Creative Recyclers

Cardboard box? Great for lantern.

2009-10-05T23:33:00.000-07:00

Would you like to make the lantern I created for my son this year?

Go find a good pair of scissors, an empty cardboard box, 16 rubber bands and follow these steps. I used a box for packing a 17" monitor to create this lantern.

If you would like to create templates for the lantern to keep for future reference, here is how each piece should look like.

Method:

1) To draw the circles to form the top (1 pc) and base (1 pc) of the lantern, look for 2 plates with one about 3-4cm larger than the other in diameter.

24cm in diameter

20cm in diameter

2) Where there are straight lines marked around the circumference, cut slits through about 2-3cm towards the centre for both circles. The width of each slits depends on the thickness of the cardboard.

Here is a photo of a slit I made at the base.

Note: You can see that I have included a cover from a biscuit tin to protect the base from being damaged by lighted candle and rubber bands to secure the panels to the base.

3) The slits will enable you to slot in panels "C" (8 pcs) to form the sides of the lantern. The length of my panels are based on the height of the box I used, which came up to about 41cm. The width of the panel is 6cm.

41x6cm

4) Once you have cut out 8 pieces of panel "C", cut along dotted line marked on the template to shape the panel.

5) At where you see straight lines, cut a slit of 1cm through at the top and bottom of each panel.

6) Do not discard the cut offs from the base of each panel. Shape the cut outs (8pcs) to form a semi circle before cutting a slit in the centre along the diameter as shown below.

7) Now cut out "D" (16 pcs) to decorate the lantern. The length should be double the width of panels "C". Mine came up to 12x4cm. Cut at dotted lines to shape them.

12x4cm

Note: Two pieces of "D" will be required to decorate each panel. It will only be stapled to the panels, one on each side, after all panels have been inserted to the top and base of the lantern.

To assemble:

1) Get your 16 rubber bands ready. Secure two rubber bands to the base of each panel "C" as shown here.

2) Bottom to bottom, slot all panels to base, circle "B". The slits at "B" should sit between the "V" of the rubber bands which will hold each panel in place.

3) Slit to slit, top to the top, slot the panels to circle "A".

4) Staple "D" one and each side of panel "C", right below circle "A". Then push a semi cirlce into each panel as shown here.

5) At the top of lantern, cut a smaller circle in its centre. Punched two holes opposite each other. Push a string through one hole then the other end to the other before tying knots at each end. I used a string that I removed from a paper bag I have.

6) You can decorate it further by colouring it or sticking coloured papers on it.

7) Your lantern is ready. Just remove 1 panel to insert candle for a light up.

8) Push the panel back in place once candle is lighted. Enjoy.

If you like this, check out the free tutorials for other lanterns that I have created.

Make a hexangon shaped lantern.

2008-08-11T05:06:00.000-07:00

Have you bought moon cakes to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival yet? I have not but lanterns I have created for my children are ready. Here is a tutorial guide on the one I have created for Calvin.

Free Tutorial for Lanterns

View SlideShare presentation (tags: free tutorial lanterns cupboard)

To do the cut out for decorating the surface, check out the instruction for creating a Polish Gwiazdy. It is similar to doing a cut out for snowflakes. The design of the one I have pasted on my lantern is cut out from a square piece of paper.

Keep folding the square to cut out a triangular shape, circle or a rectangle. You can also fold it at an angle to cut. Open it up to check how it turn out before deciding if you need to do more cut outs.

Paper Bag Transformation

2008-07-02T02:24:00.000-07:00

The library at Sungai Long Buddhist Society needs book stands for its collection of National Geographic magazines. I decided to create book stands for them since I would like to help the society save some funds.

If you are interested to make your own, I have the instruction on this slide show.

| View | Upload your own

Embroidery frame and balloon. What's the connection?

2008-06-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

If you have kids at home, you are bound to have some balloons from parties the kids had attended. These may have been given out at shopping complexes during promotions. Once these balloons have deflated what can you do with them?

First go and look around for some embroidery frames. You most likely have at least one sitting in your store room somewhere from a past hobby phase someone in your family went through.

Got that? Now sit down and watch Hillar Bergman creates a drum out of them with the help of some clamps.

Drum away abandoned materials.

Table Chic from Trash

2008-06-10T01:30:00.000-07:00

I have been watching David Tutera on Party Planner and...

...he has inspired me to create a flora centre piece for dining table.

