, play jewels, whatever…

Idea #4: Two words: Time Capsule

Idea #5: Sharing tub- fill it with a surprise (love note, treasured toy, gift, etc…) then pass it on to a sibling who will do the same in a weeks time. Keep it moving.

Idea #6: Your Ideas? Share in the comments!

How to make these fabulous little tubs-

Handmade Holidays: Upcycled Stockings

Jamie Ervin — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:00:54 +0000

We’ve found a great way to reuse the kids’ clothing, DIY Stockings. Have the kids help you go through their ripped and stained clothing to design the look of your stockings. Then have them help you search for embellishment options. Odd fabric scraps, buttons, beads, patches, lace, ribbon, and appliqués made from other clothing all work beautifully as decoration.

These stockings were made using one pair of holey jeans (size 7 kids), a couple of toddler t-shirt fronts, a brown sheet and some old lace. I’m working on one made with an Asian Silk Kimono Robe. Delicate fabrics (such as the silk from the robe) may require special handling. I use pinking shears to cut and am lining the front and back of the stocking with white fabric from an old bed skirt (the eyelet part of the skirt will become new petticoats for under my daughter’s dresses).