Making treasures out of trash involve taking ordinary items that most people would throw away and turning them into something new and different. These projects are great for children, but adults seem to love them, too. Artists have been using found art for decades, but this is something entirely different. This is something that parents can do with their children on a rainy day and know that they're reducing junk at the same time.

One example of recycled art projects are collages. Simply tear pictures out of magazines, print pictures off the Internet, or save those little pieces of wrapping paper left over at the end of the year. Then glue all of those pieces onto a larger piece of cardboard, making sure to overlap everything slightly. A little bit of spray glue or sealant will protect that piece of art for years to come.

Everyone seems to have wrapping paper left over after Christmas or a birthday party. The pieces aren't usually big enough to wrap anything else so they usually go in the trash, but there are ways to reuse it. The leftover pieces can be used to cover an empty jar like a mayonnaise jar or even a baby food jar. These make excellent banks, or even a gift to give someone during the holidays when filled with candy or cookies. Using the printer, the artist can make a gift card and tie it around the neck of the gift with a piece of ribbon or string.

Larger pieces of wrapping paper can be used on tissue boxes, shoeboxes, or any other small box that would otherwise end up in the trash. These boxes work well as memory boxes to store those special memories. They also work well as gift boxes, especially with a handmade gift tag placed on the front. Not only will it help save the environment, but they're something unique and special.

The Make Stuff websites lists hundreds of different recycled art projects for adults and kids alike. They categorize everything based on the main product used such as wire hangers, cardboard tubes, and even plastic bottles. Another good website is Imagination for Kids. This site lists art projects just for kids and they have easy to follow steps.

Another website geared towards kids is Crafts from Recycled Products. They list a large number of unusual crafts such as turning old candy containers into doll clothing. Recycled Christmas Card Ornaments shows step by step instructions on turning old cards into ornaments, while Recycled Gift Bags shows how to make gift bags out of household items.

The Kinderart website lists a page called Art From Anything, which contains links to other types of art projects that can be made from recycled products. Artists Helping Children also lists a number of different art projects of this type.

Other helpful websites include Recycled Crafts, Art Cars, Folk Art and Recycled Art Project, Recycled Art Projects and Recycle Your Old Junk Into a New Art Project.

Please feel free to print out any of these resources at home. Before you do, please be sure to stock up on high quality remanufactured inkjet and toner cartridges.

This was written by Printerinks.com, your home for printer inks and laser toner.