Same ol’, same ol, but not really: Hobbies that upcycle
- MacEwan Sustainability
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Going in circles? Great!
Today’s post is all about going in circles. Specifically, how crafting and upcycling can contribute to circular economy and a happier planet. Besides, crafting in general is just fun and gives you a nice break from homework.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is the reuse of items that turn old items into new ones, giving them a second life. A good example of upcycling is the reuse of those glass pasta sauce jars. Many people keep them to store leftovers or other food items or turn them into fancy décor.
Why upcycle?
Upcycling for your hobby can be a good way to save money on pricey craft supplies, and it gives your creativity a little boost.
If you’re already an avid crafter, you can likely think of some ways that you can upcycle materials into your practice. But if you’re looking for something new to try, we have a few suggestions!
Shoutout: A lot of the equipment you need to try out these hobbies can be found in MacEwan’s Makerspace. They have sewing machines, paper, 3D Printers, paint, crochet hooks, and a lot more! The staff are also super helpful and can help you learn how to operate things like the sewing machines and special printers.
Hobbies that upcycle
Sewing & Mending
Sewing is just that. Sewing. Upcycling comes in when you get creative with your old T-shirts and jeans. Many people like to turn worn out jeans into unique shoulder bags, pet toys, or even patchwork quilts.
Materials to Get Started:
Sewing machine
Old clothes or other fabric items
A pattern (here are some beginner-friendly ideas)
Pins and fabric scissors
Junk Journaling
Junk journaling is a favorite amongst our Sustainability team! It’s a creative way to turn “junk” into meaningful keepsakes that tell a story. Junk journals don’t have to be perfect, and you can build them in whatever way you want.
Did you attend an amazing music festival? Put your entry wristband into your junk journal! Got a napkin that somehow obtained its own silly joke? You can put that in there, too. Anything goes!
Check out these amazing layouts made by one of our Sustainability team members!
If you want to read about junk journaling in more depth, go here!
Materials to Get Started:
A journal base, like a blank sketchbook
Adhesives and/or tape
Writing tools
Scissors
Junk!
Pro Tip: Our junk journaling veteran mentioned that she buys her journals from the dollar store, so you don’t need to break the bank buying a fancy one from the craft store.
Knitting and crocheting
Knitting and crocheting are the ancient arts of using sticks and swearing to weave together long strings into sweaters… Okay, maybe that’s not quite it, but you do use needles or hooks to turn yarn into amazing fiber art. These homemade Christmas decorations are just one example of what you can make.
This isn’t just a thing your grandma does. Knitting and crocheting are ways to create functional, unique items that are perfectly suited to your style and needs.
When you add upcycling to the mix, it’s a great way to keep old clothes out of the landfill and can get you high quality yarn for a cheap price.
If you’re brand new to knitting or crocheting, there are a ton of tutorials on YouTube for getting started.
This author recommends starting with a basic washcloth.
Materials to Get Started:
Crochet hooks or knitting needles
Scissors
Yarn needle
YouTube tutorials/Written patterns
Thrifted sweaters or yarn blankets
Pro Tip: Before you buy sweaters, watch a video about selecting and unraveling them. There are a few things you need to watch for to be successful.
Mason Jar Crafts
We’re back to the mason jars! As I mentioned in the introduction, mason jars are the classic leftover food storage containers, but they can be used in so many other ways. Here’s a nice big list with ideas and tutorials for upcycling your jars. I quite liked the idea of the terrarium!
Materials to Get Started:
Mason jar
Short list, yes. The fact is that it’s a tad impractical to write out a full list of supplies because of the different projects that can be done, so you’ll need to compile your own once you’ve picked a project.
The idea of the circular economy is that materials never really go to waste because they are continuously reused or repurposed. Upcycling through your hobbies is just one way of contributing to that cycle.
Are you an avid crafter? How might you use upcycling in your projects? Share your ideas in the comments!
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