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.

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?

Cynthia Rag Doll

Source: Cynthia - Zombie Rag Doll via Kimberlie on Craftsy

Learn to make this awesome zombie rag doll yourself, or buy Cynthia already finished in my etsy shop!

10 Ways to Reuse Magazines

In honor of Earth Day this Sunday, I'm sharing different ways to reuse some things we commonly throw out.  Today is magazines.

I want to once again say that the best thing for our earth is to actually not purchase magazines to begin with (I know sometimes you just need to hold something in your hands and read it, though.)  Reusing is preferable to recycling because recycling takes up significant resources and energy.  Why not reuse your magazines instead to make something functional or a cool gift.

Here are 10 ideas:

1.  Make a Magazine End Table.  (Apartmentterapy.com)


2.  Decoupage t-shirts, bags, sneakers! Decoupage Accessories

3.  Weave coasters our of magazines

4.  Make a magazine bowl  (I will definitely be trying this one out!)

5.  Gift bows

6.  Magazine paper can tutorial by Recyclers Anonymous

7.  3D Pop Up Flowers

8.  Magazine Gift Bags

9.  Make envelopes out of magazines

10.  Recycled Magazine Christmas Tree.  I have always thought these were so cool, but never made one!  By Just like Martha.

10 Ways to Recycle and Reuse Newspaper

This Sunday - April 22, 2012 - is the 42nd Earth Day!

As you know, I am a huge supporter of trying to preserve the earth with little steps that you can take each day.  And I love making things with items that were originally destined for the trash!

Today, I bring you 10 Ways to Reuse Newspaper!

First of all, you can eliminate the need to do anything with newspaper by getting your news online!  However, I know that sometimes you just want the physical paper in your hands. 

If you must subscribe, here are some things to do with your newspaper when you're done reading it:

1.  Make a newspaper flower!  It will never wilt!

2.  Make cute decorations!  I made hearts for Valentine's Day, but you can make any shape you like!

3.  This was originally another Valentine's Day project for me, but you can make any shape you want with this great tutorial.  It basically transforms newspaper into clay.

4.   More newspaper flowers!  These were at Ripley's Believe it or Not in Atlantic Ciy, NJ!

5.  Crumpled up newspapers are great for absorbing odors.  Put them in coolers when you are storing them to keep them fresh!  Put in luggage when you are storing it.  Or stuff them in your sweaty sneakers to absorb the moisture and odor.

6.  Line your veggie draws in your frig with it.  Again, it absorbs the moisture and smells.

7.  Wrapping paper!  Look at that amazing bow on top, too!  I found how to do this on Adelle.com.au

8.  Paper Hat

9.  Flower Pot!  Bonus:  you can put the pot right into the ground!

10.  Use around the house:  messy cleanup, line pet cages, line kitty litter (or even use as kitty litter in a pinch!), wash windows and line trash cans.

Map Week Day 4: Travel Paper Bag Scrapbook Journal Craft Along Day 4

Today is Day 4 of the Craft Along!  We're making a fun Travel Paper Bag Scrapbook/Journal!

If you missed the previous days:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

New Tutorial Available: Lots of Buttons Fabric Cuff Bracelet

Make your own fabric cuff tutorial with Lots of Buttons!  

This is a great use of worn jeans!  You can use any fabric you wish.

You just need to be able to sew in a straight line.  I'll teach you everything else!

Great for people who have metal allergies and can't wear metal jewelry!

Pick it up for just $5 in my Craftsy Pattern Shop.

Tuesday Tip for Greener Living: Paper

Lately I seem to have a problem with paper.  I keep printing things out.  Then I decide that I don't need it.  Or I print out a tutorial to proofread - and believe me there are some errors I only catch if I print - but then I have this pile of paper.  It seemed like such a waste.

Then I started (or really, re-started) to do something.  I started saving all that paper.  Now I print on the back.

Yes, it's really simple.  (Sometimes the best tips are!)

