Easy, cheap way to get tons of materials

A lot of people don't realize that you can get SO many materials from your house. Basically, all I use in my crafts (that don't include sewing) are things I find in my house. If you find any cartons, use the caps to make a necklace, or the actual carton to make a bag.Also, when I want materials, I just ask my friends to give me their old magazines, gum cases, bottlecaps, or paper clips, and I can make a lot out of that. This should help you make a ton of crafts without paying for anything. Happy

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7 replies since 2nd June 2010 • Last reply 2nd June 2010

Reply #1:

me too! honestly, i was "upcycling" before the term had been coined.

now, if only i could randomly find a cache of swarovski hangin' out in the apartment.... ;)

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Reply #2:

Yeah,Im doing the same since the day I started to craft.Where I live,there is only one craft store and its soooo pricey!So I use what I have!And I noticed I wear and use the stuff that are upcycled more then "craft shop stuff". And its a better challenge too,then buying all the stuff.
I saw these sets in the craft store-you get a cellphone hanger,3 colors of beads,wire and a pattern.Wheres the fun in that?

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Reply #3:

i do this too! i hoard everything, hidden someplace in my room, hoping it will come in useful, and it usually does!! plus i cant exactly afford to spend too much on crafts anyways so its perfect!

i got some material from my nan a while back and use it for practising my (amateur-ish!!) skills on the sewing machine... it was great, and didnt cost a thing!

exactly, violetta, thats pretty lame. theres no creativity involved at all! :/

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Reply #4:

I'm trying this out, I like the idea of making funky stuff from normal stuff found in the house, then it's not wasted Happy

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Reply #5:

Don't forget about things you can find outside, too!
If you live in an older town like I do, if you dig a bit, you can find broken terra cotta pieces from the old plumbing that got replaced.
Twigs and tree parts can be used for almost anything... especially if you have wood-carving tools.
If you find cool rocks, they can be cleaned and used for fabric weights when you're using a rotary cutter, and so on and so forth.

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Reply #6:

I have been doing this for years and years since I was in Campfire girls! I have taught my daughter the same thing. That nearly everything is re-usable! She loves getting our cereal boxes and such, she is in the middle of making a Barbie house with everything she finds. She made a table and chairs with the thinger they put in the middle of pizza and caps from two liter bottles. We have made a pond for the barbies with clear bags from chips we painted them and glue them to some cardboard crinkled up and glued some rocks around it. So cute. all you need is your creativity!

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Reply #7:

I'm a recycler. I can't pass a margarine tub, empty bottle or box without eyeing it up for it's crafting potenial Happy

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