All you need to salvage from your bin are:

1) 4 Plastic Bags in one or two colours to from stamens
2) 4 Plastic Bags in a larger size to from petals of flower
3) 2 Plastic Bags in smaller size in 2 different shades of colour
4) 7 small batteries to to add weight to piece
5) 2 rubber bands

Equipment Needed
1) Scissors

Here is the instruction.

| View | Upload your own

Like it? Then make many of them in different shades to decorate your dinning table.

I have been inspired by David. Have I inspired you?

A reminder that words can kill.

2008-01-01T05:41:00.001-08:00

So, you like my write up about props and would like to create your own?

These are the material and tools you need:

1) Scissors
2) Rubberbands
3) Magic Pen for writing and colouring
4) Cardboard from a box

Method

1) Create the handle and write the word "Handle" on it. The handle can be in any style you like. I have created mine by drawing circles that overlap one another.

2) Reinforce the cardboard by stapling a narrow strip of cardboard to the back of the handle at the tip and mid section of the handle.

3) Create another piece to form the "T" of the handle. Write the words "With Care" on this piece.

4) Create the sharp end of the sword and write the word "Swords" in the direction as shown in the picture.

5) Staple the handle together as shown below.

This is how it will look from the front.

6) Place the pointed end of the sword on top of the handle, with words facing out.

Turn it around to check to make sure that the handle covers the first letter, "S", of the word "SWORDS".

Use the rubberbands to hold them together.

When you turn the pointed end the other way and hold it in place with the rubberbands. This is what you will get...

... a picture like this when you cannot afford a serious actor.

Drawers cum gift boxes.

2007-12-17T00:50:00.000-08:00

Would you like to create this gift box to fit the "Chest of Drawers"?

Method:
1) Cut the bottom off the tissue box. The bottom will form the cover of the box.

2) Place the cover on the opening, as shown below, to get it to fit before stapling the sides of the cover up to hold it in shape.

3) Add thin cardboard to fit the sides and bottom of the box to reinforce it. Staple them to the box.

Here is a picture of the cover beside the box.

Place the cover on the box and this is how it will look.

Paper mache it with 1 layer of white paper to colour it or wrap it up with wrapping paper.

Here is another modified version of the "Chest of Drawers" earlier posted. This one has legs.

The legs are made of leftover strips of cardboard placed laterally to level with that of the extended end on both sides of the chest.

X'mas? A time to be merry recycling.

2007-12-10T05:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas is around the corner. With feasting and gifts exchanging I see lots of used cards, wrapping papers and packagings, that come with the gifts we received, to recycle. Recycling is about making use of waste as raw material to make another product. So, what can we create with these if we are not sending them to the recycling centre?

How about a "Chest of Drawers" to keep all the new stuff you have received? I learned how to make one from helping out at the Holiday Camp organised by the Sungai Long Buddhist Society recently.

Here is my modified version.

Material Required

1) Cardboard from boxes
2) Used wrapping paper
3) Old newspaper
4) Used enveloped; white ones if you like to paint it, coloured if you like it as is.
5) Greeting cards
6) 3 Empty boxes. Each box should be able to fit within the width size of 22.5cm, height of 10cm and depth of 12cm. A very good example of one will be your regular tissue boxes.

Equipment
1) Ruler
2) Blade
3) Scissors
4) Glue (Make your own starch with tapioca or corn flour)

Method

Step 1

Prepare templates in the following sizes:
A) 22.5x10cm
B) 12x10cm
C) 12x22.5cm

You can use these templates to source boxes that you need for the project.

Use templates to cut out the following:

Size A - 3 pieces to form back of slot for drawers
Size B - 6 pieces to form sides of slot for drawers
Size C - 6 pieces to form top and bottom of slots for drawers

I was able to create the above pieces with a box I picked up from my fruit supplier.

Step 2
To create slots for drawers.

Each slot requires 1 piece of A, 2 of B and 2 of C. Place them in this configuration:

C directly above A
B beside (A in the centre) B beside
C directly below A

as seen in the picture below:

Step 3

Place 2 masking tapes on one side of A, as shown in the following example.

Hold it at right angle to C before pressing down the masking tape to hold them together. Do the same for the other side of A.

Place masking tapes on sides of A to join B to it. This is how it should look like.

Place 1 piece of B directly on top of sides of A and C. Place masking tapes along the sides to hold them together.

Now join the 2nd piece of B to the other side of A and place masking tapes along the sides to hold them together. This is your first slot for your drawer. Create two more of the same slots.

Now place 1 slot over the top of the other until you have all slots sitting neatly on top of the other. Place masking tapes to hold each slot to the other at the sides and back.

