One way to justify making “useless” things is to recycle. Plenty of crafters choose to buy new materials for their projects, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. But you can do a lot with trash.
Ara of Bentley House Minis did an entire project using cardboard and common household materials. She made a fairy tale cottage that is full of whimsy and charm. The wonky shapes she achieved were made possible by her recycled materials.
Inspired by her approach, I’ve decided to use what I have for my miniature projects, whether it’s craft supplies I’ve collected over the years or boxes headed for the recycle bin. If I need something I haven’t got, I’ll head to the thrift store. Everything there is something someone no longer wants and I see nothing wrong with turning a discarded toy into part of a diorama. What’s important is that the materials get used, not how.
Of course, some consumable materials like glue and paint will probably be purchased at some point, but I currently have quite a lot of both. It will be interesting to see how much I can do with what I already have.
Do you prefer to craft with new or used materials?
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