Reader Question: Non-Toxic Paint for Wooden Toys
Which of these DIY non-toxic paints and wood sealants would YOU use on a child’s toy?
Reader Question: Non-Toxic Paint for Wooden Toys Read More 👉
Fab Fabrics: Hemp/Organic Cotton Prints from Sara Lee Parker Textiles
Sara Lee Parker Textiles is an Athens, GA-based company that creates hand screen-printed organic textiles.
She was also featured in the Georgia edition of Southern Living Magazine this June, so if you live in Georgia, check it out! Parker runs her textile company with her husband, and she was kind enough to do a little Q&A with us about what she does, why she does it, and what working so closely with your husband is like.
Fab Fabrics: Hemp/Organic Cotton Prints from Sara Lee Parker Textiles Read More 👉
How To: Upcycle Candle Holders into Colorful Organizers!
Do you remember my Upcycled Candle Holder into a Mini Easter Basket post? Well, I decided to give my candle holders another makeover so that I could use them daily, instead of once a year. Grab your candle holders, candle jars, or any small jar that you may have, and transform them into colorful organizers!
How To: Upcycle Candle Holders into Colorful Organizers! Read More 👉
5 Projects to Give Your Old Silverware New Life
Do you have any mismatched silverware at home? Perhaps you’ve found some beautiful silverware at a thrift store before. Put all that beautiful silverware to good use with these amazing and unique projects!
Reminder: Enter the Green Crafts Showcase
Each month, we Crafting a Green World hosts the Green Crafts Showcase, where you guys can submit your eco-friendly craft projects! At the end of the month, we choose our faves and share them right here. Here’s how to enter!
Reminder: Enter the Green Crafts Showcase Read More 👉
How-to: Another Way to Remove Labels from Glass Jars
You think you don’t have time to do a good job to get all the paper and all the glue completely off of your glass jars, but you really do. My method for removing the sticky labels from glass jars takes about twenty minutes, but you can do it with as many glass jars as you have, all at the same time. Gather up a big collection of jars that need to have their labels removed, and you can do the job in far less time than it would take to peel the labels off by hand.
How-to: Another Way to Remove Labels from Glass Jars Read More 👉
Review: The Lil Blue Boo Recycled T-Shirt Sienna Dress Pattern
The Lil Blue Boo Recycled T-Shirt Sienna Dress is written to be used with upcycled T-shirts, and because of this, it has some real advantages over conventional sewing patterns.
Review: The Lil Blue Boo Recycled T-Shirt Sienna Dress Pattern Read More 👉
Could the Farm Bill Legalize Growing Hemp in the U.S.?
If you had told me that I’d be talking passionately about the 2012 Farm Bill on a crafting website, I would have never believed it, but a recent proposed amendment to the monster bill could have a big impact for green crafters by making it legal to grow hemp in the U.S. But will it pass?
Could the Farm Bill Legalize Growing Hemp in the U.S.? Read More 👉
How To: Eco-Friendly “Sparklers”
Have you seen this Fourth of July post from Martha Stewart? I absolutely loved the red, white, and blue pom-poms she used to decorate the buffet table for the Fourth of July, so I decided to make my own eco-friendly version!
How To: Eco-Friendly “Sparklers” Read More 👉
5 Creative Ways to Upycle Old Books!
We’ve done several projects before with book pages, but what about the entire book? My degree is in English so I’m obsessed with books– especially vintage/antique books that have tons of character. They’re such a beautiful and simple way to decorate! Here are 5 ways you can give an old book new life!
5 Upcycled Gift Wraps for Dad
Father’s Day is just around the corner. Now that you’ve found that perfect gift for dad, let’s wrap it up! I love upcycling newspaper and brown bags for gift wraps because they’re so readily available around the house. For this Father’s Day, instead of putting a bow on your upcycled gift wrap, let’s spice it up for dad with things he loves.
