All Paper Arts

Last month I made a challenge to my Girl Scout Troop. I told them that for February’s meeting they need to bring something they have made out of recycled products. Now, everything on their project doesn’t have to be recycled but at least one item does. Many of them looked at me like this was a challenge they were ready and eager to take on. The other half looked at me like I was crazy. I had them split into groups and wrote three everyday items on the board for them to brainstorm ideas for. Each group had different items written down. It was fun to hear their ideas. I believe each group came up with birdhouses and wind chimes. My 8 year old immediatly started collecting soda cans when we got home.

Sometimes, I think a lot of us believe recycling has to be something that we save from the trash pile. Really anything can be recycled and I believe in the paper arts area almost everything we do has recycling going on. Here is just a quick list of items that can be recycled and used for paper art projects. The funny thing is some of these things are so popular now that they are being manufactured to be bought new. But wouldn’t you feel better if you could give something a second life? Here is what I mean:

Playing Cards (all sizes)
- I am always finding lost playing cards around my house. I use to just toss them thinking there is no way all 52 cards of the set will ever be found.
Dominoes
- even if your set is actually used like ours, then why not go to second hand stores, garage sales, or estate sales, etc and buy them there? Sometimes this is where you will find the really unique looking or even vintage dominoes
Ribbon
- did I really need to list that? Ribbon is everywhere. Recycle the ribbon on gifts or at the end of a roll you are using for a special project.
Material- material is a great item that can be cut into thin strips, spooled, and then used in the same places you might use ribbon.
Office or school supplies
- library cards/envelopes, paper clips, brads, divider tabs, the items are endless and can be used in endless ways as well.
Artificial Flowers
- have an old silk flower arrangement that is out of date? Take the petals apart these make great embellishments and they already have holes in the center so you can use brads or eyelets to set them on your project. (Just make sure to dust them off first! hahaha)
Tissue paper- used tissue paper from gifts can be used to apply texture to a project. Ball the tissue up and then dab it in paint or ink and then stamp your paper. Tissue is also great for decopouge projects or to stuff your handmade boxes and bags.
Buttons
-I know this is a given, buttons have been used for projects for ever.
Match Boxes-the actual box kind are great to cover and turn into little gift boxes
CDs/DVDs
-thats what is used for the project on this page. (This is my 6 year olds round nature album. She can write notes or adhere pics to it. Right now it is 3 cds but she can add more as she fills them up). You can also make cute coasters with cds/dvds
Broken Jewelry
-costume jewelry has great pieces that can be used for embellishments. I especially like vintage jewelry pieces
Small toy (doll) accessories
-before you vacuum it up of throw it away because you are tired of reminding your kiddo to pick it up. Examine that micro sized skirt or necklace or whatever it might be. I just could be what you need for that scrapbook page you’ve been banging your head over.

The list is endless but I’ll stop here. I know what you are thinking. These are great ideas but where am I suppose to store these items? How about canning jars… such as an old spaghetti jar, giant pickle jar, and small jelly jars. Check out the pic of some of my jars. I have these on my worktable. That is until I finally get my craft area more organized by hanging some shelves.

I hope you use some of these ideas. Who knows you might already do many of these yourselves. Great minds do think a lot you know. If you have any other ideas or things you like to recycle for paper arts please share. Remember, when we go green with our paper arts then we can say we are doing are part to help our world! Wink wink. Who could possibly argue with that!