Button Jewelry
These button jewelry items were designed by my mom Gloria Brown as part of the Family Nature Summit program in 2009.
Halloween Welcome Mat from Upcycled T-shirts
I weave two kinds of rugs from unwanted t-shirts. One type uses the body and sleeves of the t-shirts. The other uses the collars, cuffs and waistbands. The goal is zero waste in t-shirt recycling. Check out this Halloween rug – orange and black stripes – from t-shirt collars, cuffs and waistbands. The loom is
Reversible Necktie Quilt – Two Sizes of Hexagons
This quilt is made from upcycled neckties. What makes it unusual is that the front and back are made from the same neckties – in two sizes of hexagons.
Necktie Quilt – Triangles
This quilt uses up the scraps from my previous navy blue necktie quilts – be sure to use up your scraps!
Build an Igloo from Plastic Milk Jugs
This video tells the story of how my family built an igloo for a Maker Faire in 2019 from about 400 plastic milk jugs.
Weave a Fluffy Rug from T-shirts
If you have a lot of unwanted t-shirts, this is a great way to make a super-soft fluffy rug from them.
Year of the Dragon Quilt – Made from Upcycled Kite
I made this quilt to upcycle a kite and now it represents my excitement about becoming a high school teacher!
How to Refresh Chairs with Denim Seat Covers
Are your chairs looking a little scruffy? I made new seat covers for two of our dining room chairs from upcycled blue jeans.
Upcycling my Wedding Quilt
In 1997, I sewed a quilt to display at my wedding ceremony but I didn’t love the design, so I have upcycled it into items I love more.
Upcycle Broken Tent Into Playmats or Quilts
I upcycle a child’s tent into play mats or wall hangings.
Recycle Ties into a Quilt – Second Design
This quilt is a complementary project to my first necktie quilt because it uses up the narrow sections of the neckties.
How I Weave Old Socks and T-shirts Into Rag Rugs
I weave old socks and t-shirts into rugs – this helps me use up the t-shirt components that cannot be used in my fluffy rugs.
How to Make Bags from Recycled Food Packaging
In this tutorial, I share how to make fun bags from plastic packaging such as frozen strawberry bags, dried fruit and nut bags, juice pouches and more.
8 Items You Might Not Creative Reuse
Trashmagination is all about encouraging you to creatively reuse found items and recyclables to make art. However, some materials can be hazardous to your health if you don’t take precautions when working with them.
Hair and Pet Fur Creative Reuse
Can you creatively reuse natural or synthetic hair?
Gift Wrapping from Recycled Materials
Many people wrap gifts in brown paper bags or fabric, but that is only the start of ways you can wrap gifts without creating trash.
America Recycles Day: Recycling Celebrations Around the World
Around the world, there are recycling celebrations in many countries. How could you celebrate recycling this November?
Art from Trash After Hurricanes and Tornadoes
After natural disasters, there are piles of trash as people clean out their ruined homes and possessions. Some artists transform those discarded items into art.
Car Seat Recycling
It’s very challenging to find a place to recycle your child’s safety car seats. But Target is partnering with Terracycle to accept car seats during National Child Safety Passenger Week (only until September 23!).
Take-Apart Events and E-Waste
When was the last time you took apart something that was broken – either to fix it or just to be curious? Get tips on how to run a successful take-apart event – either at home or in your community.
My Creative Instagram Inspirations
These Instagram feeds are providing a lot of creative energy to me these days for rug hooking, weaving, quilting, embroidery, drawing and interesting craft business models.
Washed Ashore Exhibit at Smithsonian National Zoo
This incredible exhibit of 17 sea creatures made from beach trash is one of the most impressive creative reuse endeavors I have ever viewed.
Maker Faire 2016 in Reston, Virginia
Inspiring Trashmagination artists made items from recycled glass, fiber and playing cards.
To Future Nen Daiko Apprentices
Ten tidbits of advice based on things that surprised me during my apprenticeship
Becoming an Official Nen Daiko Member & Preparing for Obon Festival
After nine months of intense learning, we three apprentices survive an intense weekend of evaluations and building performance stages – but also yummy ramen and many laughs.
- 1
- 2