This page is dedicated to designs, patterns, and creations I’ve discovered along the way. Feel free to give them a try and let me know how it worked for you!
If you have a great idea to share that 1) could be useful to my community, 2) that upcycles easily-found materials (plastic bags or pouches, plastic soda bottles, glass bottles, candy wrappers, lollypop sticks, small waxed cardboard cartons, etc) and 3) results in projects that improve their lives or generate income, please share with me using the Contact Form below!
45 Ways to Recycle Plastic Bottles
http://www.designrulz.com/product-design/2012/11/45-ideas-of-how-to-recycle-plastic-bottles/
Turn Beer or Wine Bottles Into Glasses
http://seriouslyforreal.com/more/turn-your-beer-bottles-into-glass-cups-5-easy-steps/
Tutorial for Fusing Plastic Bags
http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/05/long-overdue-fusing-plastic-bag.html
Fused Plastic Tote Bag
This idea an also be used for quilts, placemats, jewelry, kites, etc
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=187283.0#axzz2dq2q2ke0
Crocheting Plastic Bags Into Baskets, Hats, Flowers, and More
http://www.plasticbagcrafts.com/
Braided Rugs From Plastic Bags
Other braided items could include sleeping mats (perfect for Peace Corps Volunteers!), sitting mats for kids, doormat or shoe mats for dirty/wet shoes
http://scraphacker.com/plastic-bag-crafty/
Build Your Own “Top Bar” Model Beehive
*Note: The most important part of the entire box is that the ‘bar’ width dimensions be exact. Doing so provides the accurate ‘beespace’ inside. If it is not accurate the bees will not want to live in it.
Plans to Build a “Top Bar” Model Beehive
Build Your Own Solar Dryer
*Note – Though instructions refer to use in the southern hemisphere the same principles apply. Adjust accordingly to your location on the globe. 🙂
Eco-Friendly Crocheted Tote Bag
(from a fellow PCV in Thailand)
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/how-tuesday-how-to-make-plarn-crochet-an-eco-friendly-tote-b/
Eco-friendly crocheted tote bag made from reused plastic bags!
Homemade Internet Antenna
If you have a weak wifi signal give this a try!
Coming Soon…Prepare your own beewax skin salve!
Somewhere in Paraguay 