Clean up a local park and save the recyclables for crafts.
With so many people making an effort to be greener, it is not surprising that there is high demand for crafts made from recycled materials. Using recyclables to produce desirable objects, such as photo frames and jewelry, is an excellent way to cut production costs and utilize an endless resource. Aside from having hours of fun for almost no cost, you can make a positive statement about how easy it can be to live greener.
Instructions
Paper Mache
1. Let your neighbors know you are collecting old newspapers.
Cut your newspaper into strips roughly 1/2- to 1-inch wide. (Although newspaper works best, you can use any porous, nonglossy paper for this craft.)
2. Mix two cups white glue with one part water in a bowl. You may also purchase premixed paper mache paste from an art supplies store.
3. Soak a handful of paper strips in the paper mache paste.
4. Use the strips covered in paste to build a sculpture. Many people will use a balloon, bowl or wire frame to give the initial shape to their project. Consider making a mask, fruit bowl or free-form sculpture.
5. Consider using a high-gloss finish on your projects.
Allow the paper mache project to dry for two to three days, then paint as desired and seal with acrylic spray.
Bottle Cap Pins
6. Bottle caps come in a variety of colors.
Wash a bottle cap with soap and water to remove residue. Be sure that the cap dries completely.
7. Some bottle caps have humorous designs.
Decide if you wish to display the image on top of the cap or design your own on the inside. If you design your own image, use small drawings, magazine cutouts and paint to decorate the cap. Seal with acrylic spray or decoupage paste.
8. Apply hot glue to the plain pin backing and affix it to your cap. Allow glue to dry before wearing. (You may substitute super glue or Gorilla glue for hot glue.)
Recycled Beads
9. Ask neighbors, coworkers and doctors' offices for old magazines.
Cut strips from the inner pages of a magazine. Cut each strip diagonally to form two elongated triangles that when pieced back together make a rectangle.
10. Roll the strips around a toothpick. Beginning with the widest section of one strip. wrap the strip around a toothpick to make a bead. You may need a small amount of glue to hold the final layers down.
11. Apply decoupage paste to the entire surface of your magazine bead. Allow to dry and then remove from the toothpick. Make multiple beads at once to save time.
12. Be sure to wash your tabs thoroughly.
Use your recycled beads in a bracelet, necklace or keychain. Add soda can tabs as charms.
Tags: acrylic spray, around toothpick, decoupage paste, design your, mache paste