crafts

There's an old saying, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without," which can be traced back to WWII days when people conserved in order to help the war effort. These days the saying is "reduce, reuse, recycle." Everybody knows to recycle their plastic, newspapers and glass, but what about clothing?

When you get a card in the mail, what do you normally do with it? Do you post it on the fridge? Maybe save your cards in a box? Or do you read it and throw it away (or recycle it)? In an effort to cut down on the amount of waste created by greeting cards, we would like to offer some ideas on ways to re-use your old greeting cards!

Some options include cutting the cards into strips to use as bookmarks or folding them into origami holiday ornaments or gift boxes. However, the option that we will illustrate is how to "make your own mini journal."

--Excerpted from Artists' Materials and www.epa.gov/grtlakes/seahome/housewaste/house/arts.htm

In recent years, many people have become more informed about the potential hazards of art and craft materials to themselves and to the environment. Many artists, particularly those who have had allergic reactions or health conditions caused by certain materials, are switching to less toxic media. Others are concerned about the pollution and run-off into our water from using toxic art supplies.