upcycled holiday sparkle earrings

Before you throw out all that holiday decor, cards and wrapping paper, take a second look- perhaps there is a unique way to recycle or upcycle all that Christmas sparkle? I decided to turn all of my metallic wrapping and decoration into some sparkly earrings- just in time for New Years Eve!

Tinsel, while messy can be used to create sparkly paper.

Use card stock, thick paper or even recycle the inside of greeting cards (like I did).

Cover the surface with a thick layer of craft glue, gel medium or modge podge.

Trim the tinsel over the paper so that it sticks to the glue.

Let dry completely.

The result is a thick piece of sparkly paper that can be used to create all kinds simple jewelry.

Cut out simple shapes

Use dimensional paint to add little details.

Paint or decorate the back- optional

Cut out small shapes and using jump rings, stack the shapes for dramatic dangle earrings.

Use leftover metallic wrapping (or any pretty wrapping for that matter) to create rolled roses. (my tutorial is here)

Fill the middle with beads.

Glue to posts for a small and pretty set of earrings.

Use wrapping paper and roll into beads.

Use those paper beads and stack them on wire with alternating beads for a set of long dangle earrings.

And there you have it a brand new collection of sparkle earrings ready for a New Years Eve Party!

holiday crafting with book pages

This holiday season I am noticing a trend- book pages! They are everywhere from Anthropologie to West Elm, it is obvious that everyone has discovered the versatility and beauty of text on a book page. I have been using recycled book pages for quite a while and can attest to the fact that they are a simple, affordable and a beautiful supply to use in art and craft projects.

I decided to put together some SUPER easy ideas to get started using book pages in your holiday crafting.

I like to encourage recycling- so look for old books that you don't want to keep.

Use pages with just text- no pictures.

Create a chain garland from strips of book pages.

Or cut out simple shapes and feed them through the sewing machine with a straight stitch to create a garland.

Create simple flowers by cutting out shapes.

Use hot glue and scrunch then together for dimension.

Layer until you have a full flower.

Glue down a button to the middle.

Again, cut out a simple shape (use decorative scissors for the edges).

Scrunch for dimension.

And layer together.

Create a simple envelope to wrap gift cards.

Layer a pretty piece of paper for the label.

Add a pretty flower to the back!

Use styrofoam, glass or cardboard shapes and forms

And cover with scraps of book pages.

Keep it simple

or embellish!

Create simple gist tags by layering a few pages for stability.

Sew them together and layer a black piece of paper to the top.

Create different shapes and sizes.

Add a ribbon to the top.

Create wrapping paper!

Since book pages are not typically large, use hot glue and glue pages together to create a sheet of wrapping paper.

Wrap

and top with a pretty bow.

Add the gift tag

and flowers to the top the gift!

little monsters tutorial

With Halloween right around the corner, I was inspired to create a handful of colorful little monsters from recycled cardboard tubes. If you weren't aware, I love finding new ways to upcycle cardboard tubes- they are free and super easy to turn into something unique. This project would be really fun for kids or for those who are like me and sometimes act like a kid!

Start with a a variety of cardboard tubes in different sizes.

Cut to different sizes and paint in a variety of bright colors.

Create fun, simple, whimsical and goofy monster faces.

Add details with a sharpie.

Use pom poms, toothpicks and more cardboard to create little details for the monsters.

Display in Halloween decorating or place them around the house for a laugh :)