We have a lot of birds that frequent our yard. We offer multiple bird feeders, bird baths, and bird houses (many of which are upcycling projects of mine), and I wanted to make a new one for them. Bird nesting material is something I wanted to make plentiful for them, and I had an idea of just how to do it.Read more ›
DIY Fire Starters from Household Waste

We’ve all been told to clean out the lint trays in our dryers to avoid a house fire. And for good reason- dryer lint burns like crazy! Which means it’s the perfect ingredient for DIY Fire Starters. And those things come in SUPER HANDY when you need to get a fire going, either in your fireplace or a fire pit outside. Read more ›
Farmhouse Lamp from a Wood Baluster

Many moons ago, I had spotted a gorgeous farmhouse lamp at a highfalutin antique shop in Cashiers, North Carolina. Constructed from an old porch baluster (the spindle’s more robust cousin), it was striking…and strikingly expensive. I went from defeated to determined, though, when Jon whispered to me in the shop, “We can make that.”Read more ›
Suet Feeder in a Coffee Mug

I love to feed the wild birds in my yard all year long, especially during the cold winter months. So I decided to make a suet feeder that would keep them fat, happy, and healthy through the cold winter. And to keep it extra interesting (and very Sadie-esque), I decided to try my hand at making homemade bird suet that I would pour in a coffee mug.
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Winter Scenes in Silver Plate

Ever since I put together this collection of ways to repurpose silver plate, I’ve been itching to add a new project to it. So, when I found these silver-plated goblets while thrifting, I decided they’d be fun to play with. And putting together winter scenes in the tarnished silver seemed perfect for this time of year.Read more ›
Craft Ideas with Vintage Fabric

Vintage fabric and linens are such a great source of material for anyone who enjoys fabric crafts. Whether you sew a lot or a little, there are lots of projects that put those retro linens to terrific reuse. And if you’re lucky enough to find a pretty bed sheet at the thrift store, then you’ll get a lot of yardage for very little cost. So, if you’ve been looking for some upcycle inspiration for tea towels, bed sheets, and other vintage fabric, then this collection is just what you’ve been waiting for.Read more ›
Upcycle Ideas for Craft Room Organization

Craft room organization is an upward battle for most crafters and makers. Paints, brushes, beads, notions- all these supplies (and so much more) get easily out of hand in a disorganized mess. Organizing and storing them is key to a crafter’s sanity and saves them from having to re-purchase supplies they already have (but got lost in the mess). These upcycled projects are a great way to get your craft supplies organized in a thrifty AND crafty way.Read more ›
Upcycling Ideas for Silver Plate

Most thrift stores are positively littered with the remnants of wedding registries from days gone by. In particular, stacks of silver plate (not to be confused with stamped sterling silver) are a pretty common sight at secondhand shops. Trays, platters, bread baskets, pitchers- there are just scads of it available at thrift shops, varying in price and quality. Thankfully, today’s crafters are finding fresh ways to repurpose those silver-plated items into new and exciting projects.Read more ›
Clever Ways to Reuse Picture Frames

The picture frame section at a thrift store is something I never pass up without a thorough inspection. Not only do I sometimes find unusual or eye-catching art for our home, but there are often interesting frames that can be repurposed into something completely new. Sometimes the repurpose is simple- used as a frame for other prints or photos. But there are also some really clever ways to repurpose and upcycle those picture frames in entirely new and unexpected ways.Read more ›