This blog post is cross-posted at ecojunki.

Harness your creativity to make something useful and keep something else out of landfill. I like the idea of making unique pieces of furniture for my home, and I like not having to pay (or paying very little) for materials to make something that’s worth more than the sum of its parts. Something out of nothing, or something out of rubbish. I’ve collected some ideas from all over the web to bring you some inspiration. Let’s make a chair.

The Octopus

This is the project that inspired me to write this blog post. This chair is made of four pairs of charity shop jeans and polystyrene balls. It doesn’t look like a very difficult project, and you could probably replace the polystyrene balls with a more eco-friendly material. The seats of the jeans are sewn together to form the seat of the chair, and the legs become the octopus tentacles that are the backrest. Have a look at the octopus chair from other angles to get the idea of what needs sewing to what.

The Trolley

Once you’ve watched the video above you’ll have all the know-how needed to undertake the project of turning a shopping trolley into a very trendy chair. I do feel though that I have a moral obligation to remind DIY enthusiasts that stealing trolleys is wrong and not what I’m encouraging you to do here.

The Tractor Seat

If you have an old tractor seat or lawn-mower seat lying around (or you could put a wanted ad on Freecycle, I’ve acquired an old tractor tyre in this way to make a sandpit for my young daughter) and a broken office chair, you can make this really cool tractor seat swivel chair. Full instructions here. I once bought one of these (with a flimsy plastic seat) from Ikea for my son and was charged a whopping great £19.99. You can make this project for nothing. But even if you resort to buying a tractor seat at a car boot sale or similar, it’ll still be a whole lot cheaper, and more unique, than shelling out for the plastic manufactured alternative (and of course there’s always the karma that comes from keeping stuff out of landfill – priceless).

The Cardboard Stool

You’ll need three large bits of corrugated cardboard to make this stool, so would be a great way to populate your new home with furniture once you’ve unpacked the boxes. It reminds me of a Djembe drum, so great for that entho-bongo look, and you could decorate the stool by painting it or gluing embellishments onto it. The full instructions at dangerouslyfun warn not to tilt or lean the stool while you’re sitting on it, or you will seriously shorten its useful life.

Grow your own lawn chair

While not strictly recycling, this chair is so amazing that I just had to include it here. You could argue that you’re reusing soil and turning a lawn into something useful. And there’s no need to buy the rather expensive cardboard frame and grass seed kit, just study the image shown to create your own frame from old cardboard boxes, then purchase some grass seed down at your local garden centre and decide where you want to “plant” your chair. Assemble your cardboard frame and place it where you want your chair, then fill it with soil and sprinkle with grass seed. Water every few days. For best results, wait until spring before starting this project.

This is the first of what I hope will be a regular Eco-DIY feature here at EcoStreet to include recycling ideas, home DIY projects and eco-friendly crafts Please stay tuned.

I’m completely enchanted by Makazi’s Guesthouse. It’s built out of sandbags, and is kitted out with solar heating, composting toilets and recycled furniture. The house has been beautifully decorated (inside and out) and all profit made is used to fund the community-based Indlovu project, including a crèche, youth centre, clinic and soup kitchen.

This would be an eye-opening and different stay for any visitor to Cape Town,

Makazi’s Guesthouse is a community-built project in the Monwabisi Park area of Khayelitsha. For more information or to book accommodation, email office@shaster.org.za or phone +27 216571026 or +27 833750988.

sisonke singenza amahluko is Xhosa for “together we can make a difference”

photo credit: mamakalisa

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Here you are folks, a random assortment of things you can make for people you love. Things that are better than things you can get in shops because: a) they’ve been made locally, b) they’ve not cost you much, and c) they’re made with love.

1. Pony Tyre Swing
What child wouldn’t love one of these? Instead of spending a fortune on a swing from a shop, just recycle an old tyre off your car, add a few nuts and bolts, a bit of elbow grease, and Bob’s your uncle. A pony fit for a prince or princess, whichever applies. Here’s the pattern and full details on how to make it.

2. Blooming Recycled-Tyre Planter
Here’s one that the moms, girlfriends and wives will love, I know I would, and another way to recycle one of your old car tyres. Again a bit of elbow grease is required, but the results are worth it. The instructions mention it being easier to do out in the warm sunshine. At this time of year you may need to warm the tyre up next to a radiator (make sure you don’t make dirty marks on the carpet). Pictures and instructions here.

3. Recycled Blanket Slippers
Who doesn’t like a comfy, warm pair of slippers? An old woollen blanket will make these cute slippers for your granny, husband or mum. Sewing skills required. Full tutorial from Sew Green.

4. Frame it
There’s no better gift for a grandparent than a photograph of a beloved grandchild. Take a picture, and frame it in a fancy frame made from recycled corrugated cardboard. Here’s how.

5. I am a plastic bag
Get rid of all the plastic bags cluttering up your under-sink cupboard in the kitchen and give your best friend, sister or mom a really cool shopping bag all at the same time. Eat your heart out Anja Hindmarch! Crochet this large plastic shopping bag.

6. I am a plastic bag too
A bag with dads and brothers in mind. This messenger bag is made by ironing plastic bags together to make them thicker, and then sewing them together to make a bag with style.

7. Have we forgotten anyone
Here’s a special something for man’s best friend, or your feline friend too. And a way of getting rid of all the odd socks that build up after the washing machine eats one of the pair. Make your pet a comfy, warm bed out of old socks.

If you haven’t got a crafty bone in your body, keep your eyes open for our green and ethical xmas gift guide, coming to EcoStreet sometime this week.

UK urban land artist and guerilla gardener Anna Garforth turned 2-litre milk bottles into cute characters with green hair-does and put them out in the streets for everyone to enjoy. She calls this project “Head Gardner”.

[via Recyclart]

This blog post is cross-posted at ecojunki.

I used to sleep on a pallet bed when I found myself a young single mom living in London on a small income and in need of a bed. For a few pounds and some help from a friend with a van, I got 12 old pallets home for a double-sized bed for me and six for my son’s single bed. A couple of affordable Ikea mattresses completed the picture.

Lori Danelle’s taken the pallet bed idea a step further and made a toddler bed, complete with casters, headboard, foot-board and side-guard. She’s posted a full tutorial online. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

{DIY} Toddler Pallet Bed [Lori Danelle]

This reclaimed whisky barrel flooring from McKay Flooring in Scotland is not cheap at £149 a square metre, but it is beautiful and doing your sun salutes on it in the morning will be a fragrant experience.

You only need an empty can and a pair of pliers to make this cute flower cookie cutter.

Full instructions at Instructables:
Quick And Simple Flower/Clover Cookie Cutter From A Soup Can

Popsickle stick guitar [Instructables]
Craftzine

I first found out about the old National Geographic stash when my boyfriend and I moved in together in 2001. He’s now my husband and the National Geographic collection has crossed continents with us. I was very excited to see this. Something like this would look great on the wall in the living room of our new house.

Sean Miller designed and made the National Geographic magazine shelf and was a finalist in the Inhabitat Spring Greening Contest.

Sean Miller
Inhabitat Spring Greening Contest finalists
Magazine shelf – Recyclart