Upcycling Ideas for DIY

Friday, 20 May 2016 01:00 by admin
Traditional residential recycling is a great way to keep waste from building in our landfills but artists and other crafty people are finding ways to re-purpose previously discarded items to create jewelry, art and even furniture. The process is known as “upcycling,” which means to reuse discarded objects to create something that has a higher quality or value than the original materials. For the most part, the discarded objects are free to collect, so they offer artists an almost unlimited resource without great expense. But the results are often quite stunning, so these artists are not only keeping trash from accumulating, they are adding more beauty to the world in the process. Upcycling Ideas One example of upcycling is using sea glass for jewelry. Sea glass is created when glass beverage bottles are carelessly discarded into the ocean, break apart, then are churned by the sea and sand until they are smooth and etched. These fragments of glass give the appearance of unpolished gems that glimmer in the light when used for making earrings, necklaces, rings and even bracelets. Wooden pallets can also be used to create creative furniture. With a little creativity, some paint and a few cushions added, these often-discarded objects are turned into functional pieces that can be used inside or out. Artists also use bottle caps to create sculptures. When flattened and sorted by color, a creative mind can create beautiful “painting sculptures” that resemble anything from a majestic marlin to a serene country still life. Take a look at the objects around you and flex your creative muscles to see what you can envision. You might be surprised at what was once one person’s trash can be turned into another person’s treasure.
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