How-to: Recycled Paper and Scrap Fabric Business Cards
These sewn business cards, which utilize two layers of scrap fabric, a recycled paper base, and your complete business information, are a little more work than your ordinary business card, but they’re beautiful, eco-friendly, quite thrifty, and they’ll certainly stand out in a crowd. Here’s how to make them:
How-to: Recycled Paper and Scrap Fabric Business Cards Read More 👉
How-to: Make Recycled Paper Business Cards Using Your Sewing Machine
Even though it’s a little more work to create these particular business cards, made from colorful paper and stamped and embellished, they offer a lot more impact than your ordinary card. And since these business cards are made entirely from recycled paper and cardstock, they’re also eco-friendly and absolutely free.
How-to: Make Recycled Paper Business Cards Using Your Sewing Machine Read More 👉
Clean Cotton: 16 Organic Cotton Resources
I talked on Wednesday about more of the trouble with conventional cotton, but don’t fret, my fellow seamsters! There are plenty of organic cotton resources out there to help you sew cute without any green guilt.
Clean Cotton: 16 Organic Cotton Resources Read More 👉
How To: Eco-Friendly Father’s Day Tie Pot
Last week on Pinterest, I came across an adorable Tie Pot from Make It and Love It. I thought I would make my own eco-friendly version using an empty coffee can and newspaper. This tie pot has so many possibilities and is the perfect gift for any dad! Let’s get started!
How To: Eco-Friendly Father’s Day Tie Pot Read More 👉
5 Adorable Ideas for Father’s Day!
Father’s Day is right around the corner on June 17! Instead of spending money at big box stores, make your gift extra special by making it yourself! Here are 5 adorable ideas to get you started.
Dirty Cotton: Indian Cotton Farmers Devastated
We’ve talked about the dirty side of cotton here before. Conventional cotton is an issue that’s really close to my heart, so when I read the latest battle between big ag and Indian farmers, I thought I’d share it here.
Dirty Cotton: Indian Cotton Farmers Devastated Read More 👉
How-to: Recycle Crayola Markers
You CAN recycle most of a Crayola marker. It’s messy work, and it’s time-consuming, but it’s also a great lesson for kids (and for us!) about the obligations of responsible consumerism.
How-to: Recycle Crayola Markers Read More 👉
How-to: Sew a Soothing Scented Buckwheat Eye Pillow
For headache or stress relief, or just a nice, long nap, an eye pillow weighted with natural buckwheat and sewn from soft fabric is just the thing you need to help you really relax. You can fill your eye pillow with your favorite herbs, sew it from silk or organic cotton, store it in the freezer to keep it soothingly chilly, and make a few extras to give as gifts later on.
How-to: Sew a Soothing Scented Buckwheat Eye Pillow Read More 👉
5 Washi Tape Craft Projects
Need some crafty washi tape inspiration? We’ve got you covered!
5 Washi Tape Craft Projects Read More 👉
DIY Father’s Day Gift Idea: Eco-Friendly Tool Box Gift Card Holder
Well, tomorrow is June 1st and you know what that means– Father’s Day is right around the corner! Is your dad just too hard to shop for? Most of the time, we get my dad a gift card because we’re just not sure what to get him. I know that sounds boring, but gift cards don’t have to be boring! I saw this paper tool box pin on pinterest this week and thought, “I bet I could make one of those to hold a gift card!” Dress up your gift card with this adorable eco-friendly tool box gift card holder!
DIY Father’s Day Gift Idea: Eco-Friendly Tool Box Gift Card Holder Read More 👉
This Weekend: Atlanta’s Indie Craft Experience
Fellow Atlantans, are you ready? The Indie Craft Experience is this very weekend!
This Weekend: Atlanta’s Indie Craft Experience Read More 👉
Sew Two Pairs of Shorts from One Upcycled T-Shirt, Tute #2: Capri Shorts from the T-Shirt’s Body
In my first tutorial, I showed you how to sew a quick-and-dirty pair of kid shorts from the sleeves and shoulders of an upcycled T-shirt. This tutorial requires a little more sewing, but the shorts are also a lot cuter and, depending on your kiddo’s height, they could be made to be as long as capri length.