Step 4

If you have more cardboard to spare, even if they are thinner, you can paste them to the sides, top, bottom and back of the box to give it a smoother finish. To get the measurement right, place the box on its back to outline it size on the cupboard before cutting it out. Then place the box on its side on another piece of cupboard to outline its size before cutting it out. Do the same for the other side and the top and bottom of box. If not proceed with the paper mache.

We are going to paper mache (papier-mâché) the box with the old newspaper to give it a smoother finish. To prepare newspaper, fold 1 piece in half and half again to cut them up in strips. Divide these strips in half and half again to cut into sizes. My cut strips turn out to be about 4.5x7.5cm.

Step 5

Paste a layer of the cut newspaper strips over the box. Make sure that each strip overlaps the other slightly and covers the areas where the joints meet neatly. Dry 1st layer before adding a 2nd layer. If you are still not happy with the shape of the box, you can add another layer of newspaper strips till you are happy with its form.

Step 6

If you intend to paint your creation, use the white envelopes to form the 3rd and 4th layer of paper mache. If you do not have enough envelopes, you can use any printed white paper that is blank on 1 side. To prepare the envelope, cut along its fold to open it up. Cut out any printing or writings or plastic on the envelope. Fold each piece in half and half again and cut it up. If you are using white paper, just fold it in half and half again then cut. Fold it in half and cut till you get the size you are happy with. I used A4 size paper, and my strips turn out to be about 5.5x7.5cm.

Paste the 3rd layer first, dry it and add the 4th layer. Once it is dry, place the boxes you have collected to create the drawers into the slots to see if they fit.

To create drawers:
Cut the top of the box off to form opening at the top. Paper mache the box with coloured envelope and decorate it with cut outs from the greeting cards or used wrapping paper. Look out for instruction for drawers cum gift boxes in my next posting.

Teach your children to create their own "Chest of Drawers" and encourage them to paint them. If they create them before Christmas, you will have an insight into what they are hopping to receive and store in their "Chest of Drawers".

What better way to reduce waste than to get them what they want.

Need some beats in your life? Try this.

2007-12-03T23:27:00.000-08:00

The music from this video is very inspiring.

Here is music creator, Jamilgiudice from Brazil, showing us how he created his musical instrument.

Discovered from his collection of videos, a new kind of music. Check out some hydraulic musical instruments installed in Ontario Science Centre.

Blue Lantern Free Tutorial

2007-09-25T23:18:00.001-07:00

I felt very bad because some of the children have brought the blue packaging board for packing fruits but I did not have time to teach them how to create lanterns with them.

So, here is the pictorial tutorial for an easier to create design.

You will need:

1) 1 piece blue packaging for packing fruits
2) Scissors
3) Stapler
4) A piece of raffia string or 2 plastic strips cut off plastic bag
5) A stick to hold lantern
6) 1 egg carton

Do not cut the packaging in half. Look at the circled indentations and find the centre point to cut through width wise. After cutting through, you will see that one of the sides will be longer than the other.

From the edge, cut out to follow the shape of the indentations as shown.

You can cut the shape rounded or pointed but be consistent.

Do the same for the other piece.

Place the packaging, smooth sides facing upwards, one indented edge overlapping the other.

Staple the sides together.

Pull the other ends together to form a circle, one indented side overlapping the other in the similar fashion as instructed above and staple them together.

Cut a strip of egg carton long enough to form the base of the lantern. Place it to sit across the base and staple the edge of the egg carton to the edge of the packaging where both sides touched.

To form the candle holder, cut out a strip from the egg carton and cut in half again to form 2 strips with 3 cups protrusions. Cut a slit in the 2nd protrusion of both the strips. Push the base of the candle into the slit to ensure that it will sit tight into these slits.

Overlap the strips to form a cross.

Staple to hold both strips in place at both sides where one cup sits on the other.

This is how it should look with the candle pushed into the slit.

Place it to sit across the base, cup on cup, before lighting candle.

Cut a slit in the centre of the packaging large enough to push a raffia string in to tie up. The string should be long enough to form a handle for the lantern. If plastic bag strips are used, see pictures below on how to string it in.

Do the same for the other side then tie both ends of the plastic strips together to form a loop. Ensure that there is a balance when the lantern is held up.

In this design the slits are cut right in the front facing centre.

Be creative. You can cut holes at the top where the protrusions are on both sides, to form eyes. Cut out slits in the centre protrusion at the bottom to form teeth.

Hidden lesson? Discovered in 3Rs!

