Eco-friendly crafts made easy

Posted on May 25, 2009 by Liz Grotyohann in DIY

Eco-friendly crafts made easy. That’s the tagline for the new crafting DVD released by Eyekiss films, and it definitely rings true. Crafting stars Jeanée Ledoux & Garth Johnson step you through eleven, easy, fun projects based around the concepts of recycling and repurposing items to create hip new housewares. Not crafty? Don’t worry! The projects are all fundamentally very easy, yet with clever, cool end-products. If you can handle tracing, spray painting, and can maybe sink a screw, then you can master all of the projects on this disc.

Watching the DVD, with its mid-century styling and kitschy lounge music in the background, is a lot of fun. Jeanee and Garth have a great rapport as they guide you through the projects—it’s like you’re hanging out with your two new crafty friends as they help you fill your home with new eco-friendly decor. From a no-sew ottoman made from recycled cardboard and biodegradable foam to an awesome book shelf made out of, well, an old book, Jeanée has brought new life to cast-off items in each of the projects she’s designed.

Every project repurposes items that would have been headed to a recycling center or landfill (like cardboard or an old, rusty baking tray), or encourages you to source your materials from thrift stores. The projects that excited me the most were the ones that show you how to update what you already own—refreshing items you have instead of buying new ones. Want new color in your sofa pillows? Add a stenciled design! Tired of your perfectly functional but plain white kitchen appliances and lusting after that new red blender? Jeanee shows you how to paint—and even add pattern to!—your appliances. (Who would have thought?)

The DVD is easy to follow, and is broken down into twelve chapters, one for each of the eleven projects along with an introductory chapter. Each chapter begins with a very handy materials list, and you’ll pick up some great materials tips watching the projects. These really are easy projects, with little prior skill needed; but even the veteran crafter will learn something new. I will say, though, that these are crafts for grown-ups. Most of the projects require sharp blades, spray primers or tools that aren’t appropriate for crafting with children.

Watch the trailer on the Re-construct website, where you can purchase the DVD directly through Eyekiss Films. Or enter to win your own copy of the DVD, and start crafting your new (recycled) home decor.

 

 

crafting, DIY, recycling, upcycling