Craftster features a number of vinyl record mini totes, including this rendition. Unlike so many other record recycling projects, this purse doesn’t require you to heat the vinyl, but it does require a power tool or two. Although it’s … Read More...
Arizona Tea Jewelry
Don’t you love it when half the work is already done for you? I’ve seen a smattering of jewelry made from beautiful Arizona tea can artwork, and Etsy member Little Libelle (so far) has filled her entire shop will Arizona … Read More...
Etsy Trashion Sale
The Etsy Trashion street team is hosting Save the World Sunday, a major sale event and celebration of all things recycled and handmade. The first Sunday was yesterday, Nov. 25, but you still have next Sunday, Dec. 2, to enjoy … Read More...
Upcycled Wallpaper Journal
Ever wonder what wallpaper outlets do with their giant books of wallpaper samples? Unless the store owners are packrats, they toss them out when the wallpaper manufacturers send them new books. I love heatherlea’s simple wallpaper journal, which has a … Read More...
Circuit Board Creations
Whether you embrace the inner geek in you or not, you’re sure to appreciate (new Etsy member) Debby Arem‘s jewelry, magnets, office supplies and accessories made from used circuit boards. I’m especially fond of her sun catchers, which she … Read More...
Salt-and-Pepper – Recycled Film Canisters
Although upcycling empty film canisters may soon be a thing of the past, here’s a sweet-and-simple modern take on salt and pepper shakers made from canisters. They’re available from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) store for $35, but — … Read More...
Make a Homer Doughnut
Dadcando.com is a site dedicated to fathers, especially single fathers and non-resident fathers who have contact with their children. The site includes lots of hands-on practical projects that dads can cook, make and do with their kids (although it’s not … Read More...
Super Ugly to Super Awesome
This month’s Craftster Challenge once again caters to the mind and talents of the recycled crafter: The Super Ugly to Super Awesome Challenge asks that you spend $20 or less at a second-hand store on a super-tacky, super-ugly, super-revolting object … Read More...
Connect Four Photo Framer
Steven James, owner of macaroni and glitter, created a charming Connect Four Photo Frame and Calendar for Craftster’s monthly challenge of transforming an old board game into something new. (Alas, this wasn’t the winning entry, but it is in … Read More...
A New Kind of Bottle Cap Craft
Burned out on bottle cap crafts? Then maybe you haven’t seen this: Kawaii Crafter of zakka life presents a unique take on bottle cap functional art in her understated but artsy bottle cap bowl, made from the colorless plastic … Read More...
Vinyl Record Rings
Laura Beamer‘s bottle cap jewelry featured in yesterday’s post, Bottle Cap Beauties, briefly mentioned her stunning vinyl record work, but I think they deserve a post of their very own. Shown are her popular and stunning vinyl rings, … Read More...
Bottle Cap Beauties
Laura Beamer transforms used bottle caps into top-of-the-line bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pendants and rings. She’s a collector of bottle caps, which explains the out-of-the-ordinary ones you’ll find in her jewelry.
On her collecting habit she writes, “Family, friends and acquaintances … Read More...
What the heck?
Are you the type of person who likes to save everything “just in case”? Or do you find yourself buying interesting doodads at a second-hand shop or garage sale that you know will work swimmingly in a project, although at … Read More...
Recycled Greeting
Micol (pronounced “Michael” and rhymes with “recycle” ) Day of recyclemicol offers a great tutorial on transforming greeting cards (or cardstock you have on hand) into pillow gift boxes that would make Martha proud. Be sure to check out her … Read More...
Magazine Coasters
By using coasters, coffee or water rings on your favorite magazine covers are a thing of the past — or are they? These adorable recycled coasters, complete with rope trim, are made entirely from used magazine pages. The San … Read More...
Truly Feminine Notebook
No post-consumer cardboard packaging is off limits for Ivy Lane Designs, home of “crafty-licious, one-of-a-kind, insta-collectibles,” which offers a boat-load of nicely crafted notebooks and journals made from discarded boxes. Most of the notebook covers are made from cereal … Read More...
Sweet Stuff at SweetyPrize
Catherine of SweetyPrize is one versatile gal. If she’s not crocheting, she’s decoupaging. If she’s not decoupaging, she’s paper-crafting. And if she’s not paper-crafting, she’s beading.
A good portion of her items she sells on Etsy are made from recycled … Read More...
Tin Can Jewelry
Jennifer from Made From the Heart at Etsy does a smashing (yuk, yuk) job of transforming used tin cans into stylish jewelry. I’m particularly fond of her sun-shaped Coke pendant ($7), shown.
Jenn shared with me how she started making … Read More...
Sports Jersey Tote
Sorry if I seem to be on a totebag kick — there are just so many good ideas out there. This fine tote tutorial comes from the imagination of Tiffany of RePlayGround. Perhaps the best built-in feature of this … Read More...
Modern Green Lantern Ring
Marianne Kirby of Once Upon/Reclaimed Whimsy (at Etsy) fashions some unique accessories, including a handful of gorgeous gear rings, which are typically accented with stones or beads. This ring, Gear Ring 5 ($18), is made from a salvaged gear part, … Read More...


