Synopses & Reviews
Corrugated Castle. Fancy Foil Fish Mobile. Paper Bead Bangles. Braided Rag Coasters. Old Shoe Flower Pots. Puppy Dog Sock Puppet. With a little imagination, just about anything we think of as trash can be transformed into an art project good enough to give as a gift or to keep and treasure yourself. Master crafter Laura C. Martin shows kids how to make art out of the paper, plastic, metal, and cloth we usually consign to the recycling bin or the garbage can.
The way Martin sees it, just about everything around us holds artistic possibilities. Plastic picnic plates can be cut up to make a bouquet of flowers that will never wilt (and don't need watering). Roll leftover gift wrap into tight tubes and cut it into small sections to make one of- a-kind beads. Decorate the sides of old paint cans with acrylic paint and tie sturdy rope to the handles to make a pair of stilts.
Along the way, Martin offers sidebars on the history of rubbish and profiles of artists whose medium is junk. She passes along important lessons about being a good steward of the Earth. But the lessons are light and fun--never preachy.
Fun for kids, perfect for involved and homeschooling parents, and ideal for schoolteachers who have seen their art supply budgets slashed, Recycled Crafts Box shows budding artists how to make something beautiful and save the planet at the same time.
Review
"Great for Earth Day or any day, this colorful, inviting, and well-organized book is a wonderful choice for instilling environmental awareness or encouraging creativity." -School Library Journal
"Discover hidden art supplies in your recycling bin with tips from "Recycled Crafts Box..." -Indianapolis Star
Synopsis
Don't toss those old sneakers into the garbage Fill them with potting soil and transform them into clever, eye-catching planters. This fun activity book features 40 inspiring projects that will have you turning faded blue jeans, worn-out sweaters, and grocery bags into beautiful and functional objects. From mobiles made from scraps of tinfoil to paint-can stilts, Laura C. Martin's engaging projects will not only get you crafting, but help develop a heightened awareness of the importance of minimizing waste.
About the Author
Laura C. Martin has been writing about nature, crafts, and gardening for 25 years. She has served as garden editor for Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles and Georgia magazines. She is the author of 18 books, most recently The Art and Craft of Pounding Flowers, which was featured on the Discovery Channel. Her lectures and workshops on crafts and gardening delight audiences across the United States.