DIY Up Cycled Gift Bows

If you feel guilty like me about recycling calendars and magazines when they're out of date, there's a cure - convert them into dramatic bows to use for years to come! 

I'm sure there are multiple ways to make them, but this is what I know, so get some scissors, a stapler, a cereal box and a hot glue gun and let's go...

1.  Cut a small circle out of a cereal box about 2-3" diameter - no need for perfection, just a rough one will do.  CAVEAT: I am all about quick & dirty, but if you thrive on precision, knock yourself out with the compass and ruler:-)

2.  Choose a magazine or calendar page and cut strips about 1/2" wide the shortest length of your page.  Again, just free hand, no need for super straight cutting and measuring.  If a magazine, the finished strips will measure about 1/2" x 8".  Cut these in half so they are about 4" long.  If a calendar your strips might be longer and will make larger bows.

1/2" x 4" strips with photobomb deer - mountain living at it's best!

 3.  Take one short strip and curve the ends so one overlaps the other one, making a pointy piece.  If you paper isn't too thick (calendars are usually thicker than mags) you can hot glue the ends together, otherwise you may have to staple.  Try glue first, but if they pop open, staple them.  Make about 18 of these before you assemble the bow.  If your pointy piece is too long and the ends overlap too much, trim them down.

4. Here's where the artistic part kicks in.  Plan your layers out so you have a pleasing arrangement of colors/patterns.  Or wing it and revel in serendipity. 

Next, begin assembly:  Hot glue or staple the pointy pieces, one at a time, close together, around the edges of your circle like so:

Finished first layer

5.  Once you have the first layer attached, start placing the second layer, making these pointy pieces fit between the others.  In the example above you will have 7 pointy pieces on the second layer. I show a stapler here because the glue wouldn't hold this stiff, shiny calendar paper very well. If you have larger gaps between some of them, it won't make much difference once you fill in the other layers; trust me;-)

6.  Once you have all of the open spaces on the 2nd layer done, continue with layer three.  If your circle is pretty full, skip layer 3 and decide how you're going to finish the center*.  Or, if you have room for layer three, continue as before.  

*To finish the center you can make a single loop or try to fit 2-3 pieces in.  It's difficult to glue them in at this point, so you may only get 2 pieces to fit.  If using a loop and it looks too scrawny try cutting a wider strip and using that. Or, get crazy and make curls or shredded pieces that burst out like a firecracker!

finished 2nd layer

starting layer 3

Finished bow with a looped center. 

This is a large Vogue magazine bow with both a third row and a center loop.  Make some! Have fun!

"Trash" Art cum Fashion

Thanks to Pinterest, I just found the amazing artist and designer, Luis Valenzuela whom has invented a stunning collection of gowns constructed from a vast array of discards which he calls EcoArtFashion®.   

An excerpt from his bio outlines why he's now one of my heroes:

"...It was his love for all natural creations that inspired his“green art philosophy” and led him to found the first “green art community” in Florida, where his primary objective has been to actively engage the community in environmental issues. He is the founder of GreenArt USA©, EarthDayMiami™, EcoArtFashion© and created the first EcoArtFashion Week™** in the world, which has become a platform to express the present state of the ethical and new sustainable fashion world."

plastic bags

discarded soccer balls and flags from around the globe

Luis can be reached at shop@luisvalenzuelausa.com   and on Twitter  @valenzuelausa and http://artsyproductionsusa.com

**EcoArt Fashion Week is now called The Art of Fashion.  The 2014 schedule is not posted but you can see snaps from 2013 here.   'Looks like a smashing time by me!