Love 2 DIY on the Weekend: Originally Posted on 'katiebyrd'

Oh, What CAN You Do With An Old Tin CAN? 

Ok, so I am always looking for new ways to turn trash into treasure. It seems like we have so many things that we encounter on a daily basis that get discarded or downcycled because of one major thing: lack of imagination. So I went in search of some inspiration for crafty-crafts to make out of all the products we used today. Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking: “You can’t possibly a) remember everything you used today and b) make something super-cool out of everything you used today!!!” Ok, so you’re probably right, but here’s the inspirational collection of items I did manage to find. Maybe try your hand at these or maybe order them from a creative crafty person on Etsy or somewhere:

1. Instead of sitting in our recycle bin, that can of ginger ale P drank (because his tummy hurt) could be…a pair of EARRINGS! Wow – so did not see that one coming:

 

2. Instead of throwing away that old seed corn sack (ok, I am slightly embellishing the truth regarding the products I used today), it could be…a cool market tote!

3. Instead of tossing that old bike tire into the dumpster it could be…a neat-o clock!

4. Instead of putting that old wine bottle out for collection, it could be…an awesomely engraved sign! I do like my glass of red wine at night…

5. Instead of littering the world with old Scrabble tiles, they could be a…cool pendant! This one is really cute, I think. But, for the record, I will NEVER be rid of my Scrabble game–NEVER.

Ok, I’m thinking you get the drift by now. Crafty creative power –> less trash and waste in the world, and cool new things that we can feel good about.

My big contribution to the vision is the simple tin can. What can you do with it? Let me count the possibilities:

1. Poke holes in them (after freezing some water in them) and string them up as mini lanterns. Mine came out horribly ugly, but I’m sure yours will be beautiful…
2. Remove the tops and bottoms and make them into pretty little ornaments like Yours Truly did last Christmas and gave away to everyone. Isn’t that clever? Hmmm
3. Make the tops and bottoms into nifty button pins to go on your market tote – this I have not yet tried, but am still contemplating.
4. Use the ones that have pretty gold coloring on the inside, like mini green chili and olive cans, as fun tea-light holders. OK, pretty idea, but these also get really HOT. Just beware. But they did sparkle oh so nicely on top of the stove at P’s birthday party.
5. ???

Your turn, what else can you do with an old tin can? Actually, are they aluminum now? Got a neat idea? Turn it into a DIY for the weekend!!

katiebyrd is a member of Upcyclers,
an Etsy team whose members Love 2 Upcycle! 
See what she Upcycles in her shops on Etsy: 
 

Meet & Greet : DARNEDideas

After years of only partially giving into her artistic voice, Stephanie gave into it fully and started to create again. Sketch, paint, sew, crochet, knit. Stephanie is a jill of many trades, master of...working on it! She loves learning new things and using all sorts of materials.

Woven Rag Rug Pale Yellow Pink Black Flora

I asked Stephanie a few questions and here is what she had to share with us:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell
Three years ago I graduated college and was unable to find quality work—fair pay, safe conditions, simulating activities, healthy relationships, and so on. All the work I was able to find was intolerably exploitative, degrading, humiliating, and prohibitive of my own creativity and intellect. I started to think critically about the world, reconsidering my place, my impact, my needs and how I satisfied them. It started simple, with food and basic needs, then became an ongoing reconsideration of all my economic dealings. I found that in order to be happy, I don’t need very much. I’ve replaced my mindless consumption with a minimalist lifestyle of using everything and wasting nothing. Crafting is my answer to the rude salute I’ve received from my home society’s work economy. It is also my therapy, allowing me to create function and beauty while confronting and answering the ugliness of the world’s truths.

Working in multi-media, from fiber to paper, I sell products made from “waste stream” materials and/or local and sustainably produced materials. My products reflect a synergy between techniques that interest me and whatever materials I happen to find.

Knit Hat Bright Red with Black Mother of Pearl 

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed materials?
I find myself surrounded by material abundance and gross overproduction that come at a cost we, humanity, cannot sustainably pay: destruction of the planet and its living systems that enable human survival. Most available materials are reliant upon a system that consumes limited, non-replaceable resources as though we created them ourselves, by hand, from scratch. Raw natural resources are used one time, then become problematic “waste”. The effect of so managing natural resources is in the long term suicidal. Regarding crafting, conflict ensued between my newly-adopted values and the contrary values I’d adhered to for a lifetime. I started to rethink the origin of my supplies. I saw potential in things conventionally considered “garbage”, from a well-loved bed sheet to a stained t-shirt to beer packaging. I slowly developed a new discipline of buying as little as possible; I would buy only what I needed and even that, as much as possible, would come from the “waste stream”. There is so much that can be made from these materials when you look at them in a different way. Tilting your head sometimes helps.

