12 More Ways to Reuse Paper Bags

Paper bags have been a bit of a controversy.  Are paper bags better than plastic?  I have a previous blog post with Ways to Reuse Paper Bags, which includes a video documentary about whether plastic or paper are better for the environment.  Click here to watch the video and see the first 8 Ways to Reuse Paper Bags.

I think we all can agree that reusing canvas shopping bags is best.

If you still find yourself with paper bags here are even more ways to reuse the paper bags you end up with:

1.  Use a dust mop?  Struggle to get the dust and dirt off it?  Put it in a paper bag and put a rubber band around it to secure the bag.  Then shake the dust mop to get the dust and dirt off.  Carefully remove the paper bag.

2.  Remove wax.  Heat the wax through a paper bag, moving the paper bag around to use new portions to pick up the wax.  Do not use a printed bag as this may cause the ink to run.

3.  Reuse as gift bags.  Use acrylic paint to cover any printed areas or glue on decorative paper.  Use decorative punches to decorate the edges, add ribbons, etc.  Get creative!

4.  Place fruit in a paper bag to accelerate ripening.

5.  Make a mailer with paper bags.  Click here for a tutorial on how to do this.

6.  Make an amazing butterfly wreath!!

7.  Make paper!

8.  Use them to protect surfaces when your painting, gluing or doing other messy crafty projects.

9.  Cut out eyes and decorate to make a mask.

10.  Make a kite.

11.  Use them to separate your recyclables.

12.  Cut into strips and tape them to make chains for decorations.

You can also make a Paper Bag Scrapbook.  Click here to get my original, simple Paper Bag Scrapbook.

Find out more about my updated Paper Bag Scrapbook there and how to get the step-by-step instructions for free, too.

Typewriter Key Necklaces

Typewriter Key Necklaces!

Super Cute!

Quirky!

Are you looking for the perfect unique gift?

Want to express yourself and be eco-friendly at the same time!\

The necklace was made from a key from a non-working typewriter, a silver plated bail and then hangs from a 24" chain.

You can shorten the chain by using ordinary scissors and cutting between 2 of the balls of the chain.

You will delight and surprise your friends with a custom gift.  Or show your funky, quirky style by wearing it yourself.

Check out the Typewriter Key Necklaces I have listed in my etsy shop, or contact me to see if I have a custom letter, number or symbol available.

Click here now to purchase a Typewriter Key Necklace for just $12!

More Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles

I wrote a post about Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles that was really popular.  I'm so glad that people are interested in recycling plastic bottles.  They are one of the worst things we are doing to our planet, in my opinion.

For the original post, Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles, click here.

Here are even more ways to reuse plastic bottles:

1. Woven Plastic Bottle Vase Tutorial

2.  DIY Plastic Bottle Lamp Base

3.  Plastic Bottle Beads.  I have been meaning to try these out.  

4.  Make a Bottle Change Purse.  Click on the link for the directions, but it's pretty simple:
Cut the bottom part of 2 bottles off.
Hot glue or sew a zipper in between the 2 bottle bottoms.

5.  Recycle them.  If you aren't crafty or not interested in making crafty projects.

6.  Better yet, just don't use them to begin with!  Use reusable water containers instead.

Get more tips for Greener Living and Jewelry Trends and Being Eco-Friendly, just sign up for my email updates.

 

Get the new eBook:  "Jewelry Trends and Being Eco-Friendly." This eBook includes lots of great information, including:

• Glossary of eco-friendly terms
• Trends in Jewelry and How to do them the Eco-Friendly Sample Conversations to help you use your eco-friendly jewelry to start a conversation (or how to still get your point across without having a lengthy conversation.)
• Plus, bonus 14 Simple and Easy Tips for Greener Living.

How much for all this great information in one place?  

FREE!!

Just sign up for my email jewelry newsletter and it will be emailed to you after you confirm your subscription.  (PLUS, you get a free shipping code to use in my online shop!)

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Green Handmade Jewelry - Why It is Important

I write a lot about Recycling and Reusing and living green.  I also write about my green handmade jewelry.


But why?


I make jewelry out of items that could otherwise be discarded because I am worried about the earth.  I think that we are destroying it and I want to do whatever I can to stop it.  


I don't think that my little business with it's game tile pendants, hardware jewelry and other funky jewelry is going to save the earth.  


However, I think know my customers are going to save the earth.


Step-by-step, one little can, newspaper, plastic bag, whatever it is, at a time.  Everything we do does make a difference.  If I can reach more of you, then more people are thinking about the planet and all the little steps and all those steps of all of us do add up.


