Using Recycled Items In Your Crafts
It's amazing all the different things that can be recycled and used in your crafts. You can use stamps, beautiful letters and old wrapping paper for collages. Old newspapers can be used for paper mach?. Even broken plates and tiles can be use for a mosaic. The possibilities are endless.
One easy and fun way to get started is by recycling glass jars, canisters or bottles. It's simple, but allows you to create something beautiful and useful for every day living.
In Paris, I use to salvage glass yogurt jars. They were perfect containers for votive candles. These have been a bit harder for me to find since moving to Los Angeles. However, thrift stores can be a great place to find little jars like these.
To decorate your glass jar or container, all you need is glue, like glossy Mod Podge, a cheap bristle brush (sold at Home Depot), a little water to moisten the brush from time to time, and some type of paper.
The paper can be tissue paper, Unryu (Indian or Chinese) handmade paper, or printed paper like you find at Michaels, Pearls or Blicks. You don't need to get the most expensive kind. The paper just needs to be slightly transparent, containing visible fibers if possible, and of course, in colors that you enjoy.
Also, don't get glossy paper as it could be difficult to glue.
To finish your jar, you can also get some raphia. There are lots of different colors available, so you shouldn't have any trouble matching your paper. You can also use big holed beads of varying colors with the raphia as an added touch.
To start your project, cut your paper into squares and glue them onto the jar until it's completely covered. You'll need to put glue under the paper, and on top of the paper. This will keep air bubbles from getting trapped under the paper.
If you want, you can even glue the paper on the bottom of the jar, letting it dry upside down.
Don't worry if the glue is a milky color. It'll dry clear and act as a varnish over the paper. The glossiness of the glue will also give the paper some feeling of depth.
Once you're done gluing, you'll need to let the jar site for at least 24 hours. If the weather is wet, then you may need to let it sit for an extra day. It'll look dry very soon, but it isn't. It needs to dry under the paper too.
Once your jar is dry, you can knot some raphia around the neck of the jar. This will give it a finished look. If you like the Bohemian style, you can thread your beads onto the raphia, and knot the raphia at the ends to keep the beads in place.
When you're all done, make sure you sign your piece on the bottom. Use a Sharpie or some other permanent ink maker.
Now you're ready for a votive candle (or whatever else you're putting in the jar or container). When you light it, just be careful of the raphia. Of course, always keep an eye on a burning candle.
As you can see, this is an easy way to decorate glass jars, canisters and bottles and do a little recycling at the same time. If you want some variations, you can also use dried flowers instead of the paper, or in addition to the paper.
Depending on the size and shape of your jar, you can use it for holding candies, keeping your jewelry or (for bottles) as a carafes or a vase for a single flower.
There are millions of ways to use your glass containers. And when you're tired of crafting, go shopping at the flea market to search for more supplies. After all, isn't that half the fun?
Yael Bolender is a crafter that has a passion for recycling. She loves to take old items and give them new life. Her focus is womens accessories and home decor.
A Look at Sheet Metal Stamping
Sheet metal stamping is the system wherein metal sheets are used for producing final products. When a metal sheet is inserted into the die or the press, it is molded into the required shape and size. Metal sheets of only a certain thickness can be inserted into metal stamping machines.
Metal Fabrication Processes - What is CNC Punching?
There are several ways to create holes in steel. One method is called milling, which involves drilling. Another method is called stamping, involving a punch press. Still another method utilizes a process called CNC Punching, which involves computer aided positioning systems to quickly and efficiently create metal parts. While other methods such as laser and waterjet cutting are valuable for other reasons, this informative article addresses CNC Punching in depth.
Metal Stamping Company Buys New Presses
Component Engineers Inc. is proud to add three new power presses to the plant, taking the total in the facility to 38. One of the presses added is a Minster, 75-ton straight side, which is the third of its kind at the CEI facility. The other two presses are Minster 32-tons, also straight sided.
An Introduction to Metal Stamping Machines
Metal stamping machines are used to give the exact shape and parameters to the metal products. When a metal sheet is inserted into the metal stamping machine, it can be molded into the exact shape.
What is Metal Stamping?
Metal stamping is the process of cutting and shaping metal alloys into specific forms, especially to be used as components for large machinery or structures. Metal sheets can be molded into different pre-determined shapes for use as regular products like pans and cans.
The Process of Precision Metal Stamping
Precision metal stamping is the process of making 3-dimensional metal parts, lettering and other embossing. This is a kind of metal stamping used mostly for decorative purposes. It is similar to normal metal stamping, which is the process of molding metal into different shapes and sizes.
The Custom Metal Stamping Process
Today, manufacturing has embraced a wide range of advanced technologies that have enabled the reduction of turnaround time considerably. As a result, demand on the metal stamping industry has also increased as the components have to be made to be exactly suitable to the final product.
The Important Function of Metal Stamping Dies
Metal stamping dies are the devices used in metal stamping machines. Each metal stamping machine can have one or more than one dies depending on the kind of machine. Dies are the main components in metal stamping machines that do the actual casting, punching, cutting and shaping of the metal sheet.
Precision Machining
Precision machining involves producing of metal parts, which are extremely intricate and are mainly made from thin metal sheets. Besides precision metal parts are often custom made for specific purposes. However there are distinct techniques such as chemical etching, metal stamping, and RF shielding for producing precision metal parts.
Precision Metal Stamping
Precision metal stamping sounds like a difficult process to describe. The main goal of this article is to simplify the intricate details of this process.
Rubber Stamping: From Maya Indians to Scrapbooking
Who would have thought that your scrapbooking and card making had a connection to the Maya Indians? Rubber Stamping is certainly one of the fastest growing hobbies today, and for good reason. With its inexpensive materials and creative versatility, rubber stamping provides millions with hours of fun and creativity.
Micro Stamping Earns Internationally Recognized Certification for its Environmental Management System
The Micro Stamping Corporation announced today that it has earned an internationally recognized certification for its Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS, which Micro Stamping developed for its design, manufacturing, and assembly operations, has been certified to the standard ISO 14001:2004 and was approved by an independent accredited auditing agency (Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance).
Gaston Pelletier Celebrates 40 Years of Service at Connecticut Spring and Stamping Corporation
Gaston Pelletier the Director of Lean Manufacturing celebrates 40 years of service with Connecticut Spring and Stamping Corporation.
Rubber Stamping - Buying Great Rubber Stamps
Years ago there was only one option for rubber stamps and the crafter. The typical wood mounted rubber stamp. Many of the old rubber stamps also came with handles like business stamps today, while others had simple pegs. Thanks to the growth of this hobby, you can now buy many different types of stamps ranging from mounted, unmounted, clear acrylic, foam, individually, or by the sheet. Just a quick check online will show many companies who sell stamps in all of the above types. You might wonder what the best type of stamp to buy is. While it would be wonderful to be able to give a black and white answer, each type has applications that they perform better than the others. We'd like to take the mystery out of what type of stamp to use, when, ...
Essential Rubber Stamping & Scrapbooking Supplies
Are you new to rubber stamping or a professional? The following supply list will assist the novice rubber stamp hobbyist and even the scrapbooker as well