Earth Day Crafts

Turn junk mail into jewelry, art and more with these easy to make crafts.

Junk Mail Silhouette
Your friends will never believe the cute picture on your wall was once an ad for toothpaste.

You need:

  • Flower PDF which you can download below
  • Catalog pages (look for interesting patterns and colors)
  • Scissors and/or an X-Acto knife.
  • Fade resistant paper
  • Glue
  • Paintbrush

Click here to download the PDF:

Directions:

1.    Print and cut stencil.

2.    Trace stencil onto a catalog page and carefully cut it out. For added interest, trace stencil onto several different catalog pages, which you can then cut out and reassemble.  For example, use the flowerpot from one page, the stem and leaves from another and the flower from a third page.

3.    Use a paintbrush and glue to affix flower to fade resistant paper.

4.    Frame if desired.

Paper Mache Bowl
Give spare change a new home with this decorative bowl.

You need:

  • Newspaper or catalog pages ripped into small pieces
  • Mod Podge
  • Bowl with a smooth bottom (to be used as your mold)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Paint (optional)

Directions:
1.    Wrap the outside of bowl with aluminum foil.  Try to smooth foil down as much as possible and tuck edges into the center.

2.    Flip bowl upside down and set it on a stand such as a sturdy glass or jar.

3.    Cover bowl with catalog pages and Mod Podge. Be sure to smooth out each piece and overlap edges.  Continue this step until you have about 3-4 layers around the bowl.

4.    Let stand for 72 hours.

5.    When bowl is completely dry, pull the original bowl out from under the paper and remove aluminum foil.

6.    Paint if desired.

Thank you to Jessica Jones for sharing this idea!

Catalog Beads
Instead of ordering a necklace through a catalog, make your necklace with a catalog.

You need:

  • Catalogs, mailers or other junk mail items
  • Paint (optional)
  • Mod Podge
  • Pencil

Directions:

1.    Cut mailers into 4 x 1 inch triangles.

2.    Wrap triangles around a pencil and secure at the tip with glue.

3.    Remove bead from pencil and set aside to dry.

4.    Paint if desired.

5.    Cut beads into desired size and seal with a layer of Mod Podge.

Alphabet Magnets
You need:

  • Dominoes
  • Catalogs
  • Mod Podge
  • Magnet tape

Directions:

1.    Look through catalogs to find appealing letters.

2.    Glue letters to smooth surface of dominoes and seal with Mod Podge.

3.    Affix magnet tape to the back of each tile.

  Who We Are       NFP Support       Magazine       Programs       Donate    

X