by M. J. Joachim

Created on: July 13, 2010   Last Updated: February 15, 2012

Old magazines can be used to make many projects. They are recyclable items that are sturdy enough to fold into tables, interesting enough to make magnetic word games and flexible enough to turn into amazing works of art and jewelry. Magazines can be thrown away and recycled on trash day, or they can be turned into creative projects that are fun to make and nice to have around.

• Use Entire Magazine to Make Tables

Recycle old magazines by making them into tables. You will need approximately four or more magazines. Fold about ten pages of each magazine toward its center. Overlap the covers to the next magazine until you have a round table connected by folded magazine covers and pages. You can also secure the folds with paperclips or staples. Spray paint or leave plain as desired. For added effect, place the finished magazines in large cylinders like glass vases or metal cans, and add a flat top to your magazine table.

• Cut and Paste Headlines  to Make Word Magnets

Cut large letters and words from old magazines to make word magnets. Purchase magnets from office supply stores. Cover with clear contact paper for extra durability. Use these magnets to reinforce spelling and vocabulary skills in children.

• Coil and Roll Magazine Strips for the Quilling Craft

Cut magazine pages into thin strips and roll them into various quilling shapes and designs. Follow patterns to create pictures and three dimensional works of art. Special quilling tools are available; tools can also be made from toothpicks and needles that are readily available.

• Follow Intricate Patterns to Make Jewelry

Make beads, earrings and pendants by cutting pictures out of magazines. Mount them to a secure item like cork or wood. Coat them with clear gloss. Secure to jewelry pins or earring hooks. Make different sized loops and beads by cutting strips of magazines and winding them tightly together, securing them with glue. Paint and join them into necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

• Cut Similar Color Pages into Small Pieces to Design Mosaic Pictures

Cut tiny squares from colorful magazine pages. Glue them to a foundation like a painter’s canvas, piece of wood or cork board. Use like colors to make murals and creative designs.

References

• Re-nest: How-To Craft a Table Using Old Magazines       

• The Creative Homeschool: Fun With Old Magazines and Catalogs             

• Quilling                

• Home Crafts Online: Homemade Quilling Tools 

• Craft Stylish: How to Make Dangly Earrings with Magazine Pages                              

• Green Options: Creative Uses for Junk Mail        

• Fine Art Paper Jewelry: Anatomy of Paper Jewelry         

• Green Upgrader: Schimmel Art; Upcycled Bits Are Greater Than Their Sum         

• Magazine Publishers of America: Please Recycle This Magazine                 

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