Cardboard Art Archives : The Artistic Divas World

Creating Art on a Budget

Leave a Comment / Art, Art Journaling, artistic style, Cardboard Art, Collage, Crafts, creativity, DIY Art Supplies / admin

Art doesn’t have to be a pricey endeavor. Some of the most creative and unique pieces come from the simplest materials and the humblest beginnings. With a little ingenuity and resourcefulness, creating art without emptying your wallet can be done. Here’s how each of these budget-friendly tips can help you as an artist:

1. Creating Art with What You Have
Before heading to the craft store, take inventory of what you already own. Those leftover scraps of fabric, old magazines, cardboard boxes, or packaging materials tucked away in a closet can be the perfect foundation for your next project. This approach not only saves money but also pushes you to think creatively about using unconventional materials. An old shoebox can become a shadow box, and those fabric scraps might turn into beautiful journal covers.

When you limit yourself to what’s on hand, you’re also doing your part for sustainability by reducing waste.

2. Thrift Store Goldmines
Second-hand stores are like hidden treasure chests for crafters. You can find old books with gorgeous illustrations, picture frames for upcycling, jewelry that can be disassembled into embellishments, and fabric remnants perfect for sewing or mixed media projects. The key is to visit these stores with an open mind. That broken necklace might seem like junk at first glance, but its beads and charms can bring your next junk journal or collage to life. You will never run out of ways for creating art at a thrift store.

Thrift shopping is also a fun way to spark new creative ideas. You never know what you’ll stumble upon!

3. Creating Art with DIY Supplies
Buying pre-made art supplies can be expensive, but many of them are easy to make yourself. For example:

Stamps: Carve designs into erasers or potatoes for custom shapes.
Stencils: Cut patterns into cardboard or plastic sheets.
Coffee-Dyed Paper: Soak regular paper in coffee for a vintage effect, perfect for junk journaling or calligraphy.
Creating your own supplies not only saves money but also gives your projects a unique, personalized touch. Plus, the process of making these supplies can be just as rewarding as the art itself.

4. Swap and Share
If you’re part of a crafting community or have artistic friends, consider organizing a swap. You can trade supplies you no longer need for materials that inspire new projects. For example, you might have extra watercolor paints while someone else has a stash of fabric they’re willing to trade. This helps you and the crafting community in creating art without breaking the bank.

Swapping also builds relationships within your artistic circle and exposes you to materials or tools you might not have thought to use.

5. Free Digital Resources
The internet is a goldmine for crafters on a budget. Websites like Pinterest, Canva, and Unsplash offer free templates, graphics, and high-quality images you can use in your projects. You’ll also find countless tutorials on platforms like YouTube that teach you how to use these resources effectively.

For printable art, sites like The Graphics Fairy or Creative Commons offer vintage and royalty-free images you can download and incorporate into your work. This expands your creative toolbox without spending a cent.

6. Think Outside the Box
Everyday items often overlooked can bring extraordinary character to your art. Bottle caps, keys, buttons, twigs, and even bubble wrap can be used for texture and decoration. Nature is another rich source of materials—leaves, stones, and pressed flowers can add organic beauty to your creations.

This mindset not only stretches your budget but also helps you see the potential for creating art in unexpected places, keeping your creativity fresh and innovative.

How This Helps the Artist

We have visited this before so you can check that out here. By adopting these budget-friendly practices, you not only reduce your expenses but also foster a sense of resourcefulness and innovation. Working within constraints can spark ideas you might never have explored otherwise. Plus, the satisfaction of creating art from what might have been discarded is deeply rewarding.

Creating art isn’t about how much you spend; it’s about how you see the world and express it. So grab what you have, explore new resources, and start crafting your masterpiece today!

You can check out this link here to find great art supplies for a little expense. This is an affiliate link and I get a few pennies if you use it.

