03/06/2012 - Small Magazine Bowl

Junk mail is annoying, but catalogs are fun to look at. Patagonia catalogs have some amazing photography, so even though it can just be recycled, it is nice to give it another life.

Reclaimed Material: magazine pages
Other/New Material: none
Tools: glue, paintbrush, little cup

How I did it: I tore out pages from the catalog, picking out colors that stood out to me. I folded each sheet (3 of them) in half, then in half again, then in half again, etc., etc., etc., until it was about half an inch thick. I poured some glue in the little cup and added a little water to it. I painted the glue onto one of the folded strips then started coiling it, adding more glue as necessary. I added on another strip once I reached the end of the first and made the coil for the bottom about 2" in diameter then started winding the strips up for the sides of the bowl, continually adding glue.

What I would do differently: Just like some of my other projects, this is one that just requires some practice. I will probably do some variations of this project. I haven't made paper beads in a few years, so that could be on April's agenda.

02/19/2012 - Paper Flower Wreath

I am in love with these paper flowers. I found a blog with great instructions for these paper roses and the blogger has some other fabulous instructions: Crafting with Intention.

Reclaimed Material: junk mail, plastic lid, gift bag ribbon
Other/New Material: none
Tools: scissors, glue

How I did it: I followed the Crafting with Intention instructions for these little beauties. The junk mail I used was black and white with splashes of red so I found a red plastic lid I had hoarded away to match. I cut out the center of the lid to make the paper flower wreath. I used the ribbon from a gift bag I used in other daily crafts for the hanger. I glued the flowers and ribbon to the plastic lid.

What I would do differently: I would have made more little flowers to fill in some of the gaps but ran out of the red, black and white junk mail. Don't worry you will see these again in other projects. I heart these.