Does anybody upcycle stuff?

[bagheera86]

Hey guys~

I was wondering- Do any of you up cycle anything? like plastic jugs, or old cleaner/detergent bottles? I'm volunteering for a fb community that is trying to get started, trying to promote adoption rather than shopping for pets and in hopes to become a voice for carers/fosters to provide them with support and training.

They were recently discussing things to sell, so I thought why not this up-cycle craze that's suddenly become very popular? But whenever I google things I get massive structurs of elephants or various things made from plastic bottles... Nothing that we could sell online haha  !

So does anyone have any favourite web sites with DIY's or projects that I can look at to see if it's maybe something I can do?

[Tiggums6]

Great idea! *sits back and waits for someone to show up*

[Eviecorn]

Hmm... I've done it with recycled clothing.  I used to paint shoes and boots from the thrift store and sell them.  I dunno if that's what you're talking about, though.

[bagheera86]

Hmm... I've done it with recycled clothing.  I used to paint shoes and boots from the thrift store and sell them.  I dunno if that's what you're talking about, though.

Anything inexpensive to do and I won't need a health and safety thing for <3

[melodys_angel]

What about trinkets or jewlery? I know someone used tabs from cans and made jewlery out of it.  Looked like chainmail^^

[bagheera86]

What about trinkets or jewlery? I know someone used tabs from cans and made jewlery out of it.  Looked like chainmail^^

Oh? do you  have the site?

[kaoskat]

I've seen baskets woven from strips of newspaper and my MIL makes purses out of plastic grocery bags that are kinda neat.

[StoryDreamer]

People make cool notepads and journals out of recycled cards and cassette boxes, etc.

http://thinkgreenlovepurple.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-recycled-notebooks-gift-idea-1_02.html

http://roziyunos.blogspot.com/2009/03/tutorial-greeting-card-recycled.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2258612_make-cassette-case-notebook.html

Explore wonderhowto and find more ideas!

http://tag.wonderhowto.com/diy-cassettes/

http://craftycupboard.blogspot.com/2012/08/diy-notepad.html

[BerryMouse]

I upcycle bottle caps for my jewelry crafting =)

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[starrypawz]

Can tab bracelets? I remember someone making those ages ago;
http://kaykaykit.deviantart.com/gallery/?q=bracelet#/d9t4s2

Tutorial is there.
Hmmm I dont' think I've ever done it personally, unless you count holding onto old tubs and stuff to use as pen pots.

[LeighAnnApanites]

Here are a few tutorials I've seen online for some cool things that might work.

This is for flip flop hangers that look like they couldn't be easier (or cheaper). You might want to check with Jen before you sold them, but I'd bet she'd be ok with it to help animals.
http://www.epbot.com/2011/04/hows-it-hangin-flop-tutorial.html

These are cool and easy and you could do just about anything with the fused bubble wrap. I used the technique to make wings for a custom pony, even.
http://www.epbot.com/2012/06/icy-earrings-from-bubble-wrap.html
http://www.epbot.com/2012/06/bubble-wrap-bracelet-rainbow-shells.html

I've been wanting to try this for a while, I just can't find the #6 plastic. It looks fun, easy, and you could do just about anything with it as well.
http://rustsunshine.blogspot.com/2012/04/shrinky-bracelet.html

Good luck! And keep us posted!

[banditpony]

I love when people upcycle wooden pallets. @__@ When I get my own house, I am making a table out of pallets in a chevron pattern.

I actually use pinterest to get ideas for upcycling. ^^ http://pinterest.com/mafaldaq/materials-to-upcycle-plastic-bottles/

http://savedbylovecreations.com/2012/07/50-plastic-bottle-crafts-to-make.html

[Shlugh]

I'm currently upcycling unwanted show rosettes into Christmas cards for charity. Like this.

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Another easy one is to use glass paint (the pen style ones are dead easy) to decorate used glass jars as tealight holders.

S xx

[bewilderness]

I've upcycled clothes before.  T-shirts make great armwarmers.

Here's a few links of things I've found:

Produce bags:  http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2011/05/greeneasy-knit-produce-bag.html
Plastic bottle plant thing:  http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/4965018/post245518732/
Painted stick keyholder:  http://adalouvintage.blogspot.com/2012/03/link-love-4-diy-projects-i-love.html
Pop top chainmail:  http://bagntell.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/pop-top-chainmail/
Bed in a bag (this is a retail site but you could probably make something similar by sewing together pillowcases from the thrift store):  http://www.gltc.co.uk/bed-in-a-bag//gltc/fcp-product/10000002595
T-shirt belt:  http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2011/08/braided-belt-tutorial.html

[Katika]

Are you on Pinterest at all?  It seems like there are THOUSANDS of ways to upcycle toilet paper/paper towel tubes into art pieces.  I've never looked into any of them, but they pop up on there quite often!

Also, since the holiday season's coming up, maybe you could consider ornaments for trees?  I've seen quite a few of them made from items like burned out light bulbs and peanuts and almonds and things like that