January 2013 | the ReFab Diaries

Bottles created by certain famous soda companies are now, apparently, 100% plant based. That means they have a lower carbon footprint and use renewal sources. Good news. However, they are not biodegradable. Ye olde soda-pop makers have figured out how to use plants to create exactly the same polymers you find in other plastic. So when it comes to plastic pollution, nothing has changed. These bottles are still floating in oceans and clogging landfills.  

They're also being upcycled in some really appealing ways ... so don't throw them out. Be inspired and turn them into other things!

1. Candle sticks

2. Necklace

3. Chandelier

4. Jewelery Stand

5. Coin purse

6. Bracelet

7. Soda Planter




This refabber was very quiet Nov-early Jan because I was home in South Africa for the first time in over a decade! It was an amazing trip ... restorative and inspiring. And I took a ton of "refab" pictures to share with you! The first set focuses, obviously, on upcycling. It's everywhere! It always has been ... people living below the poverty line (with no capital) create things using found materials. Free materials whenever possible. In the past, most of this stuff was sold on the side of the road. Today, it's easily found in more formalized settings ... everywhere from flea markets to high-end "souvenir" stores in Knysna and Cape Town. Soda and tin cans are an obvious, go-to material. So you'll see a lot of things created from those. But there were some surprises!

Scroll down for inspiration and tutorials... 

A while back I linked to an awesome book headboard DIY.  My friend Terri had been threatening for years to create such a thing ... apparently this tutorial was the fire she needed. Her wonderful creation is pictured above ... a work of art doubling as a headboard. Now I want one. Really badly.  

I saw a copy of Ideas Magazine while in South Africa recently and I'm sold! The styling is wonderful and the tutorials detailed and generous. Learn how to turn magazine/catalog pages into a paper handbag/purse here. 

Perfect example of looking at an old object in a new way ... slick right? Thanks to James from Design Jazz for contacting me with this one. Check out more images (and more re-use ideas) here. 


Ok ... first actual post of 2013! I've been in South Africa for a month and have tons of fun things to share with you (and a few goodies to give away). But it's going to take me a while to sort through it all and organize my thoughts. Meanwhile, some PVC pipe refabbing that I spotted last year and saved. Complete how-to at Adventures in Creating. 


Plastic Infographic


Thanks Allison Morris for sharing this graphic. Read more at onlineeducation.net

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