DIY Sustainable Projects: Fifteen step-by-step projects for eco-friendly living

by Audrey Love

Overview

Makers are at the forefront of finding solutions for sustainable living. Crafting something from scratch means you get to carefully choose the materials you use, your method and philosophy for making it, and the way you use the final product.

Maker. Sustainable features 15 step-by-step projects that are created using sustainable materials and upcycling methods. Each make will help readers along their journey to an eco-friendly lifestyle, not only in the repurposing of the old into new and beautiful products, but in the making of practical, useful tools that will actively encourage a more sustainable way of life.

Created by artist and educator Audrey Love, a passionate advocate of upcycling and sustainable design, the projects range from easy as pie to satisfyingly advanced. Audrey's step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, and accompanied by beautiful photography sharing styling ideas and essential technical skills. From constructing a portable greenhouse from old picture frames to creating your own drawstring bags for zero-waste, zero-plastic shopping trips, these projects will change both the aesthetic and the philosophy of your life, for the better, for good.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781787393974
Publisher:	Welbeck Publishing Group Limited
Publication date:	05/11/2021
Series:	Maker
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Audrey Love is an artist, maker and educator. She creates step-by-step projects for Instructables, and is art projects manager for Burning Man festival. She lives in California.

Table of Contents

Introduction 8

01 Printing with nature 10

Freshen up an old pair of curtains with colour and pattern provided by pigments and Mother Nature.

02 Cyanotype chair reupholstery 18

A newcomer to upholstery? Start here with this stylish and sustainable chair. This project shows you how to dye natural fabrics, bringing a tattered chair back to life.

03 Crate furniture 30

This stylish seating solution is just one way to repurpose wooden pallets, and can be adapted for any size or shape of indoor or outdoor space.

04 Upcycling fast furniture 40

Upcycling not only helps the planet, but it also ignites your creativity! Learn how to use resin to create unique pieces of furniture for your home.

05 Paper and plaster lamp 50

A solid and well-loved combination, let paper and plaster light up your life!

06 Hanging gutter planter 62

Fancy starting your own vegetable garden, but don't know where to start? Why not hang out with these planters made from reclaimed building material?

07 Wine crate greenhouse 70

An essential accessory for an urban maker with green fingers! A simple, creative make that will benefit your outdoor space.

08 Self-watering planters 80

Single-use no more! Learn how to create clever concrete moulds with everyday plastic items.

09 Solar lamps 90

Add some sparkle to night-time drinks in the garden with a reclaimed lantern. A make that is deceptively simple and is bound to impress.

10 Ladybird house 98

Ladybirds protect your garden from leaf-eating insects that can threaten your plants growth, Thank them for all their hard work with this cosy house.

11 Tablet sleeve from a sweater 108

Forever losing your stylus or forgetting your charger? Keep your tablet and all its accessories in this neat and functional sleeve made from an old sweater,

12 Insulated lunch bag 116

Using unconventional materials, this project will show you how to turn shipping material into a reusable lunch bag.

13 Upcycled radio 126

With some basic electronics knowledge, you too can turn this classic speaker into a modern Bluetooth radio.

14 Shampoo and conditioner bars 136

Using natural botanicals and reused moulds, these shampoo and conditioner bars are a win-win for sustainability and functionality (plus they smell fantastic).

15 Reusable bulk food bags 146

Made from lightweight nylon, these durable bulk food bags are perfect for all your freshly bought produce.

Tools 154

Index 158