Piling up things at home can be a big problem if not dealt with. Items that are unused or rarely used often fill up space, create clutter, and reduce comfort.

Instead of letting these items pile up and become a burden, we can turn them into something of value through mixed media-based crafts. By utilizing various types of materials, including recycled waste, this craft can help reduce the pile of items while producing unique and interesting works of art.

Why Choose Mixed Media?

Mixed media supports creativity that knows no boundaries. You don't need to stick to one type of material and are free to experiment with various materials. Mixed media-based art works can be combined with the used goods recycling movement, so you can create unique and personal works of art while contributing to preserving the environment. 

Get to Know the Types of Media and Materials

The choice of materials for mixed media crafts is wide. Some commonly used materials include:

• Natural Ingredients: wood, stone, clay, leaves, dried flowers, grains, sand, and seashells.
• Artificial Ingredients: paper, fabric, plastic, metal, glass, paint, glue, and various types of accessories.
• Recycled Material: used newspapers, cardboard, plastic bottles, cans, and scraps of fabric or scraps.

Finding Beauty in Combining Ingredients

One of the interesting things about mixed media crafts is the process of experimentation. You can create unique visual effects and textures by combining different materials, an experience that is not only fun but also beneficial for the environment.

For example, you can combine scrap wood pieces with patchwork or recycled metal pieces with used glass. By choosing readily available materials and using environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques, you not only reduce waste, but also create unique and meaningful works of art.

3 Creative Mixed Media Craft Ideas That Are Easy to Make

By combining various materials, you can create unique works of art that reflect you. Here are some ideas you can try:

1. Unique Flower Vase from Recycled Glass Bottles

Materials and tools:

• Glass bottles of various shapes and sizes
• Hemp rope, woolen thread, or ribbon
• Acrylic paint in various colors
• Brush
• Small pebbles

How to make:

• Clean the glass bottle until it is clean and dry.
• Paint the entire surface of the bottle with the base color. If you want to maintain the original color of the bottle, you can skip this step.
• Add accents by winding hemp rope or wool thread randomly. You can also create geometric or abstract patterns using masking tape.
• Stick small pebbles at the bottom of the bottle to give a natural impression.
• Nameplates from Wood and Recycled Paper

Materials and tools:

• Wood pieces of various shapes and sizes
• Waste paper (newspapers, magazines, books)
• Lem
• Acrylic paint
• Brush
• Wooden letters or stencils
• Sandpaper

How to make:

1. Smooth the surface of the wood with sandpaper, then clean off any dust that sticks to it.
2. Cut the waste paper as desired. Apply glue to the wooden surface, then stick the pieces of paper randomly or in a certain pattern.
3. Once the paper is completely stuck, you can add color by painting the wooden surface.
4. Use wooden letters or stencils to write names and words on the board. You can also add painting with a brush.
5. Recycled Decorative Lamps

Materials and tools:

• Clear or colored glass bottles
• LED lights in various colors
• Power cable
• Acrylic paint
• Brush
• Drill

How to make:

1. Clean the glass bottle until it is clean and dry.
2. Make a small hole at the bottom of the bottle to insert the LED light cable.
3. Paint the outside of the bottle with bright colors or as desired. You can also create patterns or add interesting images.
4. Insert the LED light into the bottle and make sure the cable is connected correctly.

Those are three mixed media-based craft ideas to produce valuable works of art. Apart from that, this craft can also provide benefits to the environment. What are you waiting for? Let’s try being creative with mixed media!