Sometimes we forget about such simple things.  I'll blame it on working at a law firm.  So much personal information is at the law firm and the papers with personal information have to be shredded.

At home, a draft of a tutorial with corrections on it does not need to be shredded.  I can print on the other side.  I can draw out ideas on the other side.  I can print another tutorial on the other side.

But, I certainly don't need to throw it away.

What to do with old clothing?

Various reports state that anywhere from 700,000 to millions of TONS of clothing end up in the landfill each year.  Reports state that up to 10% of landfills are clothes.

I cannot believe that!  I personally cannot remember ever throwing away a piece of clothing, even as a child.  There are so many ways to remove clothing from your closets without having to throw them away, I can’t believe that so much does end up in the landfill.

Here's what to do with your old unwanted clothing:

1.  Check with friends and see if they would like clothing you don’t want anymore.  You could even throw a Clothing-Swap-Party, where everyone brings the clothing they don’t want anymore and everyone trades clothes!

2.  Give them to charity.  You can take even old, worn out clothes to be donated because they will be made into rags or commercially recycled.  My local Goodwill raises money by selling damaged clothing to the commercial recycling market.  (Check with the charity first, I don’t know if all donation centers do this.)

3.  Cut them up and use them for rags for cleaning your home.  T-shirts are particularly great for dusting! 

4.  Make crafts out them!  Anything you can make using fabric, you can make using old clothes. 

I’ll be sharing a free tutorial later on this week that is just one of many projects you can  make with recycled clothing. 

Follow along this week and get tips on how to use your clothing for projects, a free projects and stay tuned next week for the launch of my latest tutorial, which make great use of recycled clothing.  Sign up for my tutorial newsletter to be the first to get in on the action!

12 More Ways to Reuse Glass

1.  Candle holders:  Put Epsom salt in the bottom and place a candle on top to make Epsom Salt Snow Mason Jar Candles.  (Or use any jar or glass you have around.)

2.  Snowman altered bottles.  You can even take an online workshop to learn how to make these.

3.  Light bulb ornaments.

4.  Use as vases.

5.  Catch fireflies.

6.  Use empty wine bottles as candle holders for taper candles.

7.  Make a snow globe.

8.  Give gifts in them - chocolates, hot chocolate, little collections of crafty things for your crafty friends, homemade salsa.

9.  Fill them up with bath salts that you make yourself  .

10.  Ribbon dispenser. Just cut a slot in the top of the lid.

11.  Fill them with stones and sue them as bookends.

12.  Memorabilia specimen jars.

Previous posts on B.B. Bellezza about reusing glass:

Don't Throw Out that Broken Mirror (and don't recycle it either!)

15 Ways to Reuse Glass

Tuesday Tip for Greener Living: 8 Easy Ways to Recycle in the Bathroom

Most of us have some sort of recycling system in place in the kitchen. You probably don’t even give it a second thought to rinse out a bottle and place it in the recycling bin.

But, do you recycle in your bathroom?

Maybe you do maybe you don’t. I know I don’t have a separate bag, but I do reuse or recycle most of my bottles from the bathroom. What about the rest of your family, though? What if they are feeling lazy and just throw them in the trash?

Here are some tips for recycling in the bathroom:

1. Set up an extra bin for recycling in the bathroom, just like you have in your kitchen. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just something that reminds you and your family to recycle in the bathroom. (You can separate it out further in your main recycling area. Just make sure you have a bin for recycling in the bathroom.)
2. Just like in the kitchen, there are some things that cannot be recycled. For example, most deordorants cannot be recycled. Some chemicals shouldn’t even go in the garbage, such as nail polish remover or hair dye.  Find out where to take hazardous chemicals locally and dispose of these items there.  Here's an environmental guide to more beauty products.   Of course, you can always not use these items or find more eco-friendly solutions to start with.
3. Easy things to recycle: cardboard from toilet paper, tissue boxes and packages from cosmetics. You can also recycle the plastic wrappers from toilet paper or soap packaging.
4. Any plastic bottle with a number on it: shampoo, conditioner, other hair products, shower gel, etc. can be recycled.
5. Magazines and newspapers from the bathroom can be recycled.
6. You can compost many items from the bathroom as well, including hair from your brush, q-tips with cardboard sticks (not plastic) and many other items. Here’s a list of 163 Things You Can Compost.
7. Use items in your bathroom made from recycled packaging.
8. I don’t want to sound like a commercial here, but Scott has come out with a toilet paper that doesn’t have the cardboard roll inside. (How have we gone this long without this being invented?) 

