I've been noticing an increasing trend when I look at tutorials and ideas for "green crafts." It seems that at least half of what I see takes what would have been thrown out, and invests time, effort, and possibly money into it, and ends up with something so useless or ugly that it's still trash. Does anyone else notice this? I'm talking about things like this potentially dangerous paperweight (or a curtain weight, according to recommended use) which includes old batteries to make a flower, to keep batteries from leaking in landfills. I guess it's safer for batteries to leak on your curtains.

Or this completely useless drinking cap for kids? The poor child has to hold up both bottles with his hands. He's grinning because he knows how silly it is.

I know that sometimes it's a matter of taste and opinion (these soda pop people could be thought of as cute or kitchy), but at least half of the time I'm saying, "are they serious? Surely the senior editor of that magazine is laughing at us."

 Well... it's better than those who are not thinking, I guess.  I'd be really concerned about the paper/curtain weight, especially in a house with small children or pets - that one is potentially lethal in several different ways.  The drinking cap is, I think, a response to the beer caps that look similar - not something any of the middle school students I teach would be caught dead with, I strongly suspect (and any that would, would get the crap beat out of them).  The soda pop people are, I think, the most creative - I have friends who might decorate their fence with items like that - but again, I'd be worried about children and small pets.

And for all of these items, most people I know would have to go out and buy at least some of the materials - the bags they have wouldn't be the right color (the plastic bags around here are mostly white or brown), the kid wouldn't have a hat s/he was willing to part with, the soda cans might be available, but not the fabric and/or paint to decorate them with....  I understand and appreciate the recycling concept, I just don't think items like this are realistic.

I saw the flower made out of batteries and trash bags. It looked trashy to me, although the old saying comes to mind, " to each his own."

**Caveat--I've been in a pretty hard-core de-cluttering and nesting phase lately, so I am not completely objective at this point. I am planning to call Salvation Army next week to haul away a bunch of perfectly good, usable stuff to make room for baby.

I can see the pop can people being turned into Christmas ornaments or package decorations. I think they could be done well.

Stacie, congrats on getting stuff hauled off! It's so easy to get weighed down with one's possessions. What I really need for myself is two weeks to myself and a blank check from my family to get rid of whatever I want to get rid of. I'm thinking 3/4 of my husband's closet would better go to someone who fits those sizes.

If it satisfies the crafter's need to be creative, and it makes them feel good,  then I say go for it. Not the batteries of course, those should go to a recycle center. But the other items, maybe that is all they have on hand to be creative with. Even if it ends up in the land fill anyway they still got the relaxation and satisfaction of working with their hands and not spending alot of money to do it.  Edey 

Edey:

If it satisfies the crafter's need to be creative, and it makes them feel good,  then I say go for it.

I thought about that too, especially for kids. I can see in some circumstances that the process is as important or more important than the finished results. I just wish the tutorials weren't billed as "green" when they don't really reduce trash.

 I have seen some things that are pretty trashy looking. My DS made Indian Corn out of a toilet paper roller in preschool this week. they so have some crafty things to make out of something that would go in the trash.

 Those soda can characters were all the rage at craft fairs during the country decor rage.  The senior members of my family are still addicted to making them and giving them as gifts.  I am a very frugal and crafty person but I feel the soda cans need to be at the canbank rather than decorating my mantle.  

jcrmom:

 I have seen some things that are pretty trashy looking. My DS made Indian Corn out of a toilet paper roller in preschool this week. they so have some crafty things to make out of something that would go in the trash.

But to a pre-schooler it is the greatest accomplishment of their young life! The pride they feel in making something is so wonderful to see. They just beam with happiness at what they did.  Edey