unconsumption:

Hot among the “DIY” and “craft” items pinned on Pinterest lately are images of this mirror, which many of us might say is pretty attractive. Also making the pin-rounds are photos of this lamp and a pink starburst sort of mirror (pictured below), among other DIY projects. 

What do they have in common, beyond being projects that many of us could possibly make on our own? These items are made from new plastic spoons — new ones. 

The maker of the “chrysanthemum mirror” above says this about her project:

First, I bought six packages of 48 plastic spoons [pictured above], and I cut the handles off of all of them. I bought the absolute cheapest spoons available that cost somewhere around $1.30 per package … .

And about the pink starburst mirror, source Country Living magazine says:

For an 18-inch round mirror, you’ll need a hot-glue gun and about 105 colored plastic spoons ($6.39 for 50; [and includes a link to a retailer]. 

I’d love to read where the makers of such projects actually crafted their objects from used plasticware!

I hope such projects serve as inspiration for people to use used items — to keep them out of landfills — instead of heading, say, to dollar stores to buy new stuff made of plastic.

P.S. to fellow pinners and bloggers: Let’s label such items with something other than “recycled,” as in made from “recycled plastic spoons,” or “project made from recycled stuff,” okay?!    

P.P.S. Unconsumption is on Pinterest. You will not find photos of these particular projects pinned on any of our boards. Just sayin’.

Special note: Plastic cutlery and plates labeled with #6 as the resin ID code are accepted by some, but not all, municipal recycling programs. 

(photos: top and middle, via Addicted2Decorating; bottom, Country Living magazine)