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The world of recycled crafts

1 Comment / Art, Cardboard Art, Crafts, creativity, Family fun, Multimedia Art, Recycled crafts / admin

We visited recycled crafts briefly before Christmas, and you can read that post here. But if you’re interested in diving into the world of recycled crafts, it’s a great way to reduce waste, and it’s also incredibly satisfying to transform something old into something new and beautiful. Let’s walk through how you can start making crafts with recycled items, and I’ll share some cool project ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Getting Started with Recycled Crafts

First things first, you’ll want to gather your materials. This is the treasure hunt phase, and honestly, it’s half the fun. Look around your home for items that you’re no longer using. Think old newspapers, jars, cans, fabric scraps, or even broken electronics. The idea is to see potential in these everyday items that are often overlooked.

Choosing Your Craft

Now, what can you make with these items? The possibilities are pretty much endless, but let’s narrow it down to a few ideas to get you started:

Newspaper Weaving: Old newspapers can be rolled or folded into strips and woven to create baskets, coasters, or even a chic clutch purse. It’s a simple technique with stunning results.
Jar Lanterns: Have some empty jars? Clean them out and get creative. You can paint them, wrap them in twine or fabric, or even fill them with fairy lights to make cozy lanterns for your home.
Fabric Scrap Quilting: If you’ve got a collection of fabric scraps, quilting is a fantastic way to use them up. You don’t need to make a full quilt; start with something small, like a pillow cover or a tote bag.
Can Planters: Empty cans can be cleaned, painted, and transformed into cute planters for your succulents or herbs. It’s a great way to add some green to your space.

Tips for Successful Recycled Crafting

Clean Your Materials: Make sure everything is clean before you start. This will help your crafts look more finished and professional.
Be Open to Experimentation: Not every project will turn out perfectly, and that’s okay! The beauty of working with recycled materials is that each piece is unique.
Use What You Have: The goal is to reduce waste, so try to use existing materials and tools from around your house before buying new.
Think Outside the Box: The best recycled crafts come from thinking creatively. An old ladder could become a bookshelf, or a broken picture frame could turn into an earring holder.

Why Bother with Recycled Crafts?

Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, crafting with recycled materials can be incredibly rewarding. It’s a way to challenge your creativity, save money, and make something truly unique. Plus, it’s a fantastic conversation starter. Imagine the compliments you’ll get when your friends find out your chic new vase used to be a pasta sauce jar!

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into your recycling bin and see what treasures you can find. Whether you’re making a gift, adding a personal touch to your home, or simply enjoying a creative afternoon, recycled crafting is a wonderful way to make something meaningful. Happy crafting!

Here are some other resources about recycled crafts to try:

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Cardboard Really is Versatile for Crafting

Leave a Comment / Art, Art mediums, Cardboard Art, Crafts / admin

It seems that every time I turn around, I am getting something in a cardboard box. This could create a huge pile of mess; however, I have recently discovered the joy of crafting with cardboard. Now I see that stack of flattened boxes as a medium for crafts and art. I love that I can keep most of these boxes out of the landfill and turn them into reused articles so they get a new life. That, to me, is very satisfying. So, if you are like me, here is an entire post about the wonders of using these boxes for making things you can use.

It isn’t just for packaging; it’s a versatile, accessible, and often free material that can spark creativity in art and crafts. From DIY projects to intricate sculptures, cardboard offers endless possibilities for those willing to explore its potential.

Did you know that you can even make sturdy end tables out of cardboard? Watch this to see how: https://youtu.be/GoXanGfXsgc?si=Ia4LIJX1nzqUVlJv

One of the simplest yet most creative uses of this medium is in making decorative items like DIY cardboard cacti. These charming creations are not only easy to make, but they also add a unique touch to any space. Imagine transforming everyday packaging from cereal boxes or Amazon packages into adorable cacti that never need watering!

For those who enjoy weaving, cardboard offers a fantastic base for circle weaving projects. This activity is not only fun for adults but also a great way for kids to develop their fine motor skills. The result? Beautiful wall hangings that add a personal touch to your home decor.

Book lovers can appreciate the practicality of the medium in making DIY triangle bookends. This project is not only functional but also adds a stylish element to your bookshelves. And the best part? It’s an eco-friendly way to repurpose cardboard that might otherwise end up in the recycling bin.

