Second Chance Creations

10/31/2017

I THINK that I finally have enough crayons made for tomorrow night. Only time will tell. I will be doing my best to tally how many kids come so I am best prepared for next year as well

10/30/2017

I am pretty proud of how this spider web turned out. Sticks are from my yard, the "web" is tshirt yarn!

10/08/2017

These are JUST the crayons given to me at the end of this past school year. From these and my previous supply I already have over 150 crayons made and ready for Halloween

09/22/2017

Just made a batch of fancy crayons...I don't think I can part with these two for a while yet. They are too gorgeous.

08/17/2017

ATTN:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154987873207861&id=6608442860

Norway has a brilliant way to get people to recycle more.

05/08/2017

NowThis

I know that even I could stand to reduce my plastic usage. I already only use bottled water in very rare cases, and I take my own bags to grocery stores but I end up with plastic bags from so many other places. I would also like to make the switch away from plastic baggies whenever possible. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154690795007861&id=6608442860

‘Our beaches look like confetti’ – Plastic pollution is a massive problem in Hawaii

04/10/2017

Second Chance Creations's cover photo

04/10/2017

My new crayons are itty bitty! Haven't tested for strength yet but they are adorable.

04/06/2017

60 Second Docs

I know this is about recycling and not crafting, but I thought it was worth a share https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1276337279151968&id=267391160046590

This 7-year-old made $21,000.

04/04/2017

I know I am getting way ahead of myself talking about fall when its barely spring yet... but here's a sneak peak at a program for this fall using t-shirt yarn and sticks to decorate for Halloween. I hope you can tell what it is even without the missing piece.

03/31/2017

We had a relaxing time working on our vision boards tonight. If you're kicking yourself because you forgot, keep your eyes peeled. I would love any excuse to do this again.

03/30/2017

Can't believe I forgot to plug it here... but I am leading a vision board program tomorrow night at the West Duluth Library 5:30-7:30pm

02/19/2017

Oh my goodness I love this idea

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=726427070864376&id=129658370541252

VINTAGE SUITCASE into a doll house!! Great idea!!! What do you think?

http://www.goodshomedesign.com/turn-an-old-dresser-into-a-doll-house/

02/14/2017

Students got to make some flowers for Valentine's day!

12/19/2016

Real Simple

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154282429587861&id=6608442860

Don't throw out your wrapping paper scraps! Here are our favorite ways to reuse them.

12/06/2016

All

If this had been around (or if I had known about this company) for my wedding six years ago....I totally would have considered going this route, at least for my toss bouquet (I knitted that) Her flowers are made out of book pages, burlap, wood, tp rolls, old jewelry....its awesome! .https://www.ecoflower.com/collections/all

12/04/2016

This Christmas, challenge yourself to wrap creatively. For inspiration, here are some photos of gifts I gave a few years ago. The bows are all handmade, either from pages of music, or magazines, the gift bags (the same). Some packages are wrapped in calendar pages, one is wrapped in a map and the other in pages from an old book.

11/10/2016

With the holidays coming up or seemed liked a good time to start to reshare these facts.

If each American family wrapped just 3 presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

(I will see if I can find a picture of some of the gifts I wrapped in old maps and book pages a couple years ago and post those)

11/01/2016

Lots of happy trick or treaters tonight. One mom told me that her kid talked about my house all year. Just for fun, here is a comparison shot of the beginning and end of night of the crayons

11/01/2016

Crayons

10/29/2016

Life has been busy busy! I had to leave most of the crayon making for Halloween to the last minute but I think I'm almost there. I've got about 90 made, which just about covers things if the weather is good (and I've heard the forecast might be iffy so I should be doubly covered).

09/12/2016

Crayon total as of 8pm last night: 24

Pictures will come tonight

09/11/2016

Anyone have a guess how many crayons (and pieces) I just peeled? It doesn't look like a lot, but if you count each individual piece (and I do, since a small piece is often as much work to peel as a whole one, for less reward)...there are more there than you might think.

09/11/2016

For anyone who has been curious, here is a peek into my crayon making process. Nothing fancy here! Crayon making total as of this post....6 (with another 6 in the oven). I discovered that I have a lot of peeling to do before I do many more, since I'm short on my favorite colors, like orange, pink and green.

09/11/2016

The crayon-making saga begins. I need at least 100 in time for Halloween. Current number made (unless some are hiding somewhere): 0

09/01/2016

After a summer hiatus, I am back! I have two classes lined up for this winter with the Duluth Public Libraries. Both will involve making your own greeting cards, so if you miss one you can get to the other (or if you come to the first one and you like it a lot you can come to the second and make more!) Keep your eyes peeled for more possible classes

06/10/2016

Apologies for lack of posting. Unless I get some particular requests or am particularly inspired, this summer will probably be a little on the quiet side as I am teaching daycamps at a nature center. Majorly fun, but massively draining. But if you have questions, or requests for things you would like to see me post about please ask. I'll do my best to oblige quickly!

05/07/2016

Second Chance Creations

05/07/2016

Recycled Book Page Roses

The are some of the awesome flowers made by the creative kids at our class at Superior Public Library. All made from the pages of books that were once destined for the landfill, but now get life as a cherished gift!

05/06/2016

Another successful class down in the books! I think there will be a lot of happy moms on Mother's Day! We had some pretty creative kids at our class at the Superior Public Library. Don't fret. If you didn't get to come to this one, we'll do more in the fall or if you can get some friends together I'm willing to arrange crafting parties (you provide people and a space, I'll provide instruction and materials!). Just contact me and we can work out the details!

