Posts tagged ‘upcycling’

Okay, well… not exactly with me (although I’m open to discussion on that matter!). With my hand made Pine Cone Fire Starters. That’s what’s been on ThornesTable lately.

I’m making a fresh batch today. I think I’ll blend the magickal oils for the new batch for relaxation and comfort and security. I’m going to call this blend “Peaceful Home”, and tint the wax blue.

These things are great if you hate to mess with crumpling paper or ugly, smelly pressed wood and wax starters. It only takes one cone to start a roaring fire, and besides… they look awesome sitting in a basket next to the fireplace until you use them up!

I’m upcycling like a mad woman these days, trying to piece together some fun items for sale, while using up the wealth of materials I have around here. One of my recent projects was this purse made from a pair of tan jeans. I made 3 more small ones, but still have to finish the hand stitching and beads, before I take pics. Not bad, really. 4 bags out of one pair of jeans and a kid sized shirt.

Doing a bit of stained glass as well. Just finished this custom order for a friend who is sending it to a family member in Hungaria!! I’m excited. I think that makes about 8 countries that ThornesArt has traveled to.

Drop me a comment if you’d be interested in How-To’s on any of these projects, n I’ll see if I can get them up.

Right now though, It’s nap-time in Thorne’s World. Too many late nights and early mornings makes Thorne a grumpy grrrlll.

Peace, out!

I’ve got some cool links for you today. Get creative and make a lil space in the Land Fills while you’re at it!

1) Repurpose your old crayon bits (Great fun for the kids!)

2) These lamps made from plastic trash rock! Find photos at the artist’s etsy shop and the How – To at her blog!

3) At Storque Handmade Life you’ll find a whole slew of creative uses for “junk”!

4) How about some lawn furniture? A great chair made from a pallet!

5) Maybe turn old clothes into stylish new fashions? Girl Reconstructed has some great ideas!

6) This Momma to be is making adorable onesies out of vintage T-shirts.

7) Some awesome ideas (and some instruction) for some very chic wall art made of magazine pages. I like these a lot, and the concept could be applied in several ways. Hmmm….

8) I can think of many ways to combine these newspaper spirals… hot plates are only the beginning!

9) Oh, oh!!! This is a recycled recycled idea! Remember those chevron style chains made from stick chewing gum wrappers? (I had one that was at least 20 feet long!) How about using starburst candy wrappers to make them? Bright colors and too much fun!

10) These Spa Slippers made from an old pair of beach thongs and a towel are what I call some tootsie comfies!

11) Cookie Sheet Calender, or Advent Calender.

12) This paper yarn, spun on an old fashioned drop spindle, might be even cooler than plarn! I gotta try it!

13) I would SO do this if my ceilings weren’t so darned low! Check out this hanging pot rack made out of a bicycle wheel! Image here, How – To here.

Well, that was fun! Head on over to Thursday Thirteen and tell um Thornie sent cha… err… check out a whole bunch of TT-ers!

Peace, out!

A couple weeks ago I wrote a list of fantastic junk to use in mosaics. Before we get into attaching some of the more randomly shaped items of various materials (which can get a lil tricksy if you don’t want your parts falling off randomly and for no apparent reason), I thought I’d give you a step by step how-to on a small project to get you started.

I know you have some old pots around that are just too worn and ugly to use, but still too serviceable to break up for planter-bottom-drainage. Maybe you are wanting to change the color scheme of your patio or porch and are feeling guilty about your secret desire to just say “To hell with being green! I want new STUFF!” Maybe you’re broke, like me! Maybe it has simply never occurred to you that you can have “new” stuff by giving a makeover to old stuff! In any case, this is a great way to give a facelift to a worn out old terra cotta planter (and with just a couple small changes works on plastic planters, too)!Click on the thumbnails for a larger view, or watch the flickr slideshow at the bottom of the post.

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