PASSIONATE ABOUT DIY? TAKE A LOOK AT OUR UPCYCLING TUTORIALS

PASSIONATE ABOUT DIY? TAKE A LOOK AT OUR UPCYCLING TUTORIALS

1. GIVE YOUR ECO-REFILLS A SECOND LIFE!

FILL THEM WITH HERBS OR FLOWERS AND HANG THEM UP!

An original take on hanging herb baskets


You'll need:

  • Eco-refill sachet
  • Piece of fabric, cut to size
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors
  • Driftwood
  • Stapler
  • String
  • Plant / flowers

Step by step:

  1. Trim off the top of your eco-refill.
  2. Use your stapler to make your fabric into a pouch, then put the sachet inside.
  3. Attach a length of ribbon to each side.
  4. Tie some string to your driftwood.
  5. Then tie the ribbons to it.
  6. Now add your plant or flowers, then hang it up!

2. FROM AN ECO-REFILL TO A DECORATIVE PLANT HOLDER

PUT YOUR PLANTS ON SHOW!

Use your eco-refill sachets to make a pretty plant holder


You'll need:

  • Staplers (standard + upholstery)
  • 2 eco-refill sachets
  • 2 strips of fabric, cut to size
  • Scissors
  • Plants

Step by step: 

  1. Trim off the top of your eco-refills.
  2. Fold your strip of fabric along the length, then fold the edges inside.
  3. Fold over the end of the fabric and staple it to the front of your eco-refill sachet.
  4. Take the fabric around the front and back of the sachet, then staple it again, to the back.
  5. Take a rectangular piece of wood and attach the other end of your strip of fabric to the back of it.
  6. Then just add your plants!

3. TRANSFORM YOUR CREAM JARS INTO STORAGE JARS

USE YOUR PRECIOUS AND DIVINE JARS TO GET ORGANISED!

You'll need:

  • 2 x short planks of wood
  • 2 x longer planks of wood
  • Hammer
  • 3 x Precious or Divine jars
  • Nails & screws
  • Electric screwdriver/drill
  • Drill bit

Step by step:

  1. Take one of the longer planks of wood and screw the three lids into it, starting with the middle one and positioning them evenly.
  2. Use nails to attach the shorter planks of wood onto each end, then the other longer plank.
  3. Then simply fill your jars and screw them into their lids!

4. WHEN A GIFT BOX BECOMES A STORAGE BOX!

AN EASY WAY TO KEEP YOUR UNDERWEAR TIDY

You'll need:

  • A gift box
  • Cardboard tubes (such as toilet or kitchen roll tubes)
  • Scissors

Step by step:

  1. Trim the tubes so they're all the same height and will fit into your gift box.
  2. Remove the tissue paper from your gift box, place the cardboard rolls around the edge of the box, make a "ring" from the tissue paper and place it in the middle of the box, then add another four rolls inside the "ring".
  3. Then just fill the rolls with your underwear, accessories, etc. Easy peasy!

5. BRING YOUR GIFT BOX INTO THE DIGITAL WORLD

AND USE IT TO HOLD YOUR TABLET!

You'll need:

  • 1 gift box
  • Box cutter
  • Scissors
  • 3 strips of Velcro
  • Ruler
  • Glue
  • Glue brush

Step by step:

  1. Open the box, pull out the inner section and trim off the ribbon (you will need it later !).
  2. Turn the box over and use your ruler and cutter to score a line about 2 cm in from the edge.
  3. Cover the underside of this edge with glue and add a strip of ribbon that goes along the entire edge and over onto the other side, then glue the ends down (not too tight!).
  4. With the box turned over, attach two shorter strips of ribbon on the bottom, on each side, making sure they extend beyond the box.
  5. Attach a small strip of Velcro to the end of each ribbon, fold over the box, then attach a smaller strip of Velcro on each side to "hold" the ribbons.
  6. Turn the box around and slip your tablet in its slot!

6. FROM BEAUTIFUL HAIR TO A BEAUTIFUL BIRD FEEDER!

UPCYCLE YOUR SHAMPOO BOTTLE AND BRING MORE FEATHERED FRIENDS INTO YOUR GARDEN!

You'll need:

  • 1 used shampoo bottle
  • Small plank of wood (about 5 x 20 cm)
  • Small square of wood (about 5 x 5 x 3 cm)
  • Wooden dowels
  • String
  • Screws
  • Electric screwdriver/drill and drill bits, including hole cutter
  • Paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Bird food

 

Step by step:

  1. Take the small square of wood and drill a hole into the middle of three sides, to hold the dowels, then use your hole cutter to make a larger hole on the top.
  2. Take the plank of wood and drill a single hole in the top, then two holes halfway down, and again at the bottom.
  3. Attach this plank of wood to the square of wood by screwing through the two holes at the bottom.
  4. Insert the wooden dowels into the three holes.
  5. Take your shampoo bottle and decorate it with paint (or stickers, or whatever you like!).
  6. Take a length of string through the two holes in the middle of the plank of wood and tie knots so it's just the right length to hold the shampoo bottle.
  7. The neck of the bottle should sit just above the hole in the square of wood.
  8. Fill the bottle with bird food and hang your feeder up!

7. TURN YOUR SHAMPOO BOTTLE INTO A DRIP-WATERING BOTTLE

WATER YOUR PLANTS WHILE YOU'RE AWAY

You'll need:

  • Potted plant
  • Shampoo bottle with pump
  • String
  • Glass of water
  • Scissors
  • Short bamboo cane

Step by step:

  1. Remove the pump from the shampoo bottle and take it apart.
  2. Fill the bottle with water and screw the middle section of the pump back on.
  3. Push the bamboo cane into the pot (the part sticking out should be slightly longer than the bottle).
  4. Turn the bottle upside-down and tie it to the bamboo cane with string. That's all there is to it!

8. TRANSFORM YOUR FACE CREAM JAR INTO A BEAUTIFUL CANDLE HOLDER

GIVE YOUR HOME A GLOW!

You'll need:

  • Face cream jar (Precious, Divine, Reine Blanche)
  • Craft wire (copper, brass, etc.)
  • Cutting and flat-nose pliers
  • Box cutter
  • Tea light candle (made with vegetable wax)

Step by step: 

  1. Trim the sides of the candle so it will fit inside your jar.
  2. Wind some craft wire around the neck of the jar and use it to make a "handle" over the top, then twist it tight to secure it.
  3. Place your candle inside, hang it up, then light the wick!


REMEMBER: Never leave a burning candle unattended! 

9. MAKE A VASE FROM A CHERRY BLOSSOM BOTTLE

You'll need:

  • A large, used Cherry Blossom bottle
  • Some paint in your favorite colour
  • A (recycled!) pot to hold it
  • Brushes
  • Steel
  • Wool
  • Thick string or macramé cord
  • Scissors

Step by step: 

  1. Begin by making your macramé hanger. This short video will help! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRg-zJc_o5s 
  2. Next, "sand" your bottle with the steel wool, paint it, then leave it to dry.
  3. Place your bottle in the holder, add some flowers, and voilà!