Sunday, January 8, 2012

How To Display The Recycle Way

A great collection of display ideas for your shop, trade show, exhibit or home


Not only are these upcycle ideas money saving but they are unique.  Creative displays can add character to any area. Whether you are looking for ways to perk up a craft stand, a store shelf, a second hand shop, a trade show booth or just want to display your favorite collection in your home, these ideas are bound to spark some creativity!

Try to imagine using every day items to display collectables or special merchandise. The sky is the limit as to what you can use. It's easy to find discarded suitcases, cribs, ladders, wine racks, hanging baskets, drawers and other great upcycle-able items at swap shops, recycle centers, even your own home. Add a little imagination and you can have a display that will add charm and dazzle.

Upcycle ideas that are sure to be attention getters:


The old suitcase can display anything from paper goods to clothing items.  here they used a clothesline theme to hang things.  Old suitcases can add lots of charm to a vintage store or antique shop.



In this case they just drape things on the suitcase:


from http://furiousshirley.com a frame converted to a jewelry rack using a screen. Hinge several together and they are great space savers.


Hinged frames from http://www.thepixelboutique.com/

From http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/ use cork on a framed board to hold jewelry.  Charming.

Twigs!  This one is cheap and interesting for ornaments, cards, jewelry and other small items you can hang with string or hang with clips.


from http://www.encorebabyregistry.com A crib side.  Cribs can have a lot of uses.  Hang from the ceiling, put against a wall or put two sides together like a folding screen.  Hang linens, scarves, jewelry etc.


From http://www.encorebabyregistry.com another great crib idea.  Use the springs to display most anything!


From http://www.myrepurposedlife.net another great crib idea--use some chalkboard paint and you have a very creative changeable sign for your store or booth!  Just hinge the tops together.

From  http://auntiekate.wordpress.com hanging rods display clothing items and accessories easily.  Simple to make from pipe or poles of any kind.  This version looks high end and streamlined.  


From http://con-tain-it.typepad.com Wine racks with glasses or jars.  Good for long thin items like eyeglasses, pens, etc.


From http://containerstore.ugc.bazaarvoice.com curtain rod and shower hooks a no brainer for scarves and ties.


This screen of scarves is a nice look.  Can be made from chair rungs or cribs.


From upcyclemania.com small items can easily be displayed with vintage cans or hanging wire kitchen racks. You can also stack kitchen pots, plant pots, etc in this same way using a metal or wood pole. 


This very unusual belt idea comes from http://www.swirlmarketing.com.  A fun way to use old handles.  Attach them to boards in a haphazard arrangement.


One of my all time favorites from http://www.Planetpalsblog.com vintage buttons on screws to make fun and fab hangers for jewelry, hats, purses, more


The hanging ladder has many uses. Suspend it from the ceiling,  add "s" hooks and you can hang anything from purses to pots.  http://kristancunningham.com/gallery/do-it-lovelier/ladder.jpg


From http://blog.diggerslist.com/ an old drying rack.  Drying racks, old or new, offer great display options.


Also from thebeehivecottage the old drying rack displays linens.  What else can you display?  Scarves, clothing, socks, bags.



From planetpalsblog.com random drawers are a great way to display just hang them on a wall.  Or better yet have a table surface and drawer combo-just keep them in the furniture and open the drawers.


Lastly, from http://www.emerlyearts.blogspot.com a hat tree repurposed to a display from a wrought iron decorator tree.


So, next time your looking to display something or solve a storage problem , think out of the box and rack up some savings, by repurposing something instead of buying new. 

© jag upcyclemania.com





Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Art of Recycled Christmas Trees

Here are some unique alternatives to the Christmas tree made with recycled materials:



From Novotel in Hong Kong the Bottle Christmas tree


The light bulb Christmas tree from instructables


The fence post Christmas tree from Inspiration for home

Christmas Tree made from Old Hard Disks
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Christmas Tree made from Recycled Cardboard
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Christmas Tree made from Recycled Glass Water Bottles
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Christmas Tree made from Mountain Dew Cans

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Christmas Tree made from Recycled Packaging Boxes
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Christmas Tree made from Electronic Junk
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Christmas Tree made from Recycled Beer Bottles
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Christmas Tree made from Recycled Wood Pallets
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Another  magazine tree from Salihan Crafts


Saturday, December 4, 2010

The R's of Gift Wrapping Save Green

This year when you are wrapping all those gifts be creative!  All the while, you will be saving Earth and saving GREEN.  Use reusable bandanas, scarves, dishtowels, shopping bags, baskets, containers and other creative options to package up your precious presents.  Don't forget kids art work, music sheets, newspaper, vintage ads, brown paper bag etc.

Try covering a box in momentos and photos that pertain to a friend. Items from their favorite places or a trip you had together.  Adorn it with Moms buttons,  junk jewelry and pictures of her kids.  Think out of the box and into the person!

Not so creative?  Use old maps, recycled wrap, food boxes, food storage boxes, covered baking pans, or cans. Basically the sky is the limit.  Draw on it, cover it or just add a bow.

Here are some fun ideas to spark your creativity:



The newspaper wrap.  This is lovely!  Try using the funnies, too.

From Eyestigmatic.Blogspot jewelry containers

From Green Earth Goodies  Map Wrap


from Urban Woods Walker The juice box box

From Michelle Kaufman Recycle Art the wine rack.  There are many other upcycled wine rack ideas out there!
From  Katies Nesting Spot an upcycled chocolate box, tin or oatmeal container

A reusable shopping bag--add a bow!




Memory box by Just Picture This

Etsy
The furoshiki (wrapping cloth) originates from Japan Check out the tutorial at Instructables.

  


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Another cute upcycle idea...old patterns found on Flicker.

make boxes


Make your own boxes from Planetpals.com  Ideas and patterns to make these and many more.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Be A Sport And Recycle

People use their creativity to recycle and upcycle all kinds of things and make something useful and clever, so why not sporting goods!  So, next time you have some leftover sporting goods.  Think Upcycle. Even Re-cycle! You can be a winner.

Here are some fun samples of sporting goods, gone green, that deserve an olympic medal:

Upcycled Skis make a chalet warm 'n cozy with this coat rack from Trash to treasure

Bicycle gears are made for this clock...wonder if it ticks? By Liz on Etsy

By far one of my favorite Bike clocks. What turns the spokes or the hands? From Cool Material

 Hockey puck door knob scores big from Doorknob.com
Skateboard picnic table is a trick that won't have you doing a tailside

The classic bicycle planter.  This is one, one never tires of riding by

Another clever use for skateboards-perfect for an upstairs kids room that won't make them board. From Ecoscraps.com

The boat planter makes a garden that's smooth sailing.  From Kelley Loves Wordpress


This ski lounger is quite clever and colorful for Apres Ski from Epikski.com


The bike rim rack won't have your head spinning looking for a pan. Perfect for the bachelor home or college apartment. From Wordpress