Sew Two Pairs of Shorts from One T-Shirt, Tute #1: Comfy Shorts from Upcycled T-Shirt Sleeves
Using one XL T-shirt, you can sew two pairs of shorts for any size up to your average early-elementary kid. Your kiddo will be so comfy in her soft jersey-knit shorts, she’ll love the awesome appliques taken from the T-shirt’s front, and you will have clothed her quickly and cheaply for the win.
Read on for the first tutorial in this two-part series: how to sew your first pair of shorts using the sleeves from your upcycled T-shirt.
DIY Beauty: Homemade Lip Balm with Herban Crafts
Former CAGW writer Karen Lee and green beauty pro Mary Kearns have teamed up on a brand new endeavor: Herban Crafts. The duo is creating eco-friendly craft kits for folks who want to make their own beauty supplies but don’t know where to get started. Herban Crafts was kind enough to send me a kit to try out, so earlier this week I tried my hand at making my own lip balm.
DIY Beauty: Homemade Lip Balm with Herban Crafts Read More 👉
How To: Music Wall Art
In a few weeks I’m moving into a rental home with two other roommates. We’re all musicians, so it’s a no-brainer that we’re going to have lots of musical items/instruments to decorate. My head is spinning with ideas, so I decided to finally work on some wall art for our music space!
How To: Music Wall Art Read More 👉
5 Projects to Upcycle Your Summer Shells!
When I was younger (and even now) I loved to collect shells on the beach when my family went on vacation. When we got home, though, we had a ton of shells with no real purpose. Instead of storing them or throwing them away, try making these amazing craft projects!
How-to: DIY Washi Tape from Reclaimed Paper
Isn’t washi tape just beautiful? Japanese paper tape comes in all sorts of colors and patterns, but unfortunately it’s pretty expensive and it’s not the most eco-frienly craft supply, either. Don’t fret, though, green crafty peeps! With a little patience and just a few materials you can create your very own washi tape!
How-to: DIY Washi Tape from Reclaimed Paper Read More 👉
Crafty Uses for the Mint from Your Garden
There are a ton of crafty uses for mint, ways to add it into your bath and beauty routine, and medicinal aspects to it, so much that once the cupboard and freezer are full, you still have plenty to do with all that hardy mint growing in your garden all summer.
Crafty Uses for the Mint from Your Garden Read More 👉
How to Make Homemade Mint Extract
Read on to learn how to make as much of your own mint extract as you could ever want with our nearly effortless method!
How to Make Homemade Mint Extract Read More 👉
Eco-Friendly Craft Kits from Herban Crafts
Ever wanted to make your own beauty supplies but wasn’t sure how to start? A couple of my favorite crafters are launching a line of DIY beauty craft kits, but they need your help to get started!
Eco-Friendly Craft Kits from Herban Crafts Read More 👉
How-to: Handmade Graduation Card
Graduation time is here! Cards are so expensive to buy and are such a waste because most people throw them away. Instead, make your own from materials you already have!
How-to: Handmade Graduation Card Read More 👉
5 Fabulous Refashion Ideas for Summer!
Have you been looking at your wardrobe and thinking, “I have nothing to wear for summer!” After reading Julie’s post about how to upcycle a t-shirt into a tank-top, I was inspired to find more refashioning ideas. Instead of buying new clothes and shoes, upcycle some of your old ones! Here are 5 amazing tutorials to get you started.
How-to: Upcycled Circle Skirt from a Vintage Bed Sheet
Here’s how I’ve managed to combine my love of vintage clothes, vintage fabrics, and thrift stores: A circle skirt created from a thrifted vintage sheet.
How-to: Upcycled Circle Skirt from a Vintage Bed Sheet Read More 👉
How-to: Make Upcycled Newspaper Popcorn Holders
A couple days’ worth of newspapers (stored somewhere sanitary) is plenty to make enough paper popcorn cones for everybody at your party, and if you’re feeling especially mitchy-matchy, the finished cones are easy to dye in your preferred colors.
How-to: Make Upcycled Newspaper Popcorn Holders Read More 👉