Genius Upcycled Crafts

38 Genius Upcycling Ideas – Easy DIY Trash-to-Treasure Crafts (goodhousekeeping.com)

Upcycle This!

DIY Faux Copper Air Planter

Don’t let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you’re done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters.

What You’ll Need

  • 6 plastic straws
  • thin, flexible floral wire
  • copper spray paint
  • air plants
  • needle nose pliers
DIY Faux Copper Air Planter

DIY Faux Copper Air Planter

Don’t let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you’re done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. – they make great gifts.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Cut Straws

DIY Faux Copper Air Planter

DIY Faux Copper Air Planter

Don’t let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you’re done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. – they make great gifts.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Cut three 7-inch straws, three 5-inch straws and three 2.5-inch straws.

Create First Triangle

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Jalynn Baker

Image 1

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Jalynn Baker

Image 2

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Jalynn Baker

Image 3

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Jalynn Baker

Image 4

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

DIY Faux Copper Air Planter

Thread a long piece of wire through two 7-inch straws, leaving about 30 inches of excess wire on one end (image 1). Use needle nose pliers to create a bend in the wire between the two straws (image 2). Thread a 2.5-inch straw onto the short side of the wire, bending the wire between it and the 7-inch straw to form a triangle (image 3). Twist the open ends of wire together to close the isosceles triangle (image 5).

Make the Top Pyramid

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Jalynn Baker

Image 1

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Slide the long end of the wire back up through the first 7-inch straw (image 1) and thread another 7-inch straw onto the same wire, bending the wire between the two straws (image 2). Then, bend the excess wire at the end of the straw to hold it in place.

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Jalynn Baker

Image 1

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Jalynn Baker

Image 2

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Jalynn Baker

Image 3

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Jalynn Baker

Image 4

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Image 1

Thread a 2.5-inch straw onto the same wire, to the bend (image 1). Bend the wire, then thread it back through the first 2.5-inch piece, connecting the two 2.5-inch straws and creating half of the pyramid base (images 2 & 3). The two wires should now meet. Bend the long wire at the corner, then thread another 2.5-inch piece onto it, creating a triangular base (image 4). Wrap the long wire around one corner of the base to secure (image 5).

Make the Bottom Pyramid

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

JalynnBaker

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

JalynnBaker

Thread two 5-inch straws onto the long wire, bending the wire in-between each straw to create a triangle (image 1). Connect the triangle to the base by threading the wire back through one of the 2.5-inch pieces (image 2).

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

JalynnBaker

Image 1

Don't let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you're done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. - they make great gifts.

Thread the final 5-inch piece onto the wire (image 1), bending the wire to hold it in place. Thread the wire back up through one of the other 5-inch straws and secure wire to the base by twisting the excess wire together (image 2).

Finish It Up

DIY Faux Copper Air Planter

DIY Faux Copper Air Planter

Don’t let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you’re done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. – they make great gifts.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Cut off excess wire, clamping the raw edges with pliers to avoid snagging. Attach another piece of wire to the top of the planter for hanging, then paint with copper spray paint.

DIY Faux Copper Air Planter

DIY Faux Copper Air Planter

Don’t let those plastic straws end up in a landfill! When you’re done slurping up your iced coffee, save your straws to make a few of these gorgeous faux copper air planters. P.S. – they make great gifts.

Photo by: Jalynn Baker

Jalynn Baker

Place an air plant (Tillandsia) in the middle base of the planter, hang and enjoy! When your plant’s ready for water, take it out of the base, soak thoroughly in a bowl of lukewarm water and sit it upside down on a paper towel to dry.

Upcycle~ Holder

Tennis Ball Helper

It’s always good to have a little help around the house. That’s why we love this handy tennis ball helper. Use him to hold your keys, mail, pen. Really anywhere you need an extra hand, erm, mouth.

To make:

Cut a slit in a tennis ball using a box cutter or sharp knife. Add rivets or google eyes. Hang him on the wall by a nail or suction cup in the back of his ‘head’.

Upcycle Ideas for Camping

Camp Hacks for Fire

Fire Starters

Camping hacks - fire starters

Make your own fire starters with laundry lint, toilet rolls and newspaper. Simply stuff the laundry lint into the toilet rolls and wrap with newspaper. Twist the ends, or secure with twine.

Or, you can make a briquette fire starter with an egg carton and charcoal!

Camping hacks - fire starters

Source: Sew Many Ways

Mason Jar Matches

Camping Hacks - Mason Jar Matches

These mason jar matches are a great way to keep your matches visible and dry! Cut the strike pad off the original box and glue it to the mason jar lid or use a piece of sandpaper.

Source: From Like To Love

Camping Hacks for Lighting

Milk Jug Light

Camping hacks - milk jug light

This camping hack is perfect for creating ambient light. Strap a headlamp to a jug of water. You could also reuse milk jugs to create this.

Source: Listorama

Camping Hacks for the Kitchen

Kitchen Organizer

Camping hacks - kitchen organizer

Shoe caddies are great for organizing lots of things. This camping hack is great for keeping your kitchen organized. Keep everything you need visible and ready to use.

Source: Lifehacker

Camping Hacks for Food

Eggs in a Bottle

Camping hacks - eggs in a bottle

Eggs are great for camp breakfast. Mix up your eggs in a bottle at home to save space and save on mess.

Source: Lifehacker

Pancake Batter Bottle

Camping hacks - pancake batter bottle

The pancake batter bottle is another great idea for the camping hacks list. Reuse a bottle that has a nice pour top. Just make sure to thoroughly clean it first. Then mix up your batter and funnel it in.

Source: Wiki How

Spice Boxes

Camping hacks - tic tac spice boxes

This camping hack is genius! Reuse Tic Tac boxes to keep your spices nice and organized. Ask your friends to save their boxes for you and you’ll have a collection in no time!

Or, you can use a pill box for your spices:

Camping hacks - pill box spices

Source: Seattle Sundries

Camping Hacks for Hygiene

Soap Pouch

Camping hacks - soap pouch

This soap pouch is a great way to transport your soap and it doubles as a loofah! You can make several pouches from 1 towel. Make a few and give them as gifts!

Source: Whimsy Love

Pop-up Garbage/Recycling

Camping hacks - garbage/recycling

Have one of those pop-up laundry hampers? Bring it camping! It’s the perfect way to keep your garbage and recycling from spilling all over the place.

Source: Camping Kitchen

Toilet Paper Holder

Camping hacks - toilet paper holder

This camping hack will keep your TP dry and visible. Cut a slit into the side of an empty coffee container. Add a hole at the top and bottom so you can string your container for hanging. Add a roll of toilet paper and feed it through the slit.