Beale Clayworks

Here is some information about how to collect and use recycled objects in your crafts!

You can save a lot of money on arts and crafts supplies by saving things that you might ordinarily throw away! If you are building up a craft supply box for a classroom, daycare, church or school – get the parents involved by sending out list of these items so they can help out too!

Make sure to prepare each item for storage. Wash and dry anything that contained food or liquids. Remove labels from jars, boxes, containers, etc. Be sure to have a place for each type of item. Plastic shoe boxes or empty baby wipe containers are great for storage. If you organize well, the supplies will be ready and easy to find when you need them!

plastic milk jug lids

plastic milk jugs (1/2 gal. and gallon)

soda can tabs

paper towel tubes

paper grocery bags

plastic grocery bags

baby wipe containers

baby food jars and lids

frozen juice can lids

plastic containers and their lids(like Cool Whip)

empty milk cartons (any size)

plastic soda bottles (any size)

soda bottle lids

junk mail

newspaper

broken crayons

camera film canisters

old computer and music cd’s

plastic produce baskets

magazines

popsicle sticks

old markers

mismatched board game pieces

cardboard or foam egg crates

candy wrappers

rubber bands

Now what do you do with all of this stuff?? Create! Here are a couple of ideas:

Wheelbarrow Planter

Need:

Laundry detergent scoop

2 plastic milk jug lids

6″ length of ribbon

potting soil

flower seeds (seeds)

craft glue

water

Clean and dry scoop and lids. Glue a milk jug lid to each side of the scoop to form the wheels. Allow the glue to dry. Tie the ribbon to the handle of the scoop. Fill the scoop with potting soil, and plant the seeds. Sprinkle the soil with a few drops of water. You can have the child make these planters as gifts. Enjoy!

Ocean Treasures in a Bottle

Need:

empty small clear plastic soda bottle

water

cooking oil

blue food coloring

beads

shells

glitter

coins

Remove the label from the bottle. Pour enough water to fill 3/4 of the bottle. Add a drop of blue food coloring. Add in the shells, beads, coins, and glitter. Fill the remainder with cooking oil. Place the lid on securely – you may want to wrap the secured lid with electrical tape. Now you have an ocean in a bottle – with treasure!!

If you have trouble getting the entire label off – you may want to place a label over it saying “(child’s name)’s Ocean in a Bottle”.

Have fun and let your children be creative with their recycled treasures!

Pam Lester is the owner and creator of http://www.TheIdeaBox.com. The site offer free kids crafts, recipes, games and activities for parents, teachers and caregivers. Please visit TheIdeaBox.com for more great ideas!

Making a small flat clay pottery Terracotta Urn Planter on the potters wheel throwing demo Ingleton

New England Pottery hand painted vase planter New $9.99

Matte White Fluted Pedestal Pottery Flower Planter/Vase $9.99

Vintage Two Pottery Art Duck Planters $18.74

CAMARK POTTERY INTERTWINED DOUBLE SWAN PLANTER mk offer $8.50

UNUSUAL POTTERY BOWL DISH PLANTER W ANTELOPE USA NR $8.95

HULL Pottery Planter $6.99

Large Old Art Pottery ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL Planter $33.99

Vintage Royal Copley Art Pottery Planter/Dish 20S $4.99

CHINESE 10" Ceramic POTTERY PLANTER Garden Butterfly $16.99

mint large 1950s mexico burro siesta pottery planter $9.99

Pottery Planter with Embossed Wave Design $24.00

Vintage Art Pottery ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL Planter $19.99

SWAN & PLANTER ORANGE POTTERY SET STANGL OR ? SHAWNEE $19.95

Lefton no.4642 CUTE Baby/Kewpie Art Pottery Planter $20.00

Shawnee Pottery Wt Fluted Scroll Handled Planter/Vase $9.99

BRUSH MCCOY - MUSHROOMS - Brown POTTERY PLANTER 1970's $6.99

Vintage Ornate Asian Design Hanging Pot Pottery Planter $9.99

Vintage California Pottery Peach Colored Planter $8.50

Vintage Royal Haeger Pottery Elephant Planter RARE!! $0.99

EAGLE POTTERY 1987 DISH/PLANTER GREENS WITH DESIGNS $19.99

MCCOY POTTERY NUSERY PLANTER $12.99

Vintage Royal Haeger Pottery Donkey Planter RARE!! $0.99

VINTAGE LIME GREEN MCCOY POTTERY USA PLANTER $7.95

VINTAGE GREEN DRIP USA FOOTED POTTERY PLANTER $7.95

Unique Vintage Made in Italy Pottery Planter Butterfly $24.00

Dog Animal Face Large Pottery Planter Made in England $35.00

VINTAGE MEXICO POTTERY FOLK ART PLANTER~MEXICAN~7" BOWL $15.99

Haeger Art Pottery Jardinier Planter Tan with Specks $10.99

Vintage McCOY FLORALINE POTTERY RIBBED PEDESTAL PLANTER $0.99

Antique '20s McCoy Matte Art Pottery Jardiniere Planter $12.50