2007-09-25T21:35:00.000-07:00

I was asked if I will be talking about the basics of 3Rs, that is, "Reduce, Re-Use and Recycle", when I teach the children how to create lanterns out of egg cartons.

It then dawned on me that the lanterns will not be used just to enlighten their forthcoming mid-autumn festive night walk-about. As I teach them to create, I will take this opportunity to impress upon them that I enjoy working with my imagination to "create something out of nothing". To be able to do the same, all they have to do is develop a habit of looking at the things they have around them with 3Rs in mind and with the knowledge they have already acquired, see how they could make use of them.

With this impressed upon their young minds, I hope that when they start blaming their parents or others for the things they lack, they will remember this lantern making lesson and figure out other ways to attain what they want.

So, did they create anything usable? See for yourself.

A very handy piece for decorating lanterns?

Want to see more pictures? Check out the comments posted on the blog of one of the mothers who have participated with her children.

Look out for my free tutorials in the next posting.

A woven romantic night.

2007-09-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Want to take your love one for a romantic night out but can't afford it at the moment? Bring your sweetheart home for a home cook candle light dinner then. But before you switch off the lights, make sure that you have a lamp ready.

Like to make your own? Go to your fruit suppliers at the market and ask them nicely for a box and at least 2 plastic bags in different colours.

Can't get hold of these big plastic bags? Newspapers work just as well.

Want a clearer view?

Be adventuress. Play with colours.

What are you supposed to do with the box you have collected?

Cut out its bottom and create the weaving tool. The lamp picture posted here was created with the smaller weaving kit.

Oops! Burnt the dishes? Cover up the taste with this love token.

Weaving techniques and what you can use to make small weaving tools can be read off the following link:

Stick to your budget? OK, no problem.

Stick to your budget? OK, no problem.

2007-09-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

Members of the Art and Craft Society in UTAR would like to learn how to make their own handcrafted jewellery. The pliers and the beading materials they would need to buy are way beyond their budget. So, how can I help them?

Let's see if I can teach them to hand weave with this improvised gadget.

So, do they need to buy some stringing material? Not if they can still remember how to cut out some strips out of plastic bags.

Will this be easy for them to pick up? Just check out the instructions posted on the following websites:

How to Make a Corker from All Free Crafts

Lost art of Knitting Nancy

Keep adding another strip of plastic at the end of each woven strip...

... till you get the length you want either for a bracelet or a necklace.

Once you are good at that, you can try weaving with smaller loops.

Here is another spool knitting technique posted on CraftyPod. Ready to work with bead? See for yourself. Now try doing that with wire.

What else can they create with this spool weaving technique? Find out in my next posting.

Exploring to keep a promise

2007-07-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

I promised one of the mothers of De'Kidz Band that I will create more "Recycled Musical Ware" for them to play with so I have been on a look out for ideas.

I picked up a plastic packing material for apples at the fruit stalls and discovered that they make great sounds if you rubbed them with your wet finger tips. I also love the sound of running my spoon over glass bottles, especially in spots where there are indentations.

Today, I discovered Annie Brunson who has a degree in Music and Theater from Bretton Hall. She has taught piano, oboe, and middle school band. She believes that a child's involvement with music is a huge bolster to their self-worth, their confidence and their creative spirit.

To encourage you to do it, she teaches you how to create homemade musical instruments with everyday items. So, check out these free video clips showing you her "how tos":

Click here for more on "Making Music With Children : Homemade Instruments With Everyday Items"

Creation of De'Kidz Band

2007-07-16T06:26:00.000-07:00

Just to test drive how much knockings the Recycled Musical Wares (RMW) I have created can withstand, I brought them over one Saturday morning for the tiny tots, at Sungai Long Buddhist Society Playgroup centre, to play with. The parents and their children enjoyed it so much that one of the mothers is already talking about starting De'Kidz Band.

Is this mother pulling a fast one on us? Let us go to her blog to check that out. Wow, the De'Kidz Band is on YouTube! No kidding.

Recycled Musical Wares In Action

2007-07-09T19:09:00.000-07:00

Could the noise we can create with the recycled musical wares (RMW) blend in with the real things being played by members of the Tugu Drum Circle?

We were there, at Tugu Peringatan off Jalan Parlimen, on 8th July to check that out. How did we do? Let the pictures do the talking.

Here are some of the regular members of the Tugu Drum Circle.

Shaker, Plastic Bumpers and Wooden Clappers in action. Strangers to one another till we started to go with the beat.

A little on a high note with the tin pan drums but having fun creating music is Darly's only objective.

