Get back at those books that are mocking you on the shelf. Make gifts for people!
Think of a book as a giant sketch pad, construction paper, origami paper, paper-mache instead of a regal book that you 'might' read... someday.
As a masters student, fervently writing long academic papers, I have found I am:
1. Using the thesaurus a little too much and using words with more than 3 syllables
2. Waiting in line for a museum exhibition to open,
3. Dreaming about questions like "Can we debate Craft like we debate Art" and is Obama going to bring back the 'New Deal' like the 1930's?
4. You are on first-name basis with the local librarian
5. Treating Curators and Arts Administrators like celebrities
So, in order to even out the imbalance of working in an academic manner only, here are some Christmas gift and decoration alternatives.
Holiday Tree Ornaments from Card Stock:
A fun, cheap and easy way to use up those old Holiday cards from years past. Put in on the tree, decorate the sill, or make with the kids!
How to make: http://www.marthastewart.com/272077/recycled-ornaments-how-to?czone=holiday/workshop-christmas/workshop-christmas-stock
Tree Light Origami ornaments:
So beautiful and different on the tree. My brother introduced these to me a few years ago and we still bring them out every year. These Origami boxes, once made, fit over the light on the tree and then glow in a romantic way. Changes the look of the tree. Try in different colors or patterns for a cheery tree, or mono-chromatic for a more sophistocated tree. I used pages from an old damaged book. Glowing Words!!!
How to make: http://www.spoon-tamago.com/2011/11/28/diy-origami-cube-lights/
Book Note-card Gifts:
How to make:
1. Cut a few pages out of the book/Mag. Choose the best ones with similar looks to all of them so it's consistant.
2. Cut down to size you want. Fold in Half
3. On the inside, put a white stick label so you would be able to write the messages
4. Make a few Envelopes out of Recycled Magazine. Instructions for this: http://www.estelledeparis.com/2008/10/07/what-to-do-with-a-pile-of-fancy-magazines/
5. Tie with twine. and watch them smile as you give this gift!
I hope your natural creativity brims. REMEMBER, when using recycled products, you can really go for it. Don't worry, they were inexpensive and you don't need to worry about making mistakes... probably mistakes will lead to something even GREATER!
