Category: Plants

Instructions from a Persian recipe for dyeing paper with henna. From Bodleian Libraries, Oxford.

Video by Svetlana Bell showing how to make a simple frame from household materials and 6 and 8 pointed stars.

Instructions by Ruth Hofer – how to carve pendants and inlay stones.

Instructions from All Year Round by Ann Druitt, Christine Fynes-Clinton, Marije Rowling.

Beautiful description of Autumn Gnomes role at a seasonal table and the Gnomes’ Bonfire Party. All Year Round Ann Druitt, Christine Fynes-Clinton, Marije Rowling first published 1995.

Simple, natural, easy to make, clean looking, and super spinning dreidel tutorial by tali buchler.

A collection of jewellery made from melon seeds

Instructions for a South African plaiting technique used to make hats from maize husks. Margaret W. Campbell (1937).

The first known printed instructions for this technique using leather to make a belt. Margaret W. Campbell (1937).

How to make a Pookalam (Flower Rangoli) By Monisha Dhanaraj. Plus more examples of Pookalam.

Kits of pushpins that can bring every bottle cork to life. Designed by Reddish Studio, Israel, sold by Monkey Business, USA.

Innovative and sculptural ideas on how to use old corks in window display of Anthropologie stores.

Cork has been used as flooring for a very long time because of its natural beauty, durability and renewability. Learn more about the process of creating cork flooring, Video by RealCorkFloors

The cork oak (Quercus suber) is the primary source of most cork products in the world, These trees primarily grow in countries that run along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea including Portugal, Algeria, Spain, Morocco, France, Italy and Tunisia. Read more…

Although we all recognize a cork – how many of us actually know where it comes from? Here´s a clip to fill in that blank…

Corks glued over wooden base by Aaron Kramer.

Plastic bottle Windmill design video with cork and cable tie by Ursula Allen from Switzerland AKA The Recycling Queen

Video by Chris from The Ultimate Recycler describing an investigation – using a wormery – into how the parts of a mattress/base could be disposed of without taking to landfill.

Video of Cindy from Upcycle Design lab taking apart a box spring in order to recycle some parts and reuse some springs.

Carla took apart a mattress and box spring to see what was involved, In her podcast, Carla shares info about how some states in the US are testing innovating recycling programs.

Text instructions by Anna Subritzky for these flax stars with a little of the background of the tradition. I’m interested to find out what I can substitute harakeke for, here in Europe.

by Verena Stella Gompf and Cordula Kehrer
I this would look great if used as a repair method instead of artistic statement – it would give added value and meaning.

by Fernando and Humberto
Though I expect these were made from new, the idea of repairing commonplace plastic chairs in this way appeals.

Lois’s blog has many posts about old baskets she comes across. This one highlights her method of cleaning them.

by Lois Walpole
Tidy the garden and make something highly useful from dead leaves. Instructions include 2 videos.

Lois’s knowledge on Besoms, Brooms and Swales inspired by the swale made by her neighbour. Abridged. I am inspired to test which of my local shrubs will work well for a broom.

Quick video by Archetypal Visual Arts showing how to make a coconut leaf windmill toy.

Instructions how to make a porotaka by Avalon Primary School, New Zealand – flax leaf spinner toy from the Cook Islands.

Instructions by New Zealand Electronic Text Collection – from the Cook Islands

Woven with a continuous strip of 50 foot half inch rawhide. This diamond pattern seat is said to be very durable.
By Chris

A global story for a reuse product that incorporates traditional artisan weaving skills. Founded by the designer Alvaro Catalán de Ocón
Sponsored in Colombia by Coca-Cola.

Instructions to weave a ball out of fire hose as a heavy duty animal toy by Steven Ok.

A story to describe how to make a windmill toy from coconut palm,
by Marion Healy, Mackay Queensland Australia

Woven leather dog is influenced by woven cigarette packet sculptures.
Matt Fothergill