Crafty Ways to Recycle for Earth Day!

- Bubble mailers: I get these in the mail all the time and I reuse them to send my own mail out. I like to cut the large onesinhalf and use to mail two small items.

- Fed Ex/UPS Overnight Boxes: I cut these up into different sizes of squares, from 4x4" down to 1/2". Why? I use them as my "pop dots" in my shadow boxes, shrines, greeting cards, etc. They work great for layering images for a 3D look. The boxes are awesome because they are so smooth.

- Leftover wrapping paper: During the holidays, I always buy way to much wrapping paper. You know - the five rolls for $5 kind? Now I use it for packing boxes. Not only is colorful, but it is very sturdy.

- Extra glitter: Pour the excess glitter from your projects into a separate container - the mixed version is very pretty! you can use it on future projects!

- Paper clippings: Save them in a jar as well, you can use them as stuffing for gift baskets or gift boxes. Same with your shredded paper.

- Save pages that you printout (MapQuest, travel itineraries, article drafts, etc.) and use them as your sketch paper. Save all your sketches in a binder!

- Paint bottles with a little bit of paint left: If they are acrylic craft paints, add water and shake them up. Great for watercolors, spray bottles, spritzing, tinting cotton fabric.

- Pretty boxy shopping bags from department or gourmet stores: Staple the backing against the wall in your craft room so you can have extra storage to hold lightweight, oversize items like rolled up posters, prints, yarn, etc.

- Empty thread spools: Use to hold yarn or embroidery floss remnants.

- Cereal and other food boxes: Hello! Perfect for when you need lightweight chipboard!

- Old dishtowels: Put up a towel bar to hold these, so you won't use paper towels in your studio.

- Unwanted beads and findings: Pour them in a glass sun tea jar and use as a door stop.

- Corny fabric you don't like anymore: Dip or tie dye it to give a new look.

- Extra fabric: Make a cushy pillow for your craft area chair!
Go be shiny,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING