Search Results for: upcycle

DIY Distressed Starburst Mirror for $5

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This project has been on my to do list for months and months. I finally got around to making a distressed, chippy starburst mirror from recycled paint stirrers and other reclaimed wood I have collected from various discard piles. The hold up was finding a circle mirror, which I ended up finding at Joann Fabrics for just a few dollars. This piece took about an hour to make start to finish and cost under $5!

Pretty amazing when you consider this similar mirror at Iron Accents is $410! If you are considering paying that price for something like this… don’t! Make your own version for way cheaper, and feel awesome about it.

SUPPLIES:

*** NOTE: I used a cordless Ryobi AirStrike Nailer which is not a must have, but makes this project (and most of my woodworking projects) go smoothly and quickly. Work smarter, not harder!

***Oh yeah, and also: The wreath form on top of the mirror is optional. I preferred the project with it, but it looks cool without as well.

10 inch diameter round mirror

E6000

Scrap wood about 12×12 inches

Ryobi Airstrike nailer

Wood Glue

Paint stirrers or other wood scraps painted with your favorite colors (I used Chalky finish paint from Americana) – I cut mine to about the same length with my chop saw. You can have them random lengths or create your own pattern of rays. Lay out your pieces and play with the design until you love it.

10 inch chipboard wreath form or other circle to place over mirror for a more finished look

Wire or other picture hanger hardware

TUTORIAL:

Use E6000 on the back of the mirror to attach it to the 12×12 inch wood scrap. It doesn’t have to be exactly 12×12, but there needs to be enough wood all the way around the circle mirror for nailing paint stirrers to.

Lay out “rays” to determine placement. I did two layers. I applied wood glue and nailed the bottom rays into the 12×12 inch wood with 18 gauge 1/2 inch brad nails in my nailer.

I placed the second layer or rays using the nailer, no glue. I painted the wreath form with “lace” Chalky Finish Americana paint and nailed it to the underlying rays to frame the mirror.

Staple craft wire to the back for hanging and enjoy!

Want more? Visit our 50+ Paint Stick Projects:

50+ Repurposed Yardstick Crafts and Projects

by Johnnie Collier

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Yardsticks aren’t just for measuring anymore. You can repurpose cool vintage yardsticks into some unique upcycled decor, jewelry and accessories. Here are 50 of our favorite repurposed yardstick projects from around the web. If we missed yours, send us a link so you can be included!

Vintage Yardsticks, Vintage Bottles and Playing With Wire	Old yardsticks and rusty hooks	Make Your Own “Iron” Throne
Fall Centerpiece…yardsticks, gourds and a touch of aqua.	The Wall Ruler	Board & Batten: Made from Yardsticks
Re-Purposed Yardstick Christmas Tree	DIY ART -YARDSTICK DEER SILHOUETTE	Rustic tote
Yardstick ornament	GARDENING FOR KIDS {KENZIE%u2019S GARDEN}	Yardstick Table
Rulers and Yardsticks aren’t just for measuring anymore	DIY Vintage Ruler Coat Rack	Vintage yardstick Desk
Make an Upcycled Ruler Frame	orating / Do-It-Yourself Decorating / DIY Home Accents / Crafty Chic Knobslog injoin now	Drawer Organizer DIY
Vintage Yardstick Star	Yard stick basket	Yardstick Christmas tree
This Basket Rules! Yard Stick Basket	Repurposed Tennis Racket with Yardstick wall organizer	Wooden stick jewelry
thrift store value meal	Fathers Day Gift	How To Make A Vintage Inspired Chalkboard
Repurposed Ruler Starburst Mirror	Yardstick stars	Ruler Lamp
Chalk Paint and Yard Stick Serving Tray Makeover	Yardstick Buffet Tutorial	MEASURING UP: YARDSTICKS
yardstick tray	DIY TUTORIAL: VINTAGE YARDSTICK ARROW	Business Cards Holder
common yardstick as picture ledges	Yardstick Wall Art	Yardstick Ornaments
a crate made out of yardsticks…	Ruler Wall Mirror	Stair risers
diy {yardstick backsplash}	Yardstick Tray	You Made That from What?
How-to: Ruler Clutch Purse	Yardstick Stool Project	Vintage Yardstick Tray
Upcycled Yardstick	Clock	Yardstick table

InLinkz.com

Over 50 Things to Make from Repurposed Chair Parts

by Johnnie Collier

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The abundance of curbside discarded chairs in my area has me looking for ways to repurpose old chairs and their parts. Today’s post brings my favorite finds for DIY upcycling inpsiration. I truly didn’t anticipate finding a wreath during my searching on this one, but it happened. Not only that, but it’s pretty cool, I must say. You will see chair back, legs, spindles, even entire chairs given new purpose in some seriously creative ways. Enjoy!

Second Life for a Chippy Chair	Make a Woven Belt Seat	Repurpose Fan Blades to Dragonflies
Chair Photo Display	Chair Back Chalkboard	Dragonfly Made From Chair Legs/License Plates
Chair Spindles to Chimes	Spindle Wreath	Chair Back Photo Display
Legs to Picture Hangers Tutorial	Cheese and Fruit servers	Spindle and Frame Corner Dragonfly
Coat Hangers from Chair Backs	projects with old chairs	DIY Wooden Caddy
Chair to Planter	Dog Bed From Chair	Chair Legs to Fairy Wand
Chair Spindle Tiered Dessert Stand	Chair spindle candle holders	Vintage Chair Jewelry Wall Holder
Antique Tile into a Butterfly	Upcycled Chair to Side Table	Antibes Green Garden Bench
Chair to towel rack	Chair into Sidewalk Chalkboard	wall caddy
Ladder-Back Shelf	Chair Planter	Side Tables
Chair back turned picture frame at All Things Thrifty	DIY Bench Project	Dog Bed From Chair
Special Feeding Station	Legs of Necklaces	triple chair bench
Upcycled Message Center	Chair to swing	Two Chairs to a Bench For Two
Cheese and Fruit servers

InLinkz.com

GreenCraft Magazine Featured Project

by Johnnie Collier

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This is a joyous moment for me. The Fall Aluminum Can Leaf Wreath DIY I shared with you was featured in GreenCraft Magazine! When i got the email expressing interest in my project for this issue, I literally squealed from my bed, where I lay with the then current issue of GreenCraft on my nightstand. It is my go to publication for creative upcycling inspiration, and I am delighted to have my project amongst its beautiful pages.

Check out the issue, and be sure and visit our Recycled Projects Gallery for tons more project ideas using recycled materials!

50+ Things to Make from Cribs

by Johnnie Collier

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Buying a crib can be a big investment, especially for something that is only going to be used for a few years max. Then what do you do with it? Well, you are in the right spot to have that problem solved. Check out the 50+ crib upcycle projects below and be inspired to repurpose your baby cribs and springs into cool furniture and home decor. If I missed your project in the collection, send me the link!

Crib Spring Dust Ruffle = Bulletin Board	Crib Spring to Memo Board	Crib Chair
Crib Spring as Display	Crib Spring to Inspiration Board	New Life for a Crib Mattress Frame
Crib to Wall Display	Pot rack from Crib Spring	Crib to Washi Tape Storage
DIY Crib Board	Ballard Design inspired Drying Rack	Repurposed crib legs table top
From Crib to Wagon	Antique Crib makes Charming Herb Garden	Crib Front to Fabric Display
Crib spring to Decor	Crib Wall Art	Ceiling light fixture from old crib spring
Crib art display	Repurpose an Old Baby Crib	Crib to Bench
Jewelry Organizer	Craft/tool station with wall organizer31	Baby Crib to Bike Rack Conversion
Crib turned Bench	Crib Into Plate Holder	Repurposing a crib as a magazine rack
Creative Station from Crib	Headboard: A Crib Repurpose	Crib to Porch Swing
Turn a Crib Rail into a Bookshelf	Sewing Organization from Crib	Crib Mattress Bulletin Board Podgeable Clips
Repurpose Crib Springs	Turn a Crib into a Bench	Crib Mattress Spring Turned American Flag
Crib to Fairy Garden	Crib to Magazine Rack	Crib to Daybed
Crib Chairs	Crib to Desk	Crib to inspiration board
Baby Crib Spring Repurpose	crib was converted into a daybed	Repurposed Crib Project: Kids Work Station
Crig to Shelf	Crib repurposed to clothes dryer	“Shabby Chic”Crib Stools
Repurposing Crib to Toddler Bed	Crib Repurposed Magnet Board	Upcycled Crib to Quail Coop

InLinkz.com

Make a Repurposed Door TV Console

by Johnnie Collier

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Last week when I shared with you 50+ Ways to Repurpose Old Doors, I alluded to the fact that I had a project in mind for the door I found recently on the curb. It was initially going to be a coffee table, but this t.v. console fit my current needs better, so I made the sides a little taller and here you have it. This project is super easy, free except for the rockin’ 6 inch diameter casters, and you can whip it up in an after noon, stain, sealer and all. I will show you just how to do that!

I found this guy stacked against a dumpster and threw it in my truck! Best day ever.

I brought her home and cut into thirds with my table saw. I just measured and marked so the sides would be equal height. The first step was attaching the two smaller parts for sides to the larger segment (which would become the top of the console). I used my go to connector tool, Kreg Jig. You can read about how to join using Kreg in my DIY Pallet Sign Using Kreg Jig Tutorial.

To finish the building, I cut a piece of plywood to fit as the base of the console, attached the casters which I got at Menards, and added trim from 1×2 furring strips that I mitered.

