This upcycled cheese grater makes a great hanging light. The cool reflections are an added bonus!
Via Unconsumption
Posts tagged: upcycling
Upcycling: Funnels as Vertical Plant Holders
This is a great, and easy to-do, idea! Rather than buying new, upcycle an old funnel (which comes with built-in drainage) and use it as a hanging planter. Use twine to suspend the funnel and tie to a hook.
Check out additional garden ideas at This Old House.
Eco Vocab: Upcycle
upcycle – uhp-sahy-kuhl
The process of converting useless products into new materials or products of better quality or higher value.
According to Wikipedia, upcycling has shown significant growth across the United States. For example, the number of products on Etsy tagged with the word “upcycled” increased from about 7,900 in January 2010 to nearly 30,000 a year later — an increase of 275%!
Upcycled lightbulbs
Upcycling is different than recycling in that when we recycle a product, that product is reduced back down to its raw materials (plastic, paper, glass, etc.), and then re-used to manufacture other products made of those materials.
Upcycling involves taking old things and repurposing them as crafty new things.
What have you upcycled around your house?
Upcycling: Whisks as Decorative Lights
Upcycling: Mason Jar Snow Globes
This fun and festive DIY project is perfect for decorating and gift giving too. All you need are mason jars, masking tape, flocking or glittery spray paint, fake snow, fake trees, hot glue, and glitter if you like.
We found this eco-craft on the Homebody In Motion blog. Check out detailed instructions and other decorating tips there.
Upcycling: Turn Soda Cans Into Vases
This super simple DIY project is so easy even the kids can help out. Grab some soda cans (out of your recycling bin, naturally), paint with high gloss enamel (check here for a list of eco-friendly paint sources), and ta-da!
Upcycling: Turn Old Phones Into Book Ends
We found this stylish upcycle project on A Beautiful Mess. Not only do the old phones make great book ends, they are also a fun conversation starter for the under six crowd who are growing up in a world without landlines and will probably have no idea what they are.
See below for step-by-step instructions.
Upcycling: Turn Old Keys into Crafty Key Holders
Somehow, we all end up with old keys. And at the same time, are always looking for a perfect spot to store the new ones. This upcycled key holder is the perfect solution to both. Continue reading