What I'm trying to do here is bigger than fashion, or the perfect gift or a memory.  It's bigger than a couple of tips.  I'm calmly and slowly fighting for our planet.  Fighting for the generations that will come after us.  I want them to see trees and butterflies and flowers and know the beauty that I see.  I want them to know what it's like to take a hike in the woods and see a waterfall.

What can you do?


1.  Read my weekly green tips and try doing something new.  Already living green?  Add to the conversation!  Add a comment to this post or any of my Green Tips Posts!  


2.  Tell your friends!  Share with them about little steps they can take or share with them what you do.  Be a living example!  Direct them here on Tuesdays for a tip!


3.  Support Green Businesses.  I am one, there are others!  (I'm the proud new owner of the 2012 National Green Pages, so I'll be sure to share other businesses, too!)


4.  Purchase my eco-friendly jewelry!  (More on this below....)


5.  Do your very best every day.  You'll screw up sometimes.  (i.e. I forgot my canvas bag at the store today) but just do your best.  


6.  Like green tutorials?  I have moved my tutorials over to my new blog at KimberlieKohler.com  Learn how to reuse all the stuff that is clogging up our waterways and land and don't let it get there.

Using Green Jewelry to Start a Green Conversation


Beyond just saving a game piece or another small object from the landfill, and beyond not using resources to make new materials (both of which I think are important and helpful), wearing my eco-friendly jewelry can help you start a conversation about green issues.  You could give someone information that didn't have before.  You never know how you can affect those around you.  You never know how that person can affect others....and so on.  You could start a whole green team, and not even realize it.


I try to make it easier for you by giving you something to wear to get a conversation started.



Here are 2 sample conversations you can try out.  One if you really do want to get into a conversation about it; one for if you really don’t want to have a whole conversation, but want the jewelry to speak for itself. 


Sample Conversations: 


She says:  “Hey, girl!  I love that cool pendant you have on!” 


You say:  “Thanks so much!  It’s an actual scrabble tile (flip over tile and show her) and the designer recycled it into this cool jewelry.” 


She says:  “Wow that is awesome.” 


You say:  “I like helping the environment in any way I can.  We keep destroying it at 
such a fast rate, every little bit helps.” 


She says:  “I didn’t know that you were so eco-friendly.” 


You say:  “It only takes a few small steps to make a difference, and it doesn’t feel 
like it’s really taking more time or effort than if I weren’t being eco-friendly.” 


She says:  “Tell me more.” 


Then you can tell her some of the ways you are eco-friendly:  recycling, using a drying 
rack instead of a dryer, using recycled paper, etc. 


You can also suggest she checks out www.BBBellezza.com for easy tips and 
handcrafted green jewelry.  (Thanks!!) 



Conversation #2:


If you don’t really want to get into a whole conversation about recycling, try this: 


She says:  “Hey, girl!  I love that cool pendant you have on!” 


You say:  “Thanks so much!  It’s an actual scrabble tile (tip over and show her) and the designer recycled it into this cool jewelry” 


She says:  “Wow, that is awesome.” 


You say:  “You should check out her website at www.BBBellezza.com”  (Or, if you are in Lancaster, PA, you can tell her to check out my booth at Building Character.) 


She says:  “Thanks, I will.” 


Then you have pointed her to my website, where she will find tips for greener living and handcrafted green jewelry.  I'll take it from there.  :)  


Plus, you have my unending gratitude. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just finished writing a mini eBook:  "Jewelry Trends and Being Eco-Friendly."


This eBook includes lots of great information, including:

• Glossary of eco-friendly terms
• Trends in Jewelry and How to do them the Eco-Friendly Way
• Sample Conversations to help you use your eco-friendly jewelry to start a conversation (or how to still get your point across without having a lengthy conversation.)
• Plus, bonus 14 Simple and Easy Tips for Greener Living.

How much for all this great information in one place?  FREE!!


Just sign up for my email newsletter and it will be emailed to you after you confirm your subscription.  (PLUS, you get a free shipping code to use in my online shop!)

Also, if you are in Lancaster, PA, make sure to click the box to get on my special local email list and get notified whenever I'll being special events in the area!

Subscribe to our mailing list

5 Household Reuses for Newspaper

Really, the best way to avoid wasting newspaper is to not get one to begin with, right?  You can get your news  from the internet, of course, but I do understand holding something phyfsical in your hands.  (I have an eReader, but I still like to read "real" books every once in a while.)

