Celebrate Earth Day with Upcycling Inspiration

Upcycling for Earth Day

Earth Day is upon us, and here at Stampington, we feel that this special day should be spent in celebration of this big, beautiful, planetary rock that we all share. Whether you’re planting a tree, going to an Earth Day event, or making an effort to be a more conscientious crafter, we invite you to join us as we explore ways in which some of our published artists have attempted to craft a greener world.

From mountaintops to ocean floors, vast open plains to thick lush jungles – the Earth fills our bellies and entices our souls by offering an endless wealth of inspiration. While the Earth does not have limitless resources, what it does give us is always multi-dimensional and holds a great capacity to be multi-purposed. We get joy from the process of creating; what’s more,  upcycling challenges us artistically to repurpose discarded materials that are destined for the landfill, to breathe new life into them and transform them into beautiful and functional works of art.

 

Inspirational Words About Upcycling

Upcycled Lace Bag for Earth Day“I have a passion for old and discarded items—linens, jewelry, buttons, clothing, and handbags just to name a few. I see the potential to upcycle or repurpose an item by breathing new life into it.” ~Diane Utley-Aguilar from Haute Handbags

 

 

 

 

Upcycled Advertisement Flowers for Earth Day“Put junk mail, packaging, and advertisements to good use by incorporating them into your journal page. Either use the text to simply add interest to your page, or choose words and phrases that complement the theme of your design.” ~Amber Demien from Art Journaling

Project by Vicki Cotnoir

 

 

 

Upcycle Art Journaling for Earth Day“When I saw the huge mound of unnoticed, unloved, and just plain abandoned paper, I did what any sane artist would have done: I inquired into the paper’s future. The company’s plan to recycle was certainly good enough for me, but I saw a better use.” ~Autumn Hathaway from Art Journaling

 

 

 

 

Upcycled Faucet Handle Bracelets for Earth Day“Sue Elseth loves repurposing jewelry and trinkets. Not only do they bring new and meaningful life to her and others, but they also create the opportunity to teach new generations about the history behind those pieces.” ~Sue Elseth from Jewelry Affaire

Project by Ann Tatum

 

 

 

Upcycled Burlap Bag for Earth Day“What is the point of using recycled materials if you aren’t actually going to use what you make? Creating new from the old has always been a hobby of mine. It’s incredibly satisfying to take something someone else might consider old, worn out, or complete trash, and refashion it into something you are proud to wear.” ~Stephanie Snow from GreenCraft Magazine

 

 

 

 

Upcycled Belt Buckle for Earth Day

 “I adore being able to repurpose something that might have been discarded but can be reborn as something new through creative daydreaming.” ~Brenda Bamford from Jewelry Affaire

 

 

 

 

Upcycled Dryer Sheet Dress for Earth Day “By salvaging the interesting features of a shirt to turn into necklaces, I am preserving the essence of what I loved about the shirt to begin with…” ~Johanna Love from GreenCraft Magazine

Project by Shawn Le Kohler

 

 

 

Upcycled Paper Wreath for Earth Day“Nothing makes my heart beat faster than a tattered piece of beautifully aged paper, mottled with stains and spots, delicate and fragile, soft and dreamy, aching to be reborn.” ~Layla Renzi from Digital Inspiration

Project by Lana Manis

 

 

 

Need more Earth Day inspiration?

In honor of Earth Day, we invite you to share your own upcycling projects or tell us what your plans are for tomorrow. If you happen to be running low on ideas, take a look inside our spring issue of GreenCraft Magazine, which is full of creative and truly unique projects.

 




Posted: Monday, April 21st, 2014 @ 5:25 pm
Categories: Art Journaling, Contests and Giveaways, Digital Art, Holidays, Jewelry Making, Textile Arts, Uncategorized.
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18 Responses to “Celebrate Earth Day with Upcycling Inspiration”

  1. I love Upcycling, especially when it makes art! Thanks so much to Art Journaling for featuring my article. Happy Earth Day.

  2. Sabina says:

    I love recycling and upcycling!!! I make my art journalss, atc’s and art canvasses with just about everything. And for the garden i go to thrift stores and garage sales and pick up gently used dishes and tschotschkes to make garden totems and birdbaths! I have my own facebook page Amma’s Treasures on facebook. I was going to try to make ago of my own business. So far I have sold a few to family and friends. It’s a start I guess.

    • Gabriela says:

      Those projects sound amazing, especially the birdbaths. What a great use for old dishes! As for starting your own business, have you had a chance to read Where Women Create Business? The magazine has a lot of great advice from women who have made their passions into thriving businesses.

  3. Ella says:

    Love, love, love this post! I love to recycle everything. My craziest was a piece of torn window screen I found. I made my husband stop to car to grab my find. My husband laughed, “Wow, this is what you love and all this time I have been struggling to find the perfect gift. Next time, I will drive around and gather some trash and you will be happy.”

    Yes, it was funny, but I set him straight on what I considered special recycled treasure.

    Happy Earth Day!

  4. Ella says:

    oops,
    I made my husband stop THE car, to grab my find-lol.

    I love to recycle old letters-the font is amazing~

  5. Kim Gaynor says:

    As the co-owner of an old home salvage business, we are very much into upcycling. Most of the wood we salvage is old growth pine, so in a way, I feel like we are saving those trees from a landfill or a burn pile.

