Reducing the waste is the first step to being more sustainable. Reusing
what you cannot reduce is a good second step. In this issue we will
discuss how to reuse waste products in crafts. Below are some ideas,
with links to some places you can get more information.
I started this issue by going to our local Saturday Market to check
out what they had. They had some cool stuff that people came up with.
Check them out below. Not all of them have web sites, those that do I
provide a link for. I took pictures at some places. I recommend getting
permission before taking pictures at places like this. The crafts are
the artists property. They have the right to tell you no pictures.
Metal Bugs
These
bugs are made out of scrap metal, old tools, silverware, what have you.
He was selling some really big ones for nearly $200. The price tag of
one is hanging in the picture. He did not have a website. Says it was
more work than it was worth so he dropped it.
They
really are cool bugs. He is in Portland's Saturday Market regularly.
Anyone with some minor metal working skills could make one of their own
as well. I'm not that skilled with a torch, so I'll not be making one
for my self right away.
Saw Signs
A little further into the market, I saw a
space that was selling metal crafts again. This time, he had taken
some old hand saws and turned them into signs. This was cool.
Unfortunately he left his stall unmanned while I was there, so I could
not talk to him about the signs. I snapped the picture anyway, I hope
he does not mind.
Mugwump Bags
Next I stumbled upon a real find. Suzanne Keolker is designing this great bags out of reclaimed materials. She used golden books, maps, board games, air mattresses, and more. Quite a wonderful collection!
Experienced Materials
Gina Nash of Experienced Materials had some wonderful lights made out of tin cans. It sounds so cheesy, but they were really lovely. Her website is still under construction, but you can see some of the cans there. Soon you will be able to purchase some of her line.
Spoonman
Finally at the end of the day, I ran across Spoonman. His whimsical collection of kitchen utincils gone astray is quite fun. He looks like the kind of lunatic who would be spending his days bending spoons and turning cleavers into hats and dinner sets into clocks.
Make a rose from a leaf
I ran across this cool little idea while surfing. Leaves usually go into the yard debris bin. If you have a compost pile, you will toss them there. How about making your dining table look a little nicer for a while with one of these great maple leaves to rose center pieces.
Shoes from tires
Making a shoe from a tire is common practice in many parts of the world. Many people third world countries have no shoes, so these are common. Learn to make them from a blown truck tire.