04/29/2016

I gave some coworkers bookpage roses like we'll be making on Thursday and they all thought they were pretty neat. If you want a bouquet of everlasting book-roses and you have a crafty kid (10-18) in the Twin Ports area, have them register for the class at the Superior Library! 715-394-8866

04/21/2016

A sneak peek at the type of cards we'll be creating at the Superior Library at May 5th's kid's and teen's program. Its free but please call 715-394-8866 to register

03/15/2016

Secrets of the No-Sew Rag Rug

This is the pattern I'm following to make myself a denim rug. I think the end result will end up taking about three pairs of jeans. Additionally, I've got two separate ones started made of tshirts but I didn't have enough of any two or three colors and so those ones are hibernating until I can decide what to do.
http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2008/11/secrets-of-no-sew-rag-rug.html

03/02/2016

I don't think I ever mentioned, but last week I suddenly had students telling me they had seen me in the newspaper. Which baffled me since the article was in December, but they had seen it in the art room so I think the paper was probably down to protect the table!

02/16/2016

Urban Forage Winery and Cider House

I think this fits with the mission of Second Chance Creations.....

Seen this? We just did. Granted we're preoccupied at the moment- but this is awesome! Thanks City Pages!

http://www.citypages.com/restaurants/urban-forage-is-making-wine-from-stuff-destined-to-be-tossed-away-8040135

02/14/2016

We had a great turn out at the library with 11 people attending. I was very thankful for my husband's assistance! Although I don't have any other scheduled events, I'd be willing to work with you to set up a private event to learn how to make some fun upcycled projects.

01/29/2016

All Boxed Up

Mark your calendars, All Boxed Up is coming up fast on February 11th. If you liked the boxes you saw in the article in the Duluth News Tribune, now is your chance to try your hand at it. 6:30-7:30 at the West Duluth Library! http://duluthlibrary.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=3088&lib=

Do you have greeting cards you don't want to throw out but there are too many to keep? Brianna Borka will show you how to recycle them into an assortment of mini gift boxes. Great for Valentine gifts, for giving little trinkets or for storing small treasures. Bring your own cards or use some of the…

01/28/2016

AJ+ Español

Ultimate repurposing! Making musical instruments and thus music, from "trash"

La basura de unos es... ¿la música de otros? Esta orquesta para niños en Paraguay transforma los desechos en instrumentos.

01/14/2016

NowThis

I know this isn't about crafting itself, but this is something pretty fantastic. I hope these seabins work as well as they say and that they can spread. I want to do my part and spread the word because I've seen photos and videos of the state of our oceans and I've seen firsthand our lakes and rivers. Its disturbing all the garbage and such that is in them.

These genius "Seabins" vacuum garbage and pollution right out of the ocean (via NowThis Future)

01/08/2016

This Woman Has Filled Just 1 Jar With Trash In 3 Years. Here's How She Does It.

I'm not sure I could do this, but its a goal worth striving for.

Something we should all consider.

12/23/2015

US Christmas lights use more energy than entire countries

I know my focus is on crafting, but this really hit me. Just US Christmas lights use more energy than some countries use in an entire YEAR. Yes, I know I enjoy seeing houses lit up as much as the next person does...but are the more excessive displays worth it? What's your take on this?
http://news.yahoo.com/us-christmas-lights-more-energy-entire-countries-194400838.html

American household Christmas lights, a favorite holiday tradition, use up more electricity than some poorer countries -- such as El Salvador or Ethiopia -- do in a year. El Salvador for one, uses 5.35 billion kilowatt hours, while Ethiopia consumes 5.30 billion and Tanzania 4.81 billion.

12/21/2015

Easy Book Page Punch Ornament

By browsing past the link to do the sheet music ornament, I found this...and it just so happens I have a bunch of books set aside designated for crafting with. Someone was clearing out some really old, out of date books and whatever wasn't taken was going to get tossed in the garbage, so I don't feel bad cutting them up for projects. This ornament would be a great addition to our tree since my husband and I are both avid readers. http://anoregoncottage.com/easy-book-page-punch-ornament/

12/21/2015

27 Super Festive Trash-to-Treasure Christmas Crafts

I hate the ones that use spoons or straws, because they generally imply that you should use new ones. And the ones using coffee filters DEFINITELY need new, not used. That defeats the purpose of trash to treasure if you ask me! There were still some other pretty fun, truly trash to treasures projects in the mix. My favorite (although I don't know how I'd keep it safe during the rest of the year) is the burnt out bulb wreath, the sheet music ornaments, and the giant tire "ornaments".
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/craft-ideas/g2996/trash-to-treasure-christmas-crafts/?slide=1

Decorating for the holidays just got way more fun (and cheaper).

12/21/2015

8 Clever DIY Ideas That Will Keep You Warm In Winter

I've gotten stains that resist removal on a few of my favorite sweaters, but haven't gotten so far as parting with them. Maybe I could try one of these projects on some of them. I've got a pair of fantastic sweater mittens from Re-Ewes Gear that I adore (who btw is a local crafter as well!) http://www.goodshomedesign.com/8-clever-diy-ideas-that-will-keep-you-warm-in-winter/

Keeping yourself warm in winter is essential to your health and well-being. Even if you have a good heating system at home, some cozy and warm accessories are always welcome in the cold season. That’s why it is time for some winter DIY projects that will teach you how to transform an old item into a…

12/20/2015

If you ever have questions for me, either about something I might sell, how to make something, or want me to teach a class somewhere in the Twin Ports area, you can either post on here or send me a message. I'm on here nearly daily and would love to interact with others of like minds about recycled crafting!