Robot Sculptures from Recycled Materials
Folk artists around the world make robots from recycled materials – and you can too!
Creative Reuse Trends during Social Distancing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
People are generously making masks and hand sanitizer, teaching art with recycled materials and using up what they have in the kitchen.
Toilet Paper Rolls and Other Cardboard Tubes
You can make just about anything from toilet paper rolls or tubes – get fun activities for younger children, older children and adults.
Social Distancing: 20 Creative Reuse Activities to Do at Home
If you are staying close to home due to social distancing, you can do these creative reuse activities with items that you likely already have at home so you don’t need to go to the store.
Weighted Blankets
Most weighted blankets get their heft by containing plastic or glass pellets but I made one with recycled denim blue jeans.
Tissue Paper Creative Reuse
Most municipal recycling programs do not want your tissue paper – so what can you make with it?
Fundraising with Scrap Quilts
You can fundraise for a cause AND build community if you make scrap quilts that include messages from your supporters.
Mylar Balloons
Mylar balloons cause many power outages and seabird deaths – but you can make a difference by not buying them and creatively reusing old ones.
Exercise Equipment from Recycled Materials
Get inspired to keep your new year’s resolutions about exercise by making exercise equipment from recycled materials.
Vintage Linens and Needlework Creative Reuse
Even if you love the vintage handkerchiefs, pillowcases or quilts that you inherited, what can you do with them?
Plastic Toys Creative Reuse
Get ideas for ways you can divert plastic toys from landfill – either to more children, to artists or to be made into plastic furniture.
Furniture Upcycling
When you see furniture curbside, do you wish you knew a way to bring it back to life?
My Good List
A thing, a habit, a work of art and a philosophy – these are the four items that Tsh Oxenreider asks guests to describe on her podcast Simple. So what are my answers?
Bras Creative Reuse
Whether your bras are gently-used or well-worn, get tips on places you can donate or art you can make.
Sayaka Ganz, Plasticware Artist
Sayaka Ganz makes giant wildlife sculptures from plastic spatulas, hangers, toys and lots of other plastic items, and she’s one of my top 5 favorite creative reuse artists in the world.
Artist Residences at Landfills
If you want unlimited art supplies, one option is to do an artist residency at a landfill or transfer station.
Egg Shells and Egg Cartons Creative Reuse
Many artists work with egg shells and egg cartons. Get inspired to make art and craft from these easy-to-find materials!
Books Creative Reuse
If you have books that no one wants to read anymore – such as out-of-date reference or text books – what can you make with them?
Recycled Art Sculpture Trails
Would you like to attract people to your town to enjoy nature and art? You could organize a recycled art sculpture trail.
Tennis Balls and Rackets Creative Reuse
Each year, 325 million tennis balls are made in the world, but there are many ways to creatively reuse tennis balls and rackets – so get started today!
Rope Creative Reuse
From shopping bag handles to fishing gear, there is a lot of rope that can be creatively reused!
Igloo from Plastic Jugs
We built an igloo from plastic jugs for Maker Faire NoVa and we used a method no one had used before (zip ties!)
Cosmetics Creative Reuse
Since most cosmetics are sold in plastic packaging and contain toxic chemicals, they can be challenging to creatively reuse, so get ideas for what to do with your expired cosmetics.
Bubble Wrap Creative Reuse
Do you have piles of bubble wrap due to online shopping? Check out what some artists make with bubble wrap!
Skateboard Creative Reuse
You likely have a pile of broken skateboards if you love skateboarding but the good news is that many artists creatively reuse skateboards to make awesome stuff. And if you are into woodworking, get inspired to source material from the skate park.