Trash to Treasure: Upcycling the Homestead Way
Let’s talk trash… homestead trash, that is.
If you’ve spent any time living the homestead life, you know it produces its own special kind of “waste.” Feed sacks, torn work jeans, even the odd pile of spent shotgun shells from a weekend of target practice — they all seem to multiply overnight. But here at Second Time Around Homestead, we look at that growing pile not as garbage, but as potential. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to crochet with brand new yarn and create cute hats, ice cream cozies, etc. But upcycling, ie. free supplies, is fantastic, too!
Because one woman’s trash? That’s another woman’s next best craft project.
From Feed Bags to Fabulous Totes
It started with grain bags. You know the kind — those colorful, crinkly sacks that once held chicken feed, rabbit pellets, or bird seed. Most folks toss them out without a second thought, or they pile up waiting to be taken to the dump. But I couldn’t bring myself to waste all that durable material. So I dusted off my sewing machine and turned those bags into sturdy, reusable tote bags. Some of the pictures on those bags are gorgeous!
Now, those totes are a staple of my summer days and a best-seller in my shop. Bright, bold, waterproof, and tough enough to handle a haul of veggies or a trip to the beach: they’ve got character and a backstory.
Bonus? Every bag I make keeps one more plastic sack out of the landfill.
Denim Dreams: The Life After Jeans
Before that came the jeans. If you’ve ever wrangled livestock, chased after toddlers, or spent a full day planting potatoes, you’ve got at least a few pairs of “retired” jeans with blown knees and worn-out seams. But denim is too good to waste, so I started cutting and stitching.
Now, those ripped jeans become everything from patchwork organizers to rustic coasters to little zipper pouches with attitude. Some might even get transformed into funky aprons or quilted pot holders. If it’s got enough fabric to work with, it’s fair game on my sewing machine.
Every stitch tells a story of us, of hard work, fresh air, and making do.
BLAM! Shotgun Shells Get Crafty
Then, just when I thought I’d seen it all, inspiration struck again — literally, in the form of spent shotgun cartridges. After a rounds at the Skeet Club, we had buckets of those bright red and green shells lying around. Rather than let them rust away, I decided to try something different.
Now those shells are becoming magnets, keychains, jewelry, and even decorative wreaths. They add a bold pop of color, a little rustic edge, and a lot of conversation to any craft fair table. It’s a fun way to honor the homestead lifestyle while keeping waste out of the woods and turning it into something beautiful and useful.
The ones I haven’t used yet, I have in our Etsy shop, because it turns out, other people have the same idea!
Why Upcycle?
Sure, I could throw these things away. But turning cast-offs into crafts is more than just being thrifty. It’s about creativity, sustainability, and a little bit of rebellion — saying “no thanks” to the throwaway culture and “yes please” to giving things a second life.
Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about taking something forgotten or discarded and turning it into something people want to buy, use, and love. I love giving useful gifts for birthdays and holidays, so don’t be surprised if your gift comes in a tote bag and is something upcycled… Want to see updates as I craft some of these? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
So the next time you’re about to toss something in the trash, stop and take a second look. Could it become a treasure? A craft? A keepsake?
Around here, the answer is usually yes.
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