If you’re into decoupage, cardboard trays can be transformed into beautiful pieces of art. By applying decorative napkins using the decoupage technique, you can create stunning trays that are perfect for gifting or adding a touch of elegance to your home.

For those with a knack for organization, this medium can be used to create cute storage boxes. This is particularly useful for repurposing diaper boxes or other large cardboard containers. Not only do you get organized, but you also get to do it in style!

How about making beautiful African masks to adorn your walls? You can easily do this with cardboard. Pinterest has many examples for you to look at if you decide to make these.

One of the most surprising uses of the medium is in creating faux metal letters for home decor. With the right painting techniques, it can be made to look like metal, offering a chic and inexpensive way to decorate your space.

For those who enjoy paper crafts, making beautiful paper from waste cardboard is a fulfilling project. This process involves creating a pulp from shredded cardboard and then forming it into sheets of paper. It’s a fantastic way to recycle and create something both beautiful and useful.

And for the sculptors out there, cardboard can serve as an excellent base for paper-mache clay sculptures. This method involves creating a clay-like substance that can be molded over a cardboard armature. Once dry, these sculptures are strong and can be painted or decorated as desired.

We touched on using cardboard before, and in case you missed that, you can find that post here.

In conclusion, cardboard is much more than just a packaging material. It’s a canvas for creativity, a foundation for functional art, and a medium for sustainable crafting. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, there’s a cardboard project that’s perfect for you. So next time you’re about to throw away that cardboard box, think again—it could be your next great art project!

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Easy and Fun Christmas Crafts using recycled materials

1 Comment / Cardboard Art, Crafts, creativity, Family fun / admin

Christmas is not very far off. Why not make some Christmas crafts today? Some have already decorated for the holiday, but there are still some that have not. If you are looking for a way to make your home festive without breaking the bank, these options will be right up your alley. I absolutely love getting something pretty from a piece of paper or cardboard I would be throwing in the recycle bin. To me, it’s a win-win situation all around.

Here is a round-up of several sites

These are really good crafts for you to think about or to try. I do hope you try them out and have fun doing it!

DIY Christmas Tree Made From Cardboard

Create a stunning Christmas tree from cardboard with this innovative idea. It’s a great way to recycle and add a unique touch to your holiday decor.
Watch the tutorial on YouTube
Christmas DIY Crafts Using Cardboard

This tutorial offers various exciting Christmas craft ideas using cardboard, perfect for adding a personalized and eco-friendly touch to your festive decorations.
Explore the crafts on YouTube
Christmas Decoration Idea with Cardboard

Learn how to make affordable and charming Christmas decorations using simple cardboard. This tutorial is perfect for those looking for budget-friendly crafting ideas.
Watch the tutorial on YouTube
27 Easy Repurposed Cardboard Christmas Crafts

Pillar Box Blue offers a collection of 27 cardboard Christmas crafts and decorations made from cardboard boxes. These crafts are both affordable and eco-friendly, utilizing materials you likely already have at home.
Read more at Pillar Box Blue
45 Christmas Craft Ideas Using Paper

Unfold the magic of the festive season with these fantastic DIY Christmas paper crafts. These projects are easy to make and add a bespoke touch to your holiday season.
Explore the ideas at Pillar Box Blue

These tutorials offer a range of innovative and environmentally friendly ways to decorate for Christmas using paper and cardboard. They’re perfect for adding a unique and personal touch to your holiday season. For even more ideas, check out this older blog post. Here is another older post that is perfect for making with children.

Most of these are also appropriate to do with children, so why not settle in for an evening with the kids and make a memory as well as an ornament?

I have a video up about this same issue with six really nice ideas you might enjoy:

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I made pigeons out of cardboard!

Leave a Comment / Art, Cardboard Art / admin

My last blog post was about finding an artist who uses regular cardboard to make art, specifically she makes gorgeous pigeons. The artist I am talking about is Cheryl Cochran and I was very inspired by her work, so I decided to see if I could copy some of it to learn how to do it. This is how they turned out:

How it make these pigeons:

I used regular boxing cardboard and it was difficult to cut out, but doable, and Ithink they turned out really great. This was a process and I learned a lot about doing this particular art. They are currently up on my wall by where I am typing right now.

