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Recycling textiles and paper is a centuries old tradition. The Japanese and Chinese gave the world origami around 100 A.D. Origami a good way to reuse paper and create beautiful artwork. The American quilt, made from worn out clothes, was functional artwork. During the 20th century, artists in America and around the world developed a renewed interest in recycling, and artwork from trash and garbage began to boom.
Making your own artwork is fun and simple. If you use recycled materials and ordinary household items, it is also inexpensive. String and yarn do not look like much just wrapped into a big ball. When you unwrap them, apply a little imagination, and some plain white glue, the possibilities are endless. Make flowers, decorate gifts, or weave your string into personalized jewelry, like necklaces, rings, and bracelets. String art with small nails is even more versatile. You might need a little help getting your nails in place on a piece of wood. Once that's done, use your string to make outlines of animals, houses, trees or abstracts.
Give brown paper bags a new life as a kite once you put the groceries away.
You can do so much with paper towels and toilet paper rolls once they're empty. Cut toilet paper rolls into thirds, then decorate them to make napkin rings or candle holders. Paper towel rolls are great for making your own musical instruments, the rain machine. Just tape one end closed with masking tape. Add a few spoons of rice or small dried peas. Close the other end with tape and you're ready to make music.
Milk cartons can become birdhouses. Turn empty egg cartons into beautiful flowers. Make old CDs into great coasters. Add two gloves to one orphaned sock to make a reindeer. Start an herb garden with a few empty cans. Make your empty soda cans into works of art too.
Once you have had your eggs for breakfast, keep the shells. Wash them thoroughly, then crack them into varied sizes. With a little paint and glue, your eggshells can become mosaic artworks and decorations in no time.
Creating your own art with bottle caps, cans, ribbons, magazines, or recycled paper household items keeps them out of landfills. Reducing waste is very important as our planets resources decline every day. The world's population is still growing rapidly. We can all do our part to leave a cleaner greener planet for the next generation. Reuse, reduce, and recycle with art.
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