How to Make Free Recyclable Crafts

Whether you are looking for a gift to create that will save you money or a way to cut down on your personal waste, there are several household items you can use to make cute crafts. These items can be gifted for any occasion you wish. There are all kinds of items laying around the house you can use that you probably never even thought of. Here I'll list many of the craft projects you can do with common items and give a source for finding more of such, which you can create anytime as well. The variety of things you can do is practically endless, limited only by one's imagination. Crafting is fun and can make for a family effort, children especially love making things to give to others. There are tons of things you can create with paper and cardboard that you have at home. Old blue jeans can be used to make anything from organizers to household items. Cds and vinyl records make for helpful items for organizational gifts. All of these ideas along with instructions and supplies lists can be found at www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/.

If you have tons of paper products or cardboard taking up space, there are other things you can do with it in order to make use of the items. Believe it or not, dog and cat food bags make wonderful totes. To make one of these, take a sturdy dog or cat food bag and clean it thoroughly, cut the top of the bag to the desired height, then fold over 1/4 inch hem and sew it, then use the scrap pieces of the bag to cut two three inch wide strips for handles, fold those over for a clean edge and sew them onto the bag where you want them. This makes a very efficient tote bag, which can be used to carry anything heavy, especially items to take along for your pets. Old gift bags can be reused and made new by gluing fabric, colored or designed paper, pictures, and the fronts of greeting cards onto them. This is an extremely customizable project and simple for kids to add their drawings or messages to. Wine boxes, cereal containers, or any other box can be used to make magazine holders. You can measure to the height you want, cut it, and then decorate for fun.

Old blue jeans don't have to go to waste even if they have lots of holes and fading. A unique journal can be made by using a pant leg, button, and pocket from a pair of jeans to cover and decorate the book. The legs from pairs of cut off jeans can be used to create a pocket organizer for a hobby or shop area. You can cut off the pockets of jeans and add lace, ribbon, craft paint, beads, or glitter to make a cute purse for a young girl that she will love. It makes for a different gift, and can be customized in any way with a name or even a photograph. Taking old jeans that are too short and cutting them to 3/4 length so that they become capris is a new twist on reusing them. Pockets also make great organizers for the fridge when magnets are added to them for holding coupons or memos.

Old cds and vinyl records often end up in the trash when they have outlived their usefulness. However, they can be used to make all kinds of practical items. Cds may be used to make a letter holder for keeping any type of paperwork together. All you need is some styrofoam to place them into for each side, some glue, and whatever you would like to decorate it with. Making a bowl from an old record is easy, just place it on top of an heat safe bowl in a 150 degree oven, warm it for approximately five minutes, remove from oven, turn bowl right side up, and then shape and press the record to your liking. Either cds or records make great coasters, and you can decorate them with paint or fabric.