Guest Author - Vivienne Oestergaard
One’s trash can be another’s treasure.
Art can be many things to many people. In altered art, there can be many different techniques or methods. The definition of altered art is to alter an ordinary object into something unique and artistic. With this definition in mind, an object that was once relegated trash could be re-purposed into a unique artpiece. So, not only art, but a unique take on being environmentally conscious. Let’s take a look at the possibilities of recycling trash into art:
Paper scraps—if you scrapbook or paper craft, you end up with lots of little scrap pieces of paper from various projects. Throw all those pieces into a box and use them up when you make your cards or ATCs. These small scraps are the perfect size for these projects. Use them also for collages or mixed media art or altered book projects.
Textiles—bits of ribbon can be folded, stitched, stapled to form flowers or stars. Fabric squares can be used as mats for photos. Decorate your art journals with bits of textiles.
Broken jewelry pieces—reform broken pieces into charm bracelets or to decorate your art journals. Metal pieces can also look great on cards. I’ve purchased used or new jewelry pieces (on sale of course!) for use on the front of cards.
Buttons and patches—if you are into thrift shopping or antiquing, you’ll find many sources of buttons and patches. Buttons make great center pieces of paper or silk flowers. Use them to top a gift box! Decorate your scrapbook pages with patches.
Cereal boxes—here is an ENDLESS source of cardboard to create your gift boxes. Cover with some art papers or paint them for a new look!
Jar lids—these make excellent Christmas ornaments or frames for kids to craft! Use your creativity to turn this ordinary object into the extraordinary!
Jam jars—great containers to hold bits of ribbon, buttons, and odd elements. Collect the same size jars and they will look great in your studio.
Old game pieces—Scrabble tiles look great for titles of scrapbook pages or cards. Playing cards can be cut up and placed in art journals or altered books.
Plastic packaging—if the pieces are large enough, they can be cut into pages, hole-punched and tied together with ribbon to form an acrylic album! Tags can be made out of smaller pieces.
Cardboard or plastic boxes—recover them with pretty paper for gift boxes. One can never have enough gift boxes. Not only for giving away but to decorate an empty space in your studio.
Think about each item you are throwing away with a bit of creativity. Plan how you can turn it into something else. Not only will you have a new artistic piece, but you’ll have helped to make this world a greener place to be!