Recycling in the bathroom is as easy as recycling in the kitchen once you get organized and know what to recycle!

How Metal Gets Recycled

From earth 911

Old Clothes - Now Dolls!

Did you ever have a favorite shirt, pair of jeans, dress, that you just couldn't get rid of even though it didn't fit - had a stain - was damaged?  I have an entire garbage bag full of t-shirts and other such clothing that has sentimental value, even though I can't wear the items anymore.

I have a plan for all of these items:  cut them up and make a quilt.  I've had this plan for over 10 years.  I just realized how long it's been.  Maybe it's time to move on.

People often give me things they no longer want, but they don't know what to do with.  When I put it out there that I will take old jeans - I usually get a ton of old jeans.  (Thanks!!)

I have found a new use for these old items.  Rag dolls!  I have been on a roll lately sewing these lovely ladies up.  I adore their zombie like eyes.  I think they are especially creepy and cute lined up together.  I love that I'm putting some old clothes to new use.

These 3 are all made from the same pattern.  I designed them, then designed and made the pattern and then made the dolls.  I have other designs that I haven't yet made, so there's sure to be more rag dolls!

Custom Dolls

I can also make a doll with your favorite t-shirt, jeans, skirt, etc.!  Just contact me and we can figure it out!  What fun.

{Note:  Due to small parts, these dolls are not recommended for small children as they could cause a choking hazard!}

These three gals are available in my Etsy Shop and in my shop at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER (342 N. Queen St, Rear Warehouses, Lancaster, PA)

Recycling Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are one of the biggest problems that are polluting our earth right now, and if we don’t start to change our habits it’s only going to get worse.  

What can we do about it?  Sure, we can reuse them for garbage or scoop up poop, but if you don't have a dog, they can pile up pretty quickly.  I'll be sharing some ideas for what do to do with them here.

I also hope that we can all get in a better habit of remembering to take a canvas bag with us to the grocery store.  This is something I remember to do “most” of the time, but certainly not every time.  I want to be better about that!

I’ll also be trying out at least one new craft and I’ll share the steps and my results.  Plus, I have a new product that I'll be sharing here.

To give you an idea of how people are upcycling plastic bags, here is a treasury I made that contains all items made with recycled plastic bags!  

In what ways do you reuse plastic bags? 

'Yeah, That's a Plastic Bag!' by BBBellezza

Believe it or, all the items in this treasury are made from recycled plastic bags. Plastic bags are a huge problem and these folks are trying to be part of the solution!

Bacon 'n' Eggs Tote ... saribellum $30.00	Recycled Plastic Passport Co... OfLandAndSea $13.00	Recycled Sewing Kit -- with ... coyotecraft $22.50	Hearts - All Recycled, Red a... PaleHorseStudi... $14.00
Eco Lariat Necklace cynthiadelgiud... $60.00	CROCHET RECYCLED PLASTIC ... stephsyaya $7.25	Remarkably Practicable 35-01 arnym $89.99	Recycled plastic bag basket ... bagsagain $13.00
Recycled Plastic Bag Wallet Bece $6.00	Clock Made from Recycled Pla... Decelerate $25.00	bracelet from recycled plast... ravenhuff $5.00	The Green Bag treehuggertote... $28.00
Grocery Tote DIY Plastic Bag... mollyjwalter $14.00	Green and Gold Leaf Earrings factorygirlsho... $15.00	3 Upcycled Plastic Bag Flowe... ffflowers $18.50	Recycled Notebook Journal wi... lauraprentice $15.00

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