  6. Lana Manis says:

    Many of my projects are made from recycled materials. Thank you for including my book page wreath in this awesome collection!

  7. Barbara Moore says:

    A lot of my mixed media pieces are made with repurposed and recycled materials. I love the projects that you’ve shown here. Happy Earth Day!

  8. Nathan says:

    Happy Earth Day!

  9. Barb says:

    These are some great ideas.

  10. Pat says:

    I love to upcycle and repurpose! Corrugated cardboard provides great texture and interest to any paper project or journal page. I use packaging cardboard, as in cereal boxes, to create stencils, to add dimension to die cuts and punch-outs by gluing behind designer papers; in fact packaging provides some yummy and rich colors that are sturdy for multiple paper projects. I generally go through the day looking at everything with a revival outlook! I’m considered a bit laughable by my day-job boss, but she provides me with tons of recyclable materials in cast off copy paper, manila folders, grungy old paper clips and more. I truly believe those of us who get a buzz out of repurposing have a genetic disposition that needs to avoid wastefulness! I’m not kidding when I say I feel an obsession with it all.

  11. Mary Noble says:

    I recycled a dresser into a craft closet and recycled other items to match: paper holder, small box, a basket, a money box, and bookends. Although it was time consuming to prepare, paint, and distress, along with adhering paintable wallpaper and wood designs, I now use them daily in my craft room…pictures on my blog: http://doggandponyshow.blogspot.com/2011/08/larger-white-dresser-cupboard-makeover.html; http://doggandponyshow.blogspot.com/2011/09/cracking-my-repainted-dresser-for-my.html; http://doggandponyshow.blogspot.com/2011/08/part-2-large-craft-room-dresser.html

Jordan Art JournalingContests and GiveawaysDigital ArtHolidaysJewelry MakingTextile ArtsUncategorized ,,,,,,,,,,

Upcycling for Earth Day

Earth Day is upon us, and here at Stampington, we feel that this special day should be spent in celebration of this big, beautiful, planetary rock that we all share. Whether you’re planting a tree, going to an Earth Day event, or making an effort to be a more conscientious crafter, we invite you to join us as we explore ways in which some of our published artists have attempted to craft a greener world.

From mountaintops to ocean floors, vast open plains to thick lush jungles – the Earth fills our bellies and entices our souls by offering an endless wealth of inspiration. While the Earth does not have limitless resources, what it does give us is always multi-dimensional and holds a great capacity to be multi-purposed. We get joy from the process of creating; what’s more,  upcycling challenges us artistically to repurpose discarded materials that are destined for the landfill, to breathe new life into them and transform them into beautiful and functional works of art.

 

Inspirational Words About Upcycling

Upcycled Lace Bag for Earth Day“I have a passion for old and discarded items—linens, jewelry, buttons, clothing, and handbags just to name a few. I see the potential to upcycle or repurpose an item by breathing new life into it.” ~Diane Utley-Aguilar from Haute Handbags

 

 

 

 

Upcycled Advertisement Flowers for Earth Day“Put junk mail, packaging, and advertisements to good use by incorporating them into your journal page. Either use the text to simply add interest to your page, or choose words and phrases that complement the theme of your design.” ~Amber Demien from Art Journaling

Project by Vicki Cotnoir

 

 

 

Upcycle Art Journaling for Earth Day“When I saw the huge mound of unnoticed, unloved, and just plain abandoned paper, I did what any sane artist would have done: I inquired into the paper’s future. The company’s plan to recycle was certainly good enough for me, but I saw a better use.” ~Autumn Hathaway from Art Journaling

 

 

 

 

Upcycled Faucet Handle Bracelets for Earth Day“Sue Elseth loves repurposing jewelry and trinkets. Not only do they bring new and meaningful life to her and others, but they also create the opportunity to teach new generations about the history behind those pieces.” ~Sue Elseth from Jewelry Affaire

Project by Ann Tatum

 

 

 

Upcycled Burlap Bag for Earth Day“What is the point of using recycled materials if you aren’t actually going to use what you make? Creating new from the old has always been a hobby of mine. It’s incredibly satisfying to take something someone else might consider old, worn out, or complete trash, and refashion it into something you are proud to wear.” ~Stephanie Snow from GreenCraft Magazine

 

 

 

 

Upcycled Belt Buckle for Earth Day

 “I adore being able to repurpose something that might have been discarded but can be reborn as something new through creative daydreaming.” ~Brenda Bamford from Jewelry Affaire

 

 

 

 

Upcycled Dryer Sheet Dress for Earth Day “By salvaging the interesting features of a shirt to turn into necklaces, I am preserving the essence of what I loved about the shirt to begin with…” ~Johanna Love from GreenCraft Magazine

Project by Shawn Le Kohler

 

 

 

Upcycled Paper Wreath for Earth Day“Nothing makes my heart beat faster than a tattered piece of beautifully aged paper, mottled with stains and spots, delicate and fragile, soft and dreamy, aching to be reborn.” ~Layla Renzi from Digital Inspiration

Project by Lana Manis

 

 

 

Need more Earth Day inspiration?

In honor of Earth Day, we invite you to share your own upcycling projects or tell us what your plans are for tomorrow. If you happen to be running low on ideas, take a look inside our spring issue of GreenCraft Magazine, which is full of creative and truly unique projects.