Go Green with Handmade Ornaments Made from Recycled Goods & Keep the Kids Busy for HOURS!

You don't have to be an art major to come up with these creative cuties. I've been making ornaments from upcycled and recycled goods for some time now, and wanted to share this with you as:

a) It's a great way to keep the kids busy.

b) It's a wonderful way to keep junk out of the trash and out of the landfill.

c) It's an inexpensive way to make that special car decoration, gift tag, or holiday ornament for someone special

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:

First you need to gather up any objects laying around that you don't need. In my example, I've found some old poker chips, jump rings (or you can use old jewelry parts), old magazine ads, my button maker, paper clips, discarded ribbon, and cardboard. You can skip the whole jump ring step if you don't have access to a dremmel.

You will need some regular school glue or Elmers glue and then also some heavy duty glue (Parents will do this, as kids will assemble the rest something like E6000), and if using a jump ring, a dremmel with small attachment to drill a hole thru the poker chip. If you don't want to use a jump ring (or hoop for hanging) you can simply hang it by attaching ribbon thru a paper clips. Get a cheapier paint brush for the kids to decoupage the front with the Elmer's glue.

DECORATE THE FACE: (KIDS LOVE THIS)

I've taken old poker chip and adorned it with vintage ephemera images that I hand pressed into a button maker. You can put anything on the front---decoupage it up, use something out of an old children's book, or simply cut something out of a magazine. Kids can draw a very small picture, usually 1.25" round, or decorate with old buttons or glitter. If you are making something for your sister, and she loves dogs, use the front of a dog food label for a cute image of a cuddly pooch. Great creative and use your imagination. Remember, budget is zero for these bad boys! Boys love to cut up old baseball cards and affix their favorite star on the front! Kids can use regular school or Elmer's glue to affix these items to the front. After the glue is dry, have them take their fingers or a paint brush and glue over the entire frontal area to create a gloss like finish. The Elmers will go on hazy but should dry clear and thick. A second coat may be needed.

IF YOU ARE USING JUMP RINGS: (PARENTS)

You would drill a small hole in the top of the poker chip to hang the jump ring. Be careful if you are using the newer composition type poker chips as shown, as they tend to have metal inside. Crimp the jump ring accordingly. I use 10 to 12 mm gauge.

NEXT STEP and IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE JUMP RINGS:

Assemble your paper clips on the back with glue. Spread them out and use small, large, colored, or vinyl coated. After putting a blob of super duty glue, cut out a cardboard circle on the back so you can cover up the area where all the paper clips come together. This is also a great place where you can write a personalized note, or a TO/FROM area.

RIBBON/CORD: (KIDS)

Affix this thru the jump ring or thru the paper clip. Anything you have lying around will do, I've even used old bead necklaces, shoe strings, yarn, clothes line cord, or colored rubber bands. Affix thru the jump ring or thru the paper clips when dry.

After your chip is fully dry, it makes a great:

CAR ORNAMENT

STOCKING STUFFER

PACKAGE DECORATION

BIRTHDAY ITEM

HOLIDAY ORNAMENT

TEACHER GIFT

ONE OF A KIND COLLECTIBLE!

Crafting on a dime, using recycled goods, and keeping the earth green is one of the things I'm big into. See more of my designs for more crafting ideas at Retro Chalet Studio on Etsy.