Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Recycled packaging

For me, creating packaging, tags and business cards from recycled materials is partly eco-friendly, partly cheap college student.

I think it's great to use up old materials that would be otherwise thrown out or recycled, when creating things people will most likely throw out anyway. That way, I can spread business cards all over campus and not worry about creating extra waste.

Here is an example of some of my cards, though I've lately been getting more creative by drawing insects and other animals on them:Each card is cut out from cardboard boxes, and hand drawn with sharpie markers. It takes a long time, but it's relaxing, I usually make them while I watch tv shows online.

And I've started having fun making tags. I got a tag punch which even cuts through cereal boxes! And I got my hands on some speedball speedycut rubber and a speedball carving set and I've gone to town.
I've made some more stamps, which I'm using along with pieces of plastic from packaging that would otherwise be thrown away, to make these (the middle stamp has my website):

And on that note I'd like to introduce my lastest patch: the earwig!

I had so much fun sewing this one with lime green thread, the colors make it seem like such a happy little earwig. You can find him for sale here.

For anyone who wants to be a bit more eco-friendly with their packaging, hope these tips help! You can find supplies just about anywhere, usually all you need are some scissors, markers and tape.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your tags and cards look marvelous, and I love that you are recycling! I've been thinking a lot this year about how I can use recycled packaging, and your ideas are great. :)

Anonymous said...

Great ideas, love your blog! I try to recycle in any way I can.

Jess (aka LittleBunny) said...

excellent tips! i think i need to find a stamp carving kit, your turned out so cute!
i have to be honest though. earwigs scare the crap out of me. and well....bugs in general.

Weird Bug Lady said...

I say go for it jess! I used speedball speedycut rubber, the small pieces are fairly inexpensive, and a speedball carving tool set.

BlenderBach said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BlenderBach said...

i LOVE the earwig patch!!

Anonymous said...

I love your eco friendly ideas! The cards with the sharpie markers are so cute!

Tara said...

nice tips! your patches are super cute! Though I am from Wisconsin where we have earwig invasions some summers! I shivered when I saw that patch, though it's still kinda cute :-)

Human Touch Designs said...

Great ideas - such fun items!

Jennifer said...

Your cards are too cute. What a great idea. Kudos to you for being green!

Anonymous said...

I love eco-friendly packaging. & finding new ways to recycle. :] LOVE the homemade stamps.

Unknown said...

What great ideas to save money & be environmentally friendly at the same time! Love the business cards the most.

Jess littlebunny.etsy.com said...

im so going to pick those up! i'll let you know how they turn out!

Captain Skulduggery Dug said...

I'm loving the business cards. I would be thrilled to be given one. Such a personal touch!

Tizzalicious said...

Your cards are so cute, and I REALLY love the tags!

Where did you get the stamp carving kit? I'd love to have one!

Weird Bug Lady said...

tizzalicious, it was at a craft store, just look for speedball cutters and speedycut rubber :) Comes in different sized sheets that you can cut to whatever size you need.

decadentdiamond said...

Your business cards are the cutest things!