Did It Myself, crafts and recycling

Imagination it's what defines us, distinguishes us from the other animals and if we don't use our criativity we almost go mad. Most of the times it sorts out of nothing special but we can also search for a kick, an inspiration.

DIY on the Internet is one of the most used expressions and often linked to the recovery of materials.
In history of mankind, even after the development of industrialization, handcrafts continued to exist because they were the best and sometimes only way of having some objects and clothes . For example, who does not remember our mothers and grandmothers leafing through magazines looking for new ideas, instructions and molds? When I was younger, I also did a lot of crochet and knit, for my own use. Now, in addition, I love the creativity associated with manual works. I like to try new ideas and materials, give vent to imagination and surprise myself with the result.

Nowadays crafts are associated not only to business, but also with a new vision of the world, more creative and eco-friendly. Reporposing junk became a trend and we can discover amazing and artsy ideas. Seeing them, gives us the will of trying them ourselves.

I'm not a huge crafter but I enjoy all diy creative projects, specially when it envolves also repurposing craft supplies. Colecting them is addictive and most of the times I find myself among huge amounts of all kind of stuff, without even knowing what to do with them. I like the textures, colors and patterns and I store items for sometime, until I begin to be suffocated by them. That's when I start to disencumber, usually giving them to a bric-a-brac near my place.

I love to stroll through shops, markets and garage sales looking at objects searching for inspiration. But I can also get it out of other people ideas found on the net or elsewhere.

Fiber crafts are my favorite and I frequently use yarn that I buy at flea markets or sales promotion. Tablecloth, handbags, hats, belts.. it depends on the inspiration of the moment.

As I told before, I know how to knit and crochet since l was young. My mother taught it to me like she had also learned in her youth. It was a part of girls education in those times. When I got older, I stopped for some years, but it came again with time.

Last year, I begun to crochet amigurumi, those tiny crochet puppets. Most of them were part of my Christmas gifts but I also sold some of them. I find them so cute! We can find free and easy projects on Ravelry, where I also get inspired for other crochet works, like tablecloths and afghans. Both take a long time to end but it's so rewarding!

Some years ago I enjoyed to make dolls out of fabric scrap. Old tshirts, clothes, jeans.. all were used to create my projects. Funny characters like witches, Saints, celebrities were born by hand sewing because I didn't have a sewing machine.

One of the things I love most about sewing softies is the creativity involved. There is no limits when choosing materials to incorporate. You can use plastic bits, cork, beads or any other stuff. Even if we’re not very good in sewing that's not a worry. The main thing is to make a cute face and it will be great! I usually do a little research on pinterest or google images for facial features what is a great help

Jewelry making using all kind of materials is also a pleasure. Buttons, yarn, mosaics, junk, wire.. everything can be easily converted into nice acessories. I usually prefer to create necklaces than bracelets because it’s easy to add to any outfit and make the difference.

I love trash-to-treasure ideas to create fun, eco-friendly projects, turning junk into something that's either useful or pretty, or both. I enjoy to recycle and make different kind of things for home decor or jewellery.