|
|
|
Have you noticed the new words for “recycle?” “Repurpose,” “upcycle,” “restyle.”
I am involved in several endeavors that have got me thinking how to creatively use discarded materials. I was pleased to see there are a number of new books on the shelf with projects, photos and ideas.
My favorite is “The Repurposed Library” by Lisa Occhipinti. The book contains 33 craft projects that give old books a new life. Mobiles, wall sculptures, shelves, frames and lampshades are all detailed and whet my appetite to find a really cool old book and give it a reincarnation.
A few of the artists who contributed to her book have websites that deserve a look. Illustrated characters are brought to life by Jennifer Khoshbin, at www.jenkhoshbin.com. Yvette Hawkins’ website, www.yvettehawkins.com, shows lines of the “book bursts” detailed in Occhipinti’s book. And Jim Rosenau makes delightful themed bookshelves, as seen at his website www.thisintothat.com.
Amanda Blake Soule has a new book out titled “Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures.” I’m not much for sewing, but her clever use of fabrics makes me wish I enjoyed passing the time with a needle and thread. She is a mother with a young family, and some of her 30 projects reflect this. I particularly enjoyed seeing her examples of ways she’s made her children’s art projects come to life.
The project I found most intriguing from “Craftcycle” by Heidi Boyd was a lampshade made of old slides. When lit, the old days are illuminated and slides have a wonderful second life! Some of the other 100+ projects were familiar ones, but it is nice to see them collected into one book.
Finally, a photo reference collection of some artful uses for materials of all kinds can be seen in Garth Jackson’s book, 1,000 Ideas for Creative Reuse. Who ever thought of recycling a grocery cart into a lawn chair? Or what about a chandelier made of clear cassette tapes?
These books and websites have ideas churning in my head. Locally, there’s a wonderful example of “repurpose”. The Etc. Store window features plastic hangers, tied together to form a crystal ball! Now that’s what I call an “upcycle”!
