Recycled paper projects from the book Experimental Eco Design

I want to start this post by telling a story, or maybe an experience is a better word for it.

I needed to take my car in to get a recall part installed and I came prepared with a cross stitch project and my ipod. My fellow waiting-roomers brought their laptops and blackberries and were busy in their personal portable worlds. I decided to branch out and read the actual paper magazines that were strewn around the various side tables. They were ones I don't generally read and boy did I learn a lot! I came away with 3 pages of notes on things I read about and planned to research and learn more about.

All I'm saying is that reading different things in addition to your bookmarked favorite places or in the section of the book store you always hit can lead to some really great creativity.

Such is the case with this book:

Experimental EcoDesign:
Architecture, Fashion, Product

By

Cara Brower, Rachel Mallory, Zachary Olhman

This book highlights new ways of thinking about
sustainable design. It is a collection of outstanding and
innovative product, graphic, fashion, and environmental
designs. The thoughts of the world’s leading designers—
Ezio Manzini (Italy), Ed Van Hinte (the Netherlands),
Droog members Richard Hutten (the Netherlands) and
Bless (France), Tom Dixon (UK), Jan Dranger (Sweden)
and Edwin Datschefski (UK)—provide grounding in the
materials, methods, and processes behind outstanding
projects.


Experimental Eco Design offers inspirational reading for
anyone interested in green design, while behind-the-scenes
profiles of key companies and individuals enables working
designers to further their knowledge of good working
practice and techniques. A directory offers an extensive
source listing of materials, manufacturers, design studios,
and organizations.

Cara Brower and Rachel Mallory are graduates of the
University of Cincinnati’s prestigious five-year graphic
design and co-op program.

Rachel is a trained
industrial designer who lives in California. Cara, a
trained graphic designer, lives in New York.

Click on the images below and read all about these great cardboard chairs that not only are made from recycled cardboard pulp but can be returned to the soil with no lasting mark on the earth!

So using the concept of molding recycled paper into something new this is what I came up with:

I kept the extra paper napkins that came with my take-out (they would normally just get thrown out after being on the table) and went to my candy molds to see what would make an interesting element, well you really can't go wrong with a bunny now can you?

I ripped the paper napkins into random small pieces and moistened them with water on a paint brush to get them to sink into the mold. I kept layering the paper napkins until I had 3 or 4 layers.

I allowed it to dry and then I popped it out of the mold.

To jazz it up a bit I painted it with Plaid's Extreme Glitter in Gold.

Then I hot glued a bit of ribbon on the back of each element to form loops. My plan is that these could be used as ornaments.

I stapled them onto the card taking care to encase the ribbon and not pierce it.

It is now safely stored in my Card Album and will be awaiting any additional touches or be ready to give.

Today's question:

What was the last thing you read that was out of your norm? And how did you happen apon it?

As a thanks for answering you will be entered to win a free book!

Comments

[Janet]

Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella. Was cleaning out a drawer and found it amid other boois.

[MonkeyGurrl]

I am constantly trying to read outside my norm - it helps that Husband and Child went to the Book Fair and scored dozens of soon-to-be-released paperbacks. Some I can only stand for the first chapter, others have made me question my convictions. It's been interesting, either way.

As for magazines, I tend to shy away from them. Nothing will shoot down any semblance of self-esteem faster than just a cursory glance through a "fashion mag". Ugh.

I *love* your rabbit. :) But am I the only one who saw the carrot and assumed it was a pellet? Sign of my own warped mind.

[Suella]

When I visit a new town I always try to look at the whole range of free newspapers that are available. It will depend on the quality of the journalism, but I often am made aware of a new approach to various aspects of living or community life.

Or even a new political point of view.

[Suella]

Anything like paper tissue can always be put into the compost bin for your garden or yard plants. We also combine the shredded information with our teabags and other soggy vegetable debris in the compost heap. It is quickly made unreadable and adds to the organic matter.

[Katina]

Deal Seeking Mom blog. I have finally decided to get serious about saving money grocery shopping! This week I tried out some of the techniques and saved 62% on my grocery bill. Now all I have to do is bank my savings and use them for craft stuff! That's a win/win in my book!!

[Eliane]

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.
My little sister was reading and I was like "what? human and vampire? This is so lame"
And now I am addicted ^^

[Kas]

This is probably my favorite craft you have ever done. I have so many candy molds from a time when my daughter had allergies and I had to make candy, they have sat in a box (except those ok for soap molds) WOO Hoo this looks like fun!!

[Wanda McWilliams]

I am in the process of reading The Omnivores Dilemma. It is definitely outside my normal reading. I was encouraged to read it by my very bright son.

[Annika]

Wow that is super cool! I'd love to try that and also to check that book out of the library...

[rush]

i run across financial and political articles on my homepage and magazines at the doctors office. i don't seek out this information. it must be the title that drags me in.

[Eileen]

Your bunny is super clever. Thanks for sharing such a novel and eco-friendly craft idea.

[Darlene]

Great post! I believe in exploring outside my usual interests too.

Recently, I picked up one of my husband's history books. (He's a history buff; I'm not.) Looking through the illustrations in his book gave me ideas of items to sketch.

[Craftzilla]

This is awesome! I do have to say that the gold paint really does jazz it up and in a good way!

[wendy]

I occasionally pick up an unusual magazine at the bookstore - Peel (which is a cool sticker/street art magazine) and Juxtapose, another sort of street art/culture magazine.

[Heather - Dollar Store Crafts]

I saved this post back when you posted it... and I recently tried making papier-mache ornaments in a much different way, but your way looks a lot better!