http://www.care2.com/greenliving/alternative-art-materials.html
Alternative Art Materials
While it’s important to have good-quality art materials around, it’s also important (and fun) to look around for alternative materials of the free, recycled, and edible (yes, edible!) variety. Here are some ideas to get you started from The Creative Family (Trumpeter, 2008) by Amanda Blake Soule.
The Pantry
This makes a perfect opportunity to clean out any food that might be too old to eat (but not necessarily too old to play with). Think beyond pasta necklaces, and head for other grains, beans, and seeds. Think about color and texture as you pick your materials. Your chosen food can become the contents shakers, objects to be glued on paper or wood, or baubles to be strung.
Nature
There’s no greater source for materials that out in the world. Look for small rocks, leaves, acorns, bar, pine cones, and more. The hunt for material will become an adventure itself. These items, along with a bit of glue and paper or wood, can become a beautiful collection of mixed media art for your little ones.
Trash
Yes, you read that right. I mean garbage–or perhaps a little less frightening, the recycling bins. Take some inspiration from the great recycling artists out there and get creative with the stuff that you (or others) are getting rid of. Keep an art box for the kids full of random pieces that are otherwise headed for the trash: Old newspapers for papier-mache, and magazines and old calendars for collages.
Thrift Shop
Scour your local thrift shop or charity shop for alternative art materials at a good price. Dishes, fabric, leather–so many “thrifted” things can have a new life when you and your children put your creative minds to the task.
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
29 comments
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I took some small logs cut from our own trees, and went to the dollar store to find some inexpensive greenery and flowers. I wired them on the logs, and change them out during the holidays with themes. I used them for Xmas, with holly etc, and scraps of ribbon, then changed them out for Easter, New Years, St. Patty's Day, Valentine's Day etc with scraps for a new theme each time. You can just let your imagination run, and use the materials over and over again to fit the theme of the holiday or season.
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I donate all my old cardboard to my grandson who can do remarkable things with it. Several years ago at the age of 6 he made a walkie talkie & police badge for himself. Now that he's older he's branched out into using many other found articles.
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Pine and spruce cones make fabulous decorations and wreathes for fall or Christmas. Consider table center pieces made from branches gleaned from the hedges adding bright pieces found at the thrift stores. I get "oasis blocks" from the florist and make my center pieces so that they can be watered and last for weeks. I always slice the branches at the end so that surface can draw water into the branch.
Cones can be painted with children's glue and sprinkled with glitter of all colors and really look great on the Christmas tree. Ribbons or wire can be twisted into the first row of the cones nearest the stem. They can then be tied to the trunk or branches of the tree just like they grow naturally.
Get out the glue gun and have you imagination run wild, making wreaths and center pieces. There is no end to what you can make. With most supplies found in nature the cost is very low. Have fun!!!
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There's a place called SCRAP in Portland Oregon too.
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thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner,Prefabrik
mega kabin
Konteyner
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Your ideas are inspirational, I have five grandchildren and I'm always looking for green creative ideas. Thank You
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Art is a human trait... why not make it an earth-loving activity!
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Thankyou for the article. I always go to the Salvation Army and the Goodwill stores for what I need, I always find something that can be used for my crafts and igather materials to make my yo yo quilts.
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my dad use to say there money in muck and scrap how do you think gypsie can aford new van and caravan and it all tax free
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