Creative Reuse : What to do with that before you throw it out....

'Creative Reuse - Unique Etsy Finds, Most From the Etsy Recyclers Guild' by RetroChalet

I'm in awe of these artist's abilities to reclaim, repurpose, and reuse certain objects such as these. Whether you're looking for home decor, jewelry, or supplies, these sellers have it all. Most are members of the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team, but a few are guest featured here. Show some love and thank them for keeping these items out of the landfills!

coquette. reclaimed stiletto... giddyspinster $60.00	Orig J Craig Recycled Flori... IntoTheTrees $42.00	6 recycled musical heart sha... 42things $4.00
x.592 thomasjack $325.00	Watermelon Black Red Sweater... Brokenghostcou... $39.00	Unique Broken China Pendant ... beadsbuttonsan... $24.99
Vintage stool. Cottage Garde... shemakesremake... $80.00	Recycled beer bottles small ... bottlehood $25.00	Vintage plastic floral butto... mattiereidchic... $6.00
Victorian Ruffle Cuff - Bead... TranzendentalA... $20.00	With this Red, White and Blu... lizziecaye $89.95	London Cheese English Pendan... RetroChaletStu... $14.95
Grey Days Notebook relove $14.00	Mr. Tyrannosaurus Portrait -... BeatUpCreation... $52.00	Sapphire Blue Computer Circu... clonehardware $15.00

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Repurposed Chalkboards

Everyday, I see the talent in people when it comes to Creative Reuse. Sometimes it's the little things I wouldn't have thought of myself, such as a driftwood key chain, or a milk cap necklace.  I really get excited looking for some projects that I wanted to do myself, but put off due to lack of time.  So, when lack of time persists, the crafty go shopping. Today I'm talking about chalkboards!

Like the ones I so love at RevivedVintage, spectacular "Red Syroco" for only $45. 

Oh yeah, gotta love it from SoZealous.   For a bargain $10, it's worth scarfing up.

The best thing about repurposed chalkboards is there are plenty options to accentuate your decor, or to give as gifts. With so many frames, styles, and colors available, shopping should be fun!  If you aren't into the bright funky mod lime green above, what about this more subtle frame (and noted as a great wedding gift)  from PoshPilfer?

 This original vintage frame is wedding white and waiting for you at PoshPilfer's shop for only $55.00.

I guess I'm partial to the colors no one else has.  This pink frame really caught my eye, it's a simple upcycled frame, but the seller's choice of pastel pink is great.  Wouldn't this look lovely in a little girls' room?

For $22, PlayingGrownUp really has it going on with this chalkboard.  

How cute this would look in a little girl's room.



So I was thinking, what about the holidays?  What if I could find the time to make some mini chalkboards, or do some jars (leftover canning jars that could then again be reused) and fill 'em with art supplies or candy?   Wouldn't that be a great idea.  So I happened across these adorable chalkboard labels from  BradensGraceWallArt.   Not to mention, the entire store is chock full of chalk labels!  How cute they are and what a great idea!

  

A real steal for $6.80 at BradensGraceWallArt for 12 labels here.  

Then there's always the "hard person to shop for."  You know the kind.  It's the person who has everything or is ultra picky, so you strive to find them something totally different in hopes they don't already have it.  How's this for a OOAK item, this vintage-restaurant-window turned chalkboard.  I love the original great shabby condition! 

Shabby Chalks offers this one for $129, but has many others in stock in their Etsy shop.

I kept looking and I really liked this one, yet another window, but the kind that goes with any decor.  I imagined this in a country cottage kitchen next to the phone nook with phone numbers scribbled on it. 

 Offered by EngagedandInspired, a real deal for $45 and a great gift idea.

Sometimes I'm floored by things that I didn't know even existed. While I was shopping, I found this great shop that offers all kinds of vinyl chalkboard decals that stick to your wall.  What a fun idea for the student at college or the office worker to hang in their office.  Easily-cleaned and waiting for you to scribble your chalky notes on, I suppose you can consider this a way to "repurpose" your existing decor with only a subtle change.  I was thinking about that tiny nail hole I've been meaning to cover up and I can simply save money from re-wallpapering or painting that damaged area by slapping one of these guys on.  So many designs are available, from frame-like ones to guitars!)I like this one, maybe I'm a wee dramatic?

