In this post we will be looking at some fantastic upcycled ideas crafts which you can try yourselves at home. Upcycling is a great hobby for anyone and upcycled ideas which are crafts is a brilliant way to upcycle. Generally, we have all been seeing more and more amazing upcycles created from many different materials. However, some people may think that upcycling is all about upcycling furniture but there is much more to it than that. First, lets look into the actual definition of upcycling.
What is upcycling?
The meaning of upcycling is to reuse or modify and improve an item or material rather than let it go to waste. Although, in contrast to recycling, the key to upcycling is improving and increasing the value of the item or materials. Recycling is usually where the waste items/materials are broken down to create the same or a lower value item. Additionally, you can learn more about the meaning of upcycling on our other post; What is upcycling? Why is it important?
As the title suggests, in this post we will be looking at different upcycled ideas crafts which anyone can do. Certainly, upcycled ideas crafts are a great way to start upcycling and has many advantages over larger items like upcycling furniture. For example, when upcycling furniture you will need lots of space to keep different pieces of furniture. In addition to this, you will need to consider delivery fees and finding places to paint/work on the furniture. Alternatively, there are many different upcycling crafts to start your upcycling journey and in this post you will see many different examples.
First, we have an upcycle made by @handmadecharlotte with these chip/crisp bag butterflies. One of many great upcycled idea crafts, perfect for little ones to help with decorating. Also, used from materials that the majority of people would throw away without even considering an upcycle. Clearly, this shows how you can quite literally upcycle anything!
Here is an example of an upcycle from @anaaashman you can make with a plastic bottle and some other materials. A very cute little piggy bank made upcycled from materials which would otherwise be going to waste. Great work!
Upcycled ideas crafts – What things can be upcycled?
When it comes to upcycling there are so many different things that you can upcycle. Surprisingly, you can think of any material or item and it’s highly likely you could upcycle it. The most commonly upcycled items are usually furniture items such as chairs, tables, sideboards etc. and also many different ideas by upcycling different pieces of clothing. However, when it comes to upcycled ideas crafts we’ve seen and posted many on our instagram page, Upcycler Life. Crafts such as artwork made from egg boxes, wine/champagne bottles made into lights, old plastic toys made into art, old metal objects welded and form into art structures. Those were just a few of the hundreds of ideas of different things you can upcycle.
Next, you will find a true example of how quite literally anything can be upcycled. Here is a post by @purpleworldsart whose basketball bag design has shown some amazing outside of the box thinking. Great work!
Upcycled ideas crafts – What crafts can you make with recycled items?
As we said before, when it comes to upcycling the possibilities really are endless. We have seen many crafts from recycled items from cut up aluminium cans and rolled up newspapers/magazines to make artwork to pieces of fabric made into facemasks. You cannot find any limit to what upcycled ideas crafts you can do. If you are stuck for inspiration or have a few ideas but aren’t sure how to make them a reality, check out our forum. You will find many upcyclers with vast knowledge and experience across so many disciplines. If you want to see some projects our followers have made go to our instagram page, upcyclerlife.
In addition to this, check out this great craft upcycle by @luckymarysunshine. A project using many different materials which would normally go to waste and create a fantastically crafted version of a helicopter. A perfect upcycling project for kids to help out with too!
What is an upcycling project?
What items to upcycle?
First, an upcycling project is where you have an old or unused item or items that you plan to upcycle. You can upcycle anything and your upcycling project begins when you find something which needs upcycling. You can upcycle anything for instance from old pallets to old clothes, cutlery quite literally anything.
What upcycling project should you create?
Next, you will decide what you want to create from your old items. Of course, you will find many examples of upcycling projects on our forum and all over social media and the internet. If you haven’t upcycled anything before or you want to make a start on a new upcycling project then ask away on our forum. In addition, you will also find many tutorials and examples of so many different upcycles on social media and in some of our other blog posts. Also, when you have finished don’t forget to post your projects on the forum to help inspire others. And if you are posting on instagram don’t forget to use the hashtag #upcyclerlife for the chance to be featured on our page.
Here you will find another great upcycling project from @fiercecanary. Check out these handmade upcycled rose earrings made from reused beads. Another brilliant craft upcycle showing how much beauty can be created from materials and items that many people usually throw away.
Upcycled ideas crafts – How do you upcycle old things?
There are different techniques and ways in which you can start to upcycle old things. Clearly, it’s totally dependant on what you are upcycling. For example, if you wanted to upcycle old plastic toys into some cute jewellery then you will need some jewellery making tools and other bits to help. Here at upcycler life, we are building a forum with upcyclers from many different backgrounds with skills in many areas of upcycling. Given that, this will help many newbies to upcycling develop their knowledge and have people to any questions when beginning their next upcycling project. Therefore, if you are an experienced upcycler in your field then please don’t hesitate to join. Basically, it’s a totally free forum to help connect upcyclers together, help inspire one another and also somewhere to give and receive advice.
If you are a beginner please check out the forum and ask a question, I’m sure many people can help out with queries you may have. Hopefully you will have a better idea of what kind of project you want to start with and which forum to post on if you get stuck. Meanwhile if you are a more experienced upcycler then I hope you have gained some inspiration to work on a new area of upcycling or an idea for your next project and also help answer some forum questions if you have the time.
Please head on over to the forum to ask questions and also see our other blog posts on everything upcycling.
Furthermore, check out our instagram page @UpcyclerLife to see inspiring projects and #upcyclerlife for a chance of a feature.