I recently discovered Minwax Wood Finishing Cloths. Love at first wipe. Dark Mahogany was the perfect color for my living room where this console would be spending its days.

I was actually going to paint this whole thing! I am so glad I went with stain instead. It took me like 5 minutes to do since the door was already stained. I went over it in spots and stained the trim and plywood base. Check out more of my obsession with thoughts on Minwax Finishing Cloths in this DIY Reclaimed Wood Headboard Tutorial!

Old door to console

If you love woodworking and reclaimed wood projects, check out SBLC’s Woodworking Projects Gallery.

How to Make Fabric & Wooden Bead Jewelry

by Johnnie Collier

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I had the pleasure of attending a DIY blogger conference, Haven, in Atlanta over this past weekend. I could write for days about the awesomeness of that whole experience, but that is not what this post is about. While there, my friend Jessica from Mom4Real was sporting a cool necklace that I photographed and knocked off. This is a super fast and easy project. I used a sewing machine, but I will tell you how to make it the no sew way.

SUPPLIES:

Fabric Scraps

Fabric Scissors

Wooden Beads 2 Sizes

Beacon Fabri-Tac

TUTORIAL:

You can use old t-shirts, old sheets, any fabric piece you can think of, really. I used fat quarters and the above picture shows a headband I found at Dollar Tree. The cool thing about using that is it is already a tube, so I didn’t have to sew or use liquid stitch. If you use fabric not already in a tube, just cut a rectangle about 14-16 inches (depending on how long you want your necklace or bracelet). Sew into a tube inside out, then flip right side out.

Tie a knot like above, put bead, tie another knot and continue until it is as long as you like. I use an odd number of beads so there is a central one.

Pick out coordinating ribbon and cut to length you want.

Sew on ribbon to each end or adhere with Fabri-tac. I use clothespins to apply pressure. Fabri-Tac dries super fast and is basically hot glue in a bottle, but not hot 🙂

For some of the bracelets, I just used the end fabric to tie them instead of adding ribbon.

SUPER EASY, and adorable, I must say.

Recycled Plastic Bottle Projects to Make

by Johnnie Collier

There are tons of cool things you can make from recycled plastic bottles, and let’s face it, they are one of the biggest components of our landfills today. One of my favorite projects using them is this adorable DIY apple treat cup pictured above that Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday shared with us last year. I wanted to bring it back in case you missed it since it would be a fantastic back to school teacher gift, or party favor for you fall flings.

For tons more ideas, check out our 50+ plastic bottle projects roundup!

Do you have any projects you have made using recycled plastic bottles that you want featured? Let me know!

How to Make a Wood Pallet Recycle Bin

by Johnnie Collier

I am crazy about wood pallet projects. If you have been here long, you know already know that, and you also know I am equally gaga for creating with recycled aluminum cans. Today’s project combines those two eco-friendly obsessions into a lovely aluminum can recycle bin made with reclaimed wood pallets! The piece is topped off with a cool knob and chalkboard sign. Come see how you can create your own…

SUPPLIES:

table saw

miter saw

Ryobi Air Strike Nailer

tape measure

pencil

square

knob (optional)

2 hinges

broken down shipping pallets or other scrap wood (I use a circular saw to do mine)

HERE IS A GREAT VIDEO DEMONSTRATING HOW TO BREAK DOWN PALLETS (By Ryan Schmitz):

How-to-Make-Wood-Pallet-Furniture

I got the idea for this wood pallet recycle bin from this post at My Carpentry: Wood Waste Basket. I followed the instructions there, using pallet wood instead of fence board. You may have to adjust measurements based on the wood you have on hand.

When I got done, I wasn’t in love with it like I should be for a DIY aluminum can recycle bin hand made from discarded shipping pallets… you know? So I decided to take it up a notch.

That is when I came up with the idea to add a knob, and a framed chalkboard label to seal the deal.

I used these Tim Holtz rub ons to add a vintage grunge number to a white knob I picked up at my local Habitat for Humanity Restore.

I just drilled a hole and screwed into the knob with a flat top screw just long enough to go through the wood and grab the knob.

For the sign, I spray painted a dollar tree frame and glued chalkboardpaper to the back. Then I glued jute to the back of that to form a loop for hanging. LOVE my new storage for cans!

Over 60 Things to Make From Paper

by Johnnie Collier

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Is it just me, or do you all love paper to bits too? I switch mediums and techniques all the time, but paper is a constant. I don’t scrapbook, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at my studio. Piles and piles of decorative paper adorn the shelves, and don’t get me started on the stacks of magazines, newspapers and vintage sheet music. You don’t have to spend any money to make gorgeous jewelry and home decor if you go the recycled paper route. Check out some of my favorite diy paper projects, and share with me some of yours!