Sustainable Craft Corner
At Sustainable Bebe we embrace the creativity that comes with trying to create function out of materials that would otherwise be wasted. We invite you to email us with your ideas that engage your children, awaken your own creativity, or save the dumpster from yet another piece of "garbage."
Bottle Cap Magnets
If you are anything like me you get frustrated that big plastic bottles can be reclycled but their lids cannot (turns out they jam up the recycling machines or something). Thankfully they can be made into adorable fridge magnets!
Start by wrapping the sides of your cap in leftover ribbon, twine, yarn or paper. Use hot glue or other type of glue to set ribbon in place. Then search the fridge or junk drawer for those thin ad magnets that we rarely use. Cut the magnet to the size of the bottom of the cap and glue in place.
Finally cut out an unused photograph, design from a greeting card, etc. Glue the photo onto the top of the magnet and you are done!
Tin Can Organizers
This project couldn't be simpler, can be made with what's lying around, and is very useful! Start with a clean can that was opened with one of those safe edge can openers. SAFETY NOTE: Do NOT make this craft with a can with a sharp edge, or the kind of can with the pop off lid which has a sharp inner ring--I found this out after slicing my finger.
Next find some extra fabric lying around. I used some I found in a box from a craft I had made years ago. Cloth napkins, shower curtains, and tablecloths even if slightly damaged are still worth holding onto as they can be used for these types of crafts. Cut the fabric so that it completely covers the can, with a little extra on all sides.
Using a hot glue gun (or a sewing machine) "hem" the edges of the fabric. Next glue the fabric lengthwise on the can, then the bottom. On the top you will have excess that you will fold into the can and glue in place. You can stop here or continue decorating with what is lying around. I chose some beads that I had intened (many years ago) to make into jewelry.
Finally find some old carstock, cut to size and slip in the can to make it look more finished. Mine are sitting neatly on my desk holding business cards and my checkbook!
These could also be used as adorable cookie tins come the holiday season. Just make sure to wrap cookies in wax paper so that they don't get a tinny taste.
Cardboard Box Desk
This project was inspired by a lovely and strong box used to transport our groceries from Costco. It was originally an orange box I think. I couldn't help but think this box already looked quite functional as a desk.
My daughter and I decoupaged it with Mod Podge and left-over floral wrapping paper. I cut out a slightly larger leg opening with an exacto knife and we hot-glued four legs onto the inside corner of each box using left over wood trim. We finished it by hot-gluing some pieces of eyelet trim.
It has been several months and it is still as strong as ever. It is easy to move from room to room and I am not worried about it getting ruined by markers and other materials not always safe in the hands of a three year old.
All in all it is a great-looking piece, took only a couple of hours to make, and is highly functional. Best of all we had fun using our creativity saving this box from a landfill.
Coasters made from scrap cardboard and left-over fabric
Ok folks, it doesn't get much easier than this. Cut out several pieces of sturdy cardboard in the shape of squares. Cut fabric scraps to size (about 1/2 and inch larger than the cardboard). Hot glue (or some other glue) pieces down, carefully folding each corner. Glue a piece of felt, or maybe a flat thin piece of cardboard (trimmed with pinking shears in possible) to the bottom. Voila! Instant coasters. And the great thing is they just might match your pillows!
Puppet House
Ok this is pretty cute. Many variations could be made on a similar concept. Use what you have and who knows what you can create!
Start out with a medium to large sized box (I used one that was about the size of a computer paper box). Turn box upside down (so you can see the seam)and cut out the top 2/3.
Next step: Decorate! Paint the box in fun colors. Adorn with doodads and left-over crafty things lying around. Cut a small dowel to size so it just fits as a drapery bar.
Make cutesy drapes (I made mine with, yes, the glue gun).
Hang the drapes and voila!
To make puppets cut out people or animals from extra photographs and glue to popsicle sticks!
Clamshell Trinket Box
This is a fun and easy way to put those clamshells to use after dinner.
Start out with a medium to large clam shell (the sturdy kind). Break it at the seam and with sand paper gently wear down the dried up part that once held the clam together, sanding a little bit into the shell. Paint the inside with opalescent white paint, and the outside whatever color you like.
After it is dry, take a miniature hinge and hot glue (or other type of glue) the hinge where the natural hinge used to be. Let dry. Now decorate the inside with a message for a loved one, or a photo.
We gave my mom this as part of her Mother's Day gift and she loved it!
