Turn Junk and Clutter Into Art
Don`t Throw Away Trash; Remake It as an Altered Art Project.
Mar 22, 2008
That phrase ``turning trash to treasure`` is used so much in mixed-media art conversations and articles that it has become cliché. This has happened for good reason, though. There is so much to do with objects and items that people would typically throw away or sell at a garage sale. Or, what about those items you like some aspects of, but not the whole thing? For example, you may have:
- A piece of framed art, but you do not like the frame or the matte.
- Cross-stitching, but you do not like the pattern or the frame it is in.
- Photo albums, but you do not like the cover.
- Tables (or other pieces of small furniture), but you do not like the finish.
- Planters (or other pieces of pottery), but you do not like how they are decorated.
- Knick-knack shelves, but you do not like how they are painted.
You get the idea. There are many opportunities to alter these items into something you absolutely love. Think outside the box! That shelf could be painted up, and you could add some candleholders to the top for a unique candelabra. Those cross-stitched pieces could be painted over or embellished with beads. That piece of framed art could be decoupaged with a collage pattern.
Do not close the door of opportunity by only seeing what you do not like about a piece of furniture, a decorative element, or something of that nature. If you do that, you are missing out on a lot of opportunity for creation. That old hat box could be altered into a photo box. Those old baskets could be altered into gift baskets, or baskets to use as decorations around your home.
When you are ready to start spring-cleaning your home, be sure to set aside a box marked “future art projects.” Once the box is full, set the rest of what you find aside for the trash or for selling. That way, you are still accomplishing your goal to clean and you are not overwhelming yourself with too many projects.
The next time you are in a craft store or your local discount store, see what you can notice about items now that you are no longer focusing on what you do not like about these things. Are you finding a lot of new opportunities for creative projects? Are you looking at things and thinking about how you could improve them? Have fun and let your imagination take over!
