What crafts do you make from recycled materials?

I have turned several cans in to a nice desk set for one of my nieces for college. Used some left over material to cover the outsides. Then bought some pretty pens and pencils to place in them. I took that same concept and made hair tie storage containers for another niece's bedroom. I used fun fabric that I had left over from another project. She still uses them. I took an old picture frame and turned it into a serving tray. Just attached a couple of inexpensive door handles on each side, came up with a pretty design, replaced the glass with some clear plastic. The tray made a great wedding gift for a friend. When a sweater gets a hole, or hasn't been worn, I will take it apart and reuse the yarn to create other fun items. For example, I have made purses, scarves even a new sweater from the material. I've used ties that I got from the thrift store and made a quilt from them. I have also used bed sheets and turned them into really pretty curtains. I have taken the plastic shopping bags that we all end up with from the different stores, cut them up made my own type of yarn and created new and very strong shopping bags. I have fun with this project all the time, coming up with ways of incorporating other plastic items like disposable table clothes to add another element of color. The sky is the limit and the craft ideas can flow when I look at a recycling bin.

I would say all of my quilts are recycled since I buy my materials from yard sales, have it given to me, or buy it from second hand stores. Otherwise, I crochet with t-shirts and with plastic bags. I need to get busy and really get some things made. Marsha

i make my own paper out of junk mail. i have added seeds to it or sometimes not. i use the paper to make book marks and gift tags.

I use a lot of old magazines in my art, and many of my paintings are a combination of paper and paint. Some people sell their magazines from the 60's, the 70's or the 80's and I like to buy them, so that I can get the pictures. I usually try to combine the pictures in a funny or unsual way, and sometimes I combine old pictures and new pictures. I also use some of the pictures in the cards that I make. My cards are much smaller than the paintings, but I make the same kinds of pictures.

basically papier mache sculpture is the area that i recycle in the most., but have a collection of plasic carrier bags to make into shopping bags and beach rugs ., when time permits.. have made out door light holders from tin cans and taken wooden pallets and made theminto fences and decking.. using stones made made mosaics for out doors too , recycling from throw away out of skips with permission.... using tea shirts made bath mats and door stoppers/draft excluders and rugs.. used large milk bottles as planters as the high sides keep seedlings protected and can cut away as they gro and when hanging on wall all bunched together make a good display., recycle jumpers that won't unravel to make cushion covers, and "patchwork" blankets scarves hand warmers depending on size., use clean odd socks to make little dolls and aliens and monsters depending on colour and size.... use drift wood to make flower arrangements dug up a root recently, it is now sanded and sitting on my book shelf sculptural piece. use yoghurt pots for painting and putting under the roots of summer out door plants so it creates a reservoir so they dont die.. and so on and so forth... best wishes x

I'm currently crocheting another rag rug, and i've crocheted totes from plastic shopping bags (plarn) also coasters, and little baskets.

I've made braided rugs, quilts, napkins, potholders and a lot of odds and ends from old clothes. I have ripped out sweaters and reused the yarn for other sweaters or houseshoes. I took an empty, round oatmeal box, covered it with yarn and use it to hold my knitting needles... things like that.

I am making things from wallpaper books.....and also newspaper purses....you line them with clear contact paper and sew them together...also use cans...paint them and decoupage things on them...did some with a garden theme and put garden gloves and little garden tools in them.

the only direct recycling ive done is to reuse my plastic bags. But before i used to make lanterns with recycled materials.( the one that you will put a candle inside)

I love to make things out of reusable items that most would throw out. I have made jean quilts with open seams that ravel when washed. I like knit t-shirts to make rugs. Cut strips, braid and make oval rugs. I make crazy blocks sewn on dryer sheets. They look good as quilt blocks. Sew into grocery bags. I knit & crochet. Plastic bread wrappers can be made crocheted into rugs for outside the door. Popsicle sticks for plant labels.

I do I make things like bird houses out of them or bird feeders. I also think it is good for the environment