Here is my process:

After finding the piece of cardboard, I drew a pigeon shape on it and cut it out with my knife carefully. Once all the pieces were cut out, I painted them by looking at photos. I used gouache to paint these birds because I like the matte finish it gives and the ease of use. It took no time to dry, which also made this a simply process. I glued the pieces together using Art Glue because it holds well and dries really quickly. I think this went well and I decided to make more birds the next day!

Here are the other birds I have made so far:

These where made with thinner cardboard from the backs of pads of paper and the back of an old desk calendar. They were all made the same way, except instead of painting the chickens, I used colorful paper to cover the bodies. Then I painted the other parts. And I am telling you, I love this. I plan to keep making these forever. They all now reside up on my wall so I can look at them all day. They make me happy.

Why I made pigeons:

In my previous post, I said I was drawn to the pigeons because of my experiences in Germany. Here are some photos that show you what I am talking about: Pigeons were everywhere. Anytime we went somewhere outside, pigeons surrounded us. After a while, you could see that they have a social system and that each bird has a personality. I sat in the center of town at a bench for hours watching these silly birds.

So, this is my post about making art using cardboard, specifically making pigeons from cardboard. I hope you are inspired to try this out because it is really fun. And this is something you can do with children.

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Cardboard can be Used to Make Art

3 Comments / Art, Cardboard Art / admin

Did you know you can use cardboard to make art?

I recently spent time on Pinterest looking at art and artists’ work. You can lose yourself there if you don’t be careful. On Pinterest, I found out that you can make the most beautiful art with only paper, paint, water, scissors, and imagination. I found artists’ works using paper to make paper-mache statues. They were stunning. They were creative and some were funny and others were just beautiful. Then there are artists using paper and scissors to make beautiful birds and beautiful animals; while others use the same tools to make gorgeous collages. Lordy, they are so wonderful.

But my favorite thing I found was an artist who makes pigeons out of cardboard. Yep. Regular, old cardboard can be used to make art. Her work is stunning. She shows these pigeons at art shows around the country and they sell like crazy. Heck, I would buy one if I had a chance to get my hands on one. I will post below some of her work as well as some of the other work I found.

A new way to see Art Supplies:

This all gave me pause to think about art in a new and different way. These artists literally used what they had on hand and turned out the most creative and colorful artworks. Amazing! Now I look at all my recycle with a new eye. It really does get you thinking about ways to use what you have on hand to make art. Now, it seems I have no excuse to put off making art; usually the number one excuse most people make is that I don’t have the supplies I need. Well, now I see that I really don’t need much and if I do need something, I can probably pick it up at the Dollar Store for really cheap. No more excuses.

I have always had an affinity for paper and paper products. My family jokes that I must have been a Druid in a previous life because I worship trees. Although they are probably wrong, I do not think the Druids were wrong. In fact, I think they were onto something with their tree worship.

My Cardboard Art Inspiration

So today, after I finish my house chores, I think I may dive into my recycle and try my hand at making some cardboard birds. They don’t have to be fancy. They are relatively simple shapes. I should be able to do this. I will try to take pictures as I go to post next week for you to see. In the meantime, I want to show you the work that got me started with all of this:

Aren’t they wonderful? I think they remind me of my trip to Germany to visit my daughter and family when they were stationed there. We sat outside in the central courtyard and watched so many different kinds and colors of pigeons. They were like pet cats. They would come up to you and beg for food. We spend hours and hours just watching those silly birds and laughing at them!

Other types of Cardboard Art:

Now I will show you some of the other artists that I found who also make cardboard art:

Aren’t they wonderful and fun? I can’t wait to try my hand at this. I hope you have enjoyed seeing these as much as I have. If you try it, won’t you please show me your work, too? Don’t forget to check out some of my previous posts here.

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Cardboard Art