You are bored during Corona quarantine times? Then collect trash or clean up your house and make miniatures for free! On this page, I will show you lots of’ from trash to treasures ideas ‘ and/or everyday items.
My own ideas and crafted pieces, but also projects I found elsewhere.
It is supposed to be cheap and you would just need some materials that you probably already have around the house, like paint, glue, etc.
We as miniaturists have the ‘eye’ for making something out of nothing, meaning that we can see treasures that nobody else would notice. I am amazed at what miniaturists can make sometimes, things I would never have noticed!
I intend to post a lot of them, so keep an eye on this page, even more in the future!
But first: did you know that I have a Youtube channel?
Yes, I have! And as of 2022, I have started to craft a new video each week on the topic: “how to craft miniatures DIY-style and easy for you to do!”
The first one that I made was the one below, describing how I crafted a miniature chair. Anyone can do this! And I hope you enjoy these from now on!
My newest tutorial is: how to craft a miniature desk and chair, using matchboxes and cardboard!
And a new video is made!
In this video, we have crafted a miniature organizer, that could belong to your miniature kitchen, for example. I would consider this scale 1:12.
Please just follow the instructions in the video.
What you need is:
– 3 matchboxes
– scissors
– strong paper with a color of your own choice
– crafting glue/ a glue gun
– some kind of a round stick to create the table legs That’s it!
AAAAnd another new matchstick art video is ready.
Today we have created a miniature swing DIY, you can consider this 1:12 scale.
I must admit: this time I kind of struggled assembling everything together and I’m happy that you don’t hear my voice in this video, swearing and shouting sometimes haha on how to get everything in the right shape that I wanted it lol!
But, I managed in the end and that’s what counts, right? What you need to make this is:
matchsticks
wooden skewers
fast sticking glue or any strong glue
paper pieces
scissors
a cutter
a crafting knife
a ruler
a paintbrush
paint in the same color as the tips of the matches
thread, preferably also in the same color, that is all!
Create a woven miniature chair DIY with matchsticks!
In my next video, you can see how I have created another miniature chair DIY, with some patience 😉
From a cork to a beer barrel!
Just use small screws to make little drinking cups!
Create a DIY miniature house with coffee sticks/popsicle sticks.
In my next video, I show you how to create a miniature house with popsicle sticks!
How to make an ‘old’ garden ornament/fountain.
A beautiful, ‘metal-looking’ washing bin!
Just wrap some rope around the cap, paint it grey/silver, and there you go!
How to create a miniature swing from popsicle sticks, swing number 1
So, I have created 2 miniature swings. This is the first one, created with popsicle sticks.
All you need is:
– popsicle sticks
– crafting glue/a glue gun
– acrylic paint, in any color you like, I took green and red
– a fine string
– a paintbrush
– a cutter
That’s it! Just follow the instructions in the video and you are ready to go!
How To Make A Miniature Swing with papercraft?Swing number 2
Today once more we have crafted a piece of miniature furniture, this time it is a little bit longer to make, but worthwhile for sure: a miniature paper swing!
The things you need are:
– cardboard
– scissors
– (origami) paper
– crafting glue
– a glue gun
– a pen
That’s it! Just follow the instructions of the video and you will get there!
From a plastic package of cookies, you can make a wall radiator heater.
Are you seeing what I am seeing? From medicine drops too?
To plastic bottles!
Another miniature thing that you can make for FREE is boxes in all shapes and sizes!
How To Craft A Miniature Lounge Chair And Umbrella With Popsicle Sticks
Here, I have created a miniature lounge chair (for your dollhouse garden or fairy garden) on a scale of 1:12, with the help of popsicle sticks.
So again: quite affordable and not hard to do!
You can paint and varnish them, of course, in any color that you like. So what do you need? :
That’s it! Please just follow the instructions of the video and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask them below in the discussion area 🙂
Cut out the bottom of a plastic bottle and there you go: a picture frame.
How to make a goblin door!
Make a coffeepot.
Make Paintbrushes in different sizes.
Making miniatures plates from milk pull tabs/cream etc.
( I hope I’m using the right name here ).
This might need some more information.
