7 Eco-Friendly
DIY Summer Crafts for Creative Adults (and Kids!)
by Beth Buczynsk
It's mid-summer. The days are
long and hot, and the nights, while cooler, can still be pretty hot. When
people are hot and bored, things escalate to cranky pretty quickly. If you're
already running out of activities to keep you and the little ones occupied,
we've got some some ideas that could spell relief. Summer is the perfect time
for crafting projects that might be too big or too messy for inside the house.
Gather your supplies, spread a blanket on the lawn or brush off the picnic
table, and pick your favorite from this list of eco-friendly DIY projects. Some
are more intensive than others, but all will leave you with a completed item
that you'll definitely want to show off to the neighbors.
Tin Can Table Lantern
Planning a barbecue or an al
fresco dinner party? These recycled tin can lanterns are an easy way to add
some sparkle without stretching your decorating budget. The materials are
practically free, and the tiny holes create gorgeous scattered light patterns
on your table when you drop a votive candle inside.
Knotted String Hanging Planter
Hanging plants purchased from
the gardening store can cost $20 or more a piece. Why spend all that money when
everything you need for a delightful hanging planter is probably sitting in
your recycling bin right now? Follow this tutorial to learn how jam jars,
plastic takeout containers, yogurt cups and a little bit of string can all be
repurposed into a modern and functional hanging planter.
Plastic Bag Hammock
I have lots of reusable bags
and most of the time I remember to bring them along to the store. Somehow
plastic shopping bags still creep in. If you don’t have a convenient place to
drop them off for recycling, this DIY hammock chair might be the perfect
solution. All you need to make one is time (you’ll need to braid each plastic
bag to make it sturdy), about 500 plastic bags (ask your friends to donate
theirs if your collection is too small), two spring link carabiners and rope.
The hammock chair has been tested to hold about 220 pounds.
Mason Jar Herb Garden
Windowsills, porches, and fire
escapes are great for starting tiny urban gardens, but they can only hold so
much. And why should passersby have all the fun of watching your plants grow?
This Mason Jar Herb Garden is the perfect way to increase your growing capacity
while at the same time bringing the joy of live plants to your kitchen.
Mini BBQ Grill
Are you a fan of the curiously
strong mint? If so, you’ve got the perfect base material for a curiously tiny
BBQ grill. Just the right size for a single shrimp or marshmallow, this
adorable DIY grill can be made from a single Altoids Sours tin, two salvaged
computer fan guards and a handful of nuts and screws.
Homemade Terrarium
You can’t always get outside to
enjoy nature (sometimes it’s far away and sometimes the weather just won’t
cooperate). So instead of going to nature, why not bring nature inside with
you? Terrariums can be made with either leafy plants life ferns, or with
water-storing varieties, such as succulents or cacti. Because terrarium plants
need little soil and water, they can be made from containers of all sizes. This
post has pictures and instructions for 10 amazing terrariums that are perfect
to keep or give as gifts.
Upcycled Bird Feeder
A bird feeder placed outside a
window is a great way to observe nature without disrupting it. Once the word
spreads, you might even find your feeder visited by some of the lesser known
winged inhabitants of your neighborhood! In this simple how-to, we show you how
to create a fun, recycled urban bird feeder that you can hang from your fire
escape or windowsill. It costs next to nothing and anyone can do it—all you
need to do is dig through your recycling bin and follow eight easy steps!