Think Green

Green is no longer just a color, but a way of life that artists and crafters have embraced. It’s easy to go green in your creativity by just being more aware of your projects and supplies. More and more creative people are creating projects that are utilitarian or practical in use. For example we are seeing more functional items being made like aprons, pot holders, jewelry, plates, glasses, and clothing. Items that have a more use than just sitting on a shelf or being placed in a hall closet!
 

Supplies are being considered carefully. Non-toxic to the environment with containers that can be recycled or repurposed. Heidi Borchers (www.heidiborchers.com), an eco-artist from California creates beautiful flower pins from aluminum soda cans and charming bracelets from plastic pop bottles. She believes in repurposing materials that might otherwise end up in our trash dumps. She recently authored a book, Green Bling Turning Bottles into Bangles published by Leisure Arts. Her jewelry is upscale and you almost have to look twice to realize what you are looking at used to be a soda bottle.
 

Many of the tools you see used by eco artists and crafters are seeing a second life rather than being pitched in the trash. Did you know there are at least 10 crafty ways to use an old toothbrush? Check it out here. Plastic bottle caps are used as molds, paint palettes, or seed bead holders. You just never know what can become a favorite tool of an eco artist.
 

Treasures from trash is not a new idea, but its resurgence is important. I’ve found some of the best ideas and projects for green crafting and listed them here for you to enjoy.
 

10 Ways to Craft with Old Sweaters

10 Ways to Reuse and Recycle Trash for Crafting

14 Things to Do with Old Jeans

Green Crafting Gift Wrap Bow

How to Naturally Dye Easter Eggs

Recycled Newspaper Beads

The Right Yarn For Green Knitting

Top 10 Recycled Magazine Crafts