How did I get to know this family from Bahrain? I allowed them to experiment with my RMW and we played towards a universal language.

Here is a new fan to RMW.

Looks like she is going to be a regular at Tugu Drum Circle.

If you think you are not into playing musical instrument, real or otherwise, you can still have fun with a circle of drummers as long as you can move with the beat. I heard that some belly dancers with their finger cymbals have done their hips tilting moves with the drummers.

Need some help and tips persuading your friends to start or join a circle? Let me show you some ways:

Our local drummers in the news. Hey, Teri from Bandar Sungai Long is in the spotlight.

What musical instruments do you need to start?

Check out the RMW used in this university.

How can it be conducted?

Benefits of a drumming group.

How to dance with the beat.

More junk at work.

No instrument, no RMW? Just put your hands together.

Raise fund with it!

So you can create. What now?

2007-06-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

Toyota has started their Tom-Tom Club. I have read and heard that this recreation is thriving at community centers, in churches and public parks. Even music therapist, Christine Stevens, said that it makes people feel more alive and productive and has started her own "Health Rhythms for Remo Drums" wellness centre.

Yes, it is a drum circle we were discussing about starting at our Sungai Long Buddhist Society today. So, should we fork out a sum to buy the necessary musical instruments? Maybe we should start a movement of sounds with our plastic material arty-fication creations to gauge how members of the community feels about the idea.

So, if you think you would like to join us for this no inhibitions, noisy teambuilding fiasco, start creating your own musical instrument and write or call to find out when we will start this sound movement at a park in the neighbourhood of SL 4.

Yes, my children are all ready to stomp with you with...

...her flower drum dress

her colourful shaker

his shaker

Her maracas

His maracas

Scrapper

Tin pan drum

Wooden clappers

and Cymbals

Check out Instrument Encyclopedia if you need more ideas of what other musical instrument you can create.

For young people who find it difficult to socialize, drumming is a good way for you to let out the stress of meeting someone new and it will be very easy for you to discover the right mate. Just follow the one who keeps beating to your rhythm.

You can create music, but think you are not talented enough? Then the drumming circle is the best place for you to explore your inclination and build up your self esteem. You may soon realised that you do have the skills in this field when the novices start drumming to your beat.

Bring the real thing if you think recycled musical wares are not your style.

The Contest Prize

2007-06-29T11:23:00.001-07:00

To encourage participation, I have chosen a pair of earrings, from this set I have created, to give away to the participant who created the best bouquet for the week.

How did we pick the winner from these creations?

Here are the contestants again.

Is this the elimination process?

Is that how he won the prize?

No, lah. These are the winners who won after many rounds of deafening applauses.

Congratulations! Miss K Z Kooh and Miss S W Han

Contest to promote recycling

2007-06-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, 10 cents could get me a bowl of stomach filling noodles in steaming hot soup. I used to record any amount in coins I was able to save from my recess time pocket money. Nowadays, my children can only buy a few sweets with that amount.

Look around and you can sometimes see one cents coins on the streets. Have you ever bothered to pick them up? So, can we blame the children for not valuing money when, we, as parents also leave coins around the house like they do not have any value? So, now imagine what their attitude will be like towards waste material. It would be discarded without a second thought if we do not show them the value they can derive from it through recycling.

To encourage participants to recycle and do their best at it during my workshop, I will be giving out a prize for new designs or ideas. Will the contest prize I am offering be worth their efforts? Let my pictures do the talking in my next posting.

Did the students enjoy the workshop?

2007-06-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

That's a very eye catching creation!

Like my work?

Like my colour combination?

What are they lining up for?

Let me tell you about the contest I have organised for them in my next posting.

New Creations for Plastic Bags Arty-fication Workshop

2007-06-29T09:34:00.003-07:00

Here are some of the new designs I have created for the workshop.

Did the participants enjoy the workshop? Let their pictures do the talking.

Creations From Plastic Bags Arty-fication

2007-06-29T09:34:00.001-07:00

The students were inspired to choose plastic bags to recycle as they have seen the creations I have posted on my blog at GreenBeing Nancy.

I am glad that I took up the challenge to start this workshop as that means that I have to work on creating new designs to interest them to learn. Take a look at my new creations in my next posting.

Creative Recyclers Programme

2007-06-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

I have started a Creative Recyclers Programme with some students of This workshop is one of my “Let’s SOYO” projects created in support of my neighbourhood, Bandar Sungai Long, community programme, managed by the Sungai Long Buddhist Society.