Scraps

It seem like I have been thrifty all my life.   Saving things to be used later on.   Taking a little bit and making it stretch(hopefully).  I use to find scraps/bits of anything at thrift shops, garage sales, even on the street, trying to make something out of nothing.   I still do.   I would like impart some of scraps tips with you.  Some of my tips might be old hat.  Some might be new. 

1. I make my own business cards which are perforated.  I notice the leftovers were perfect sizes for message and words when I make my greeting cards.

2.  When I am punching holes in paper(Ihave the hole punch that has a  little catch all, so it keeps the dots together., I keep the leftover holes for additional decoration for my crafts projects.  Cheaper than buying confetti. 

3.  I have started walking to get my self into shape. I find interesting things along the way.  I found what looks like part of an old hanger, which happens to be plastic.  The shape reminds me of Egypt writing.  Just a quick clean and I have a template.

4. I collect old ceral boxes.   I use them to make chipboard letters and embellishments.  You can use just about any food box.  Recycleing and no need to buy chip board letters.   You can do it one of two ways.   Paint the box and draw your shape on the other side or apply decorative paper and draw your shape onthe other side.  Both ways work just as well.

5.Buy old puzzles pieces at a trhrift store or garage sale. I use them to make earring, add decoration to greeting cards or other craft projects.   They are also good to make paper pulp with.  Try it.  It might take several days for the fibers to break down.

6. When I go the store I always head to the clearance section.  Once I found a pice of foam for 10 cents, only because someone had stepped on it.  Don't let that bother you.  You can either glue that side down or cover the spot with other decorations.

7. Don't throw away old earrings.  They are the start of a great necklace, bracelet, ankelet a free for all non-matching necklace(my favorite kind).

8. I take the cards out of magazine to use like chip board.  Not only do they give my greeting cards a little mor stabiity, They are free.  Because I visit doctors  offices,waiting rooms, they are free for taking.  I can paint them add, other paper to them and they are FREE.

9.Leftove material from sewing projects(I do not sew) can me used as embellishments.  Even is the edge is ragged, use can always add ribbin, old earring, paper to cover up the edges.

And finally

10. I find a lot my beads at thrift shops.  I love working with wooden beads.  Sometimes they are not in the best condition.  My husband brought me a portable dremel.  If there is a piece missing I drill a hole on the other side. Slide an piece of wire and I'm good to go.  Or if paint is on a bead, no problem, just keep adding paint or markers until you get something you like.  I found these two black wooden rings and the bottom of a barrel.  They were free of cours.  Both of them had what look like paint.  I just continued to dab paint (which was copper color) on the reamaining pieces.  I used copper and black to beads to finish the necklace. Turn out great.

See scraps are not meant to be thrown away  Use them to your advantage and you will come out with something unexpected and pretty.  If you want to hear some tips email me atJetr46@aol.com

1 Comments | Post Feedback

I enjoyed your post and thanks for the tips. If you are able to, please post a pic of the crafts you made from scraps.

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