If you subscribe to the daily news, you're going to have a big pile of newspaper in no time at all!  You're going to need to do something with all that paper.

Here are 5 Household Reuses for Newspaper:

1.  Use them for cleaning glass instead of wasting paper towels.
2.  They are great for absorbing odors, so line your vegetable trays in your frig with them. Some people like to put a lining of newspaper then a lining of paper towels.
3.  Crumple them up and put them in your sneakers.  It gets rid of any bad smells PLUS if they are wet/moist, it helps dry them out.
4.  Use in suitcases in storage to keep out bad odors.
5.  Stuff in coolers that you store - it will keep them dry plus keep out odors.

What ways do you reuse newspaper around your house?

Flower Top Gift Box Tutorial

Imagine presenting a gift in this beautiful, unique box.  They will ooh and ahhh about it before they even open the gift!

Inspiration:  I recently was given a gift in a beautiful package.  I felt so special before I even opened it.  Someone took the time to make this gift look so lovely for me.

I hated to even open it, but it made the whole process even more special and lovely.  I felt even more like I had been given such a wonderful gift!

Materials:
2 pieces of card stock
Magazines
Button
Wire (any kind)
Flower Pattern
Scissors
Awl (or thumbtack or pin)
Bone folder or, as I use, big popsicle stick




Step #1

Rip 4 pages out of a magazine.  Then cut them in half.


Step #2

Print and cut out the Flower Pattern.  Then cut out 4 of the small flowers and 4 of the larger flowers.  I usually pin them onto the paper to hold it.  It does put holes in your paper, but you can't really see them.

Step #3

Use your awl to punch 2 holes in the middle of the flowers.  


(HINT:  If you don't have an awl, you can use a thumbtack or pin to poke holes.)


Step #4

Cut a piece of wire.


Step #5

Fold the wire in half and slide the button on.  The top of the button will go towards the curved part of the wire.


Step #6

Slide the magazine flowers onto the wire.  The smaller flowers will be closest to the button.  That is the top or front of the flower.

Step #7

Twist the wire once or twice.

Set the flower aside for now.  

Now we'll make the box.

Step #8

Grab one piece of card stock.  Fold it as shown in the 2nd photo (you're trying to create a perfect square.)


(HINT:  You can really use any paper here.  I have used magazines for this part, too, but they are little more flimsy.  I have used old file folders that the office I worked for threw out, too.  They are perfect.)


Step #9

Cut off the extra card stock.


Open the card stock back up.


Step #10

Fold in half diagonally.


Open the card stock back up.


Step #11

Fold in each corner to the middle fold.


Open card stock back up.


Step #12

Fold up each corner to the fold you just made.


Open back up.


Step #13

Fold each corner up to the closest fold.


Open card stock back up.


Step #14

Make cuts in the card stock.  I drew a line showing where to cut.  Cut on either side of 4 blocks and a triangle on opposite sides.


Step #15

Flip over the card stock.  Punch 2 holes in the middle with your awl (or a thumbtack or pin.)


Step #16

Grab the flower you made previously.


Push the wires of the flower through the holes.


Step #17

Twist the wire a few times.  Then cut the wire if you need to.  (Not too short, though!)


Step #18

Fold up the sides, parallel with the cuts you made, following the fold lines you made.


Do this for each side.


Step #19

The fold up the ends of the sides as shown in the photo.


Step #20

Fold the sides into a square.


Step #21

Fold in the other sides using the folds you already created.


Step #22

Use a bone folder (or popsicle stick if you're like me!) and go around all your folds.


Step #23

Use your awl or a pencil to curl up the top couple of levels of flower petals.


You're done with the lid!


Step #24

To make the bottom, follow the steps to make the box from above (minus the flower part).  You have to make the square a little smaller so it fits inside of the lid.  When you do the original fold before cutting the card stock, don't fold it all the way to the edge, instead fold it short.  Cut off the excess.  Follow steps 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23.

Now your Flower Top Gift Box is ready to fill with a gift!!


Idea for customization:


Instead of the magazine flower, try a tissue paper flower on top.   Make the box first and then use my Flower Made From an Old Pattern Tutorial and put it on top at the end.

And what's better than a handmade gift?  Check out my Craftsy Pattern Store for some great tutorials you can make!  


May 4 - 12, 2012 I'm having a BOGO Tutorial Sale!  Buy one get one (of equal or lesser value).  Just pick out 2 tutorials from my Craftsy Pattern Store, purchase the more expensive on and email me the name of the one you would like for free.  Once I receive your payment, I'll email you the free tutorial!