This one as offered by SpellitoutDesigns is called "Bird on a Branch", only $26. Love this.

I still can't help thinking I ought to get that chalkboard paint and do up my doors in my home like the ones I saw back in 2008 on the inspirational blog: "Rethink and Reuse".  I also had seen the same type thing in the "DIY" section of Southern Living.

Part of Southern Living's old Kitchen Makeover on a Budget Series.

Instead of painting my old fridge again, if  I get really tired of playing with the magnets all over it, why not do it up like the "Noisettes" did in 2007?  I love this, but think the hubby would not agree.

This family tells you all about it in their blog post HERE on their Noisettes blog.

I have to admit I'm not this brave and I probably wouldn't have done the globe-thing myself, but seeing the finish project makes me thing any dad or teacher would really appreciate this on their desk.

Image via Make, used on  OnePrettyThing.who explains how to use the chalkboard paint HERE.

So, instead of wasting all that paper writing notes in your kitchen to your kids, hubby, or partner, why not invest in these great finds?  If you are really looking for a fun and inexpensive weekend project with the family, do up your door like a chalkboard!

The Trickle Effect

The Trickle Effect

Can technology save our planet? I wonder how many less trees are cut down by the use of email rather than paper bills and letters. Yea, I'm a tree hugger. Trees give us so much yet what do we give them in return?, some decorations at Christmas time... A few simple things that trees provide which people often forget about; shade and a nice breeze which also saves energy if you don't need the air conditioner or fan. Trees provide homes and recreation for birds. Watching and listening to birds sing, can lower your blood pressure and help relax you, which ='s saving on costly health care fees.

Lets do our part to save trees by reducing products that perpetuate their destruction.

Think of all the positives there are for using your computer to pay that bill or write that letter; you save paper of course, and more paper and money in not using stamps. If you have a messy handwriting like I do, and you type out an email, you know the receiver will be able to read what you write. It's a whole lot faster too! Well maybe just as long for paying bills, which is just an excuse, imho.  And some email programs let you delete an email if it's not been read yet. Ya can't go digging inside a mail box for that Dear John letter once you change your mind. Well you can at the risk of being arrested. LOL

Have you ever smelled a paper manufacturing plant? They stink REALLY bad! I can not imagine having to live near one!

Did you know that florescent paper is more difficult to recycle? Oberlin College says it also produces "toxic sludge" during processing. The folks at Oberlin College in Ohio are the first college to implement the Source Reduction Program. Their efforts are campus wide as well as a page on their website which offers information for off campus recycling.

Some interesting facts about paper recycling:

* To produce each week's Sunday newspapers, 500,000 trees must be cut down.
Gee I knew there was a reason I've never been into reading the newspaper, other than the ick that gets all over your hands

* The average American uses seven trees a year in paper, wood, and other products made from trees. This amounts to about 2,000,000,000 trees per year!
I can't even comprehend that many trees or where they all come from!

* The amount of wood and paper we throw away each year is enough to heat 50,000,000 homes for 20 years. I'm making a small difference by creating art with locally found driftwood :0)

* Each ton (2000 pounds) of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, three cubic yards of landfill space, 4000 kilowatts of energy, and 7000 gallons of water. This represents a 64% energy savings, a 58% water savings, and 60 pounds less of air pollution!

* The 17 trees saved (above) can absorb a total of 250 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air each year. Burning that same ton of paper would create 1500 pounds of carbon dioxide.

Check out a few of our team members who find creative ways to repurpose, reuse and recycle paper and wood products:

* 42 things
* Paper Leaves
* Into The Trees
* relove
* Beat Up Creations
* Island Girlz Jewelery

I firmly believe that any effort to recycle makes a difference. The biggest difference we can make in our planet's future is to teach our children, anyone's children not to litter and to recycle. Children are future caretakers of Mother Earth.

Here's a few resources for your children to explore and learn about growing up green:

* http://greenliving.suite101.com/article.cfm/green_kids_online
* http://www.ehow.com/how_2072642_teach-kids-recycle.html
* http://www.recyclinggarbage.net/Teach_Your_Children_to_Reuse.html

"Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a songbird will come." ~Chinese proverb

Peace,
Cher [cherspassion] I offer original one of a kind (ooak) items from recycled driftwood, cigar boxes, tin cans and plastic drink caps.