First, the ring is cut off with a razor. Then pictures of plates are cut out from magazines. Glue it to the tab with just a little bit of Tacky glue.
When they are dry, just coat them with clear fingernail polish and let them dry completely. A total of three coats would be the best. The polish gives them some weight.
How To Create Miniature Christmas trees with papercraft?
For these, I have another 2 videos for you on my Youtube channel.
I have created a new Youtube tutorial on creating a mini-fridge, all you need is paper, craft glue, and scissors. Just follow the instructions in the video below!
Make alittle coffee table.
Sink made with a dipping sauce pot
From an empty piece of plastic to contain medication, too little food-bowls
From a bottle cap to a kitchen pot.
Miniature whine glass made of an expired medicine capsule and some beads.
Make Miniature Charcoal Bags.
Some of the ads you get in the mail, have a perfect size to create miniatures with!
Make your own windows
Now here’s an idea to make your own windows. Cut out these parts from an old basket that you don’t need anymore. Make sure to put a primer on these first before you paint them!
Make a broom from a toothbrush.
Let the picture speak for itself?
Make a miniature paper lamp.
In my newest Youtube video (made by myself), I am showing you how to make a miniature lamp, completely made from paper. You just need a glue gun as well.
While you’re at it and have a Youtube account, please “like” the video and subscribe to my channel, thank you!
Make A Belly Stove.
And the last one from today in this from trash to treasures ideas is this belly stove.
Make a belly stove out of bits and pieces laying around. A bottle cap, paper tube. The base box is made from scrap wood, q-stip sticks, wire, beads, a button, and a bendy straw.
This is the result:
Make pans, skillets, cooking utensils, and more from medicin
Make all of these from these plastic bubbles that contain medicines. Use nail polish to color them. You could also use black nail polish for the handles, which will make it look more authentic.
There is a little hole in the handle, so you can hang it on a wall, for example.
Final Conclusion.
This is part 1 of how to make a fine miniature object from trash and/or everyday items.
Do you have any questions about this article ‘ From trash to treasures ideas ‘, just ask in the comment section below or join me on my newest Facebook group or Youtube channel!
I wish you happy crafting!
Best regards,
Lizzy
PS. As this page was getting a little bit cluttered, there is now a Part 2 of making treasures from trash!
8 thoughts on “From Trash To Treasures Ideas – Make Miniatures From Scratch”
Think I will share this page with my wife. She love these kind of ideas and is always searching for stuff like this. Things that I would normally throw away is a treasure for her and when she is through with it, it’s almost impossibe to say what it was originally meant to be. Thank you for sharing these ideas.
What an amazing way to recycle household items. I’m not a person who is considered to be arty but I love your fantastic creations. My mum has a few dolls houses, I’m going to share your great article with her. I know she will have me keeping all sorts of things now, but it will be worth it to see the finished articles. Thank you for this information.
Hi LIzzy
I’m giving Two Thumbs WAY UP for your pot-bellied stove tutorial.
The transformation you’ve contrived from various household bits and bobs has most definitely produced A Treasure!
Think I will share this page with my wife. She love these kind of ideas and is always searching for stuff like this. Things that I would normally throw away is a treasure for her and when she is through with it, it’s almost impossibe to say what it was originally meant to be. Thank you for sharing these ideas.
What an amazing way to recycle household items. I’m not a person who is considered to be arty but I love your fantastic creations. My mum has a few dolls houses, I’m going to share your great article with her. I know she will have me keeping all sorts of things now, but it will be worth it to see the finished articles. Thank you for this information.
Please tell me the name of your You Tube channel.. Thank you.
Hi Deby!
My Youtube channel is : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCIGFRg5lkkWvRvGrtTQbg
Please subscribe and like my videos, thanks 😉
kind regards,
Lizzy
Hi LIzzy
I’m giving Two Thumbs WAY UP for your pot-bellied stove tutorial.
The transformation you’ve contrived from various household bits and bobs has most definitely produced A Treasure!
well thank you Lizzie 😉
All of your stuff is amazing! You are sooo creative! I love recycling things into miniature treasures! Love your ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Audrey, have a nice time crafting 😉
Lizzy