Despite our best efforts to be a little more green and protect our planet, it can feel overwhelming to know what to do with discarded items. Do you throw out more garbage that will only continue to accumulate in our landfills or recycle that in and of itself still requires water and energy to break down recyclable items. The reality is it doesn’t have to be complicated to keep an environmentally friendly home and community for that matter. Upcycling may sound like a new catchphrase but has been around for quite a few decades and we have all been doing it in varying degrees in our lives. Remember using an old tire as a swing or in the 1930’s when food sacks were turned to dresses? Granted we may not have much need to repurpose old tires and the likelihood of not being laughed at wearing a food sack dress is remote. However, one item bought in many households are eggs. The cardboard cartons they come in can be upcycled as well to serve a multitude of uses in the home. Just think what others items we use in our lives can be upcycled. It is this small step that will eventually make huge difference in making the world a little cleaner for future generations.The middle part of the flower is the actual hollow part of the carton turned upside down. Paint with acrylic paints to the desired color.
Take the hollow part of the carton and cut it in to the shape you want your flowers to take. Paint them as colorful as possible. Once dried, use hot glue to attach them to a cardboard frame.
Recycled iron rods and iron base hold the three piece lantern, giving it the dancing effect.
Paint cardboards first. To make these roses, one will cut the shape out with each flower from four, five to six petals. Wrap each cutout like a bud and add the next one until you complete the rose. A flower punch creates the leaves at the stem. The actual stem is floral wire.
German Enno de Kroon paints his creations on egg cartons to add a distorted result.
Tempura paints were used to make these colorful hen egg holders. Do at least two coats of paints, particularly for the white part of the hen.
This soft lighting is achieved by adding lights to the egg carton tulips.
Take a mirror and glue it to a larger frame. Hot glue flowers made out from cardboards. Let it dry and enjoy your new mirror.
What a great and inexpensive way to teach kids to garden. Take the egg cardboard, cut in half and fill it with soil. Add the seeds of what you want to grow. Water as needed.
This project may take time but the end result will be worth it. Using a balloon and paper mache to create the base will be the only non-egg carton used in the process.
Three to six cartons, and Christmas lights will be required to make this gorgeous lamp.
If you have 1000 cartons lying around and a whole lot of paint, you may want to consider creating this breathtaking flower cascade.
Add soil and seeds to the cartons. If you tend to forget to water your flowers, put the carton in a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect.
This is such a fun and creative craft to do with your kids. Use watercolors for your cardboard flowers, beads and yarn to make your chimes.
Using cartons beyond crafts to furniture. These pieces give a modern look to any home.