Upcycled Men's Tie Purse Green MultiColor Print

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
Community is an important part of healthy economic relationships. Having my etsy shop is giving me the opportunity to work closely with shoppers and crafters in a personal and meaningful way.

GROW FOOD Screened Tote

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
I am inspired to create because I feel that it sharpens my skills, nurtures my creativity, and develops my capacity and flexibility for problem-solving, enabling me to live my life so as to leave the world an improved place. There is so much beauty in the world, often in forms very simple. It’s hard sometimes to see the radiant sky beyond the strip-malls. But, I think taking time to breath, relax and eat a good meal with people you love, inspiration follows.

You can check me out:
www.DARNEDideas.etsy.com
www.DARNEDideas.wordpress.com

Thanks Stephanie for sharing!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired Blog

Year of the Rabbit by Bibliobags

Yesterday marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year. 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit. Even though I was born in a Dog year, I've always been partial to rabbits. As a child, I collected rabbit everything. At one point, I remember having over 40 different rabbit dolls!

I had a baby shower to attend last weekend and what better theme for my gift than a rabbit for a baby being born in the year of the rabbit? I put this little bag together with things I already had around the house.

For the gift bag, I used a brown craft bag. I got out an old rabbit cookie cutter and traced it onto a piece of pink felt. I cut it out and cut out a little heart in the middle. Then I hot glued it to the bag.

Even though this was a simple project I really liked how it came out. I tend to go overboard so this was a nice reminder to keep it simple. The bag and card were a hit a hit at the shower.



For more details about this project and exciting news from Bibliobags, Check out her blog! 

20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Book Purse by Bibliobags

Love 2 DIY on the Weekend: Literally!! from Additions Style

Plan the Perfect Evening Alone

Have an evening all to yourself? Why not turn it into the perfect evening alone.

All you will need:

Pajamas to cozy up in

Your favorite music

Your favorite drink - Take out the good glassware and enjoy your drink in style.

All your favorite junk food (guilt free)

Any movie you want to watch



Add these extras depending on what kind of evening you want:

Relaxed  - a fun and easy to read book.  Something you normally don't have time to read.

Reflective - use your journal and read things you have written in the past and write what inspires you now.

Party - dance around your room in you pajamas enjoying all your favorite music.

Chatty - Grab your phone and a headset and call all your friend and spend the evening gossiping.

This is your night, make it fun, loose, and relaxed. Remember its all about you!








Follow me on Additions Style, where you can be Everyday Inspired! 

 

Meet & Greet: Dent*de*lion

Darya Gardecki owner Dent*de*lion (a french word dandelion which means lion's tooth)  is a stay-at-home mom who's creates toys that are as earth friendly as possible.  She uses recycled sweaters, vintage fabrics, soy paints, and ingio fiberfill which is derived from corn for stuffing, and considers herself well rooted in Mother Earth.

Tomato Harvest pretend felt food

To get to know Darya I asked her a few questions about herself and her business, here is what she had to say:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell
My name is Dasha. My loving family and I live in a little urban town surrounded by woods, mountains, and farmland. I am a stay at home mom, spending my days taking care of my family and sewing toys in my spare time. As a little girl, I lived in Russia. In those days, my family grew their food and lived very simple lives. Now that I have my own family we try to take responsibility for our indispensable Earth and do our share to not only recycle waste, but also to reduce the amount of waste we produce to begin with.

Family

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed materials?
Learning of the increasing amount of textiles disposed of in landfills or incinerated played a role in my decision on material selection.
An amazing fact from www.youthxchange.net
- If everyone bought one reclaimed, woolen garment each year, it would save an average of 300 million gallons (about 1,135 litres) of water and 400 tones of chemical dyes.
All my toys are made as earth friendly as possible. I upcycle sweaters and vintage fabric into new items. I focus on using sustainable and recycled material.

Echinachea Flower bobby Pin

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
Being a part of the vast network of talented people.

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
My inspirations comes from my children, nature, and my surroundings.

“ Everything and everyone around you is your teacher.” – Ken Keyes

Marine Life Fishing Game 6 piece set

Share with us where we can find you on the web

shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/dentdelion
facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Dentdelion/120886067970323
blog: http://dentdelion-dentdelion.blogspot.com/
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/toothoflion

Thanks for sharing with us, Darya!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired Blog