EARTH DAY | Eco-friendly crafts

HAPPY EARTH DAY!
Family Ties offers fun ways to celebrate Earth Day with a special package of crafts, treats and facts.

Earth Day crafting is no time for going heavy on the non-recyclable doodads, such as pipe cleaners and pom-poms. Consider these crafts that make the most of objects you probably already have:

WINE CORK COASTERS
Fast to make and long-lasting, these coasters really will protect your tabletops.

Supplies:
Wine corks of about the same size, about 10 or 11 per finished item
Heavy felt
Glue (such as Elmer’s or Aleene’s Tacky Glue)

Directions:
1. Cut a square of felt about 4.5-by-4.5 inches.
2. Lay wine corks on their side on the square in any pattern of straight lines that you’d like, trying to cover the felt.

3. Test your coaster by placing an empty glass on top of it: Is it steady? If not, substitute corks to make it level.
4. Glue corks to the felt. The glue might seep to the back of the felt, so dry this item upside down.
5. When dry, flip over and use, cork side up.

MINT TIN TREASURE BOXES
Here’s a use for empty mint tins. Instead of paper, ask a local wallpaper store if they have any discarded samples. You receive free “paper” while rescuing the sample books from the landfill.

Supplies:
Mint tins, such as Altoids, empty and wiped clean
Patterned paper scraps
Glue (such as Elmer’s or Aleene’s Tacky Glue)
Found objects, such as buttons, beads, faux flowers, or anything that’s small and colorful

Directions:
1. Trace the tin’s lid onto the backside of a piece paper. Do this twice; the paper does not have to match.
2. Trace the tin’s base onto the backside of another scrap of paper.
3. Glue the three pieces of paper onto their respective places: Outer and inner lid, and inside base. You may need to trim the paper to make it fit.
4. Decorate the outside lid as desired, with buttons, beads, jewels, and other found objects.
5. Decorate the inside lid and base, taking care not to use anything that will hinder closing the tin.

CRAZY HAIR PEOPLE
This craft can be fully compostable if you use biodegradable paper cups.

Supplies:
Paper cups, preferably compostable
Markers or crayons
Potting soil
Grass seed, such as wheatgrass, or any lawn variety, such as tall fescue
Spoon, measuring spoon, small scoop or trowel
Water
A small plate or saucer
Optional: plastic wrap and rubber band

Directions:
1. Draw a face on the side of the cup with markers or crayons.
2. Punch a small hole in the bottom of the cup (for drainage).
3. Fill cup two-thirds full with soil.
4. Add about 1 tablespoon grass seed.
5. Mix grass seed into soil with finger or spoon. Moisten soil with water. Put in sink for drainage or on saucer.
6. To encourage growth, cover cup with plastic wrap and secure with rubber band.
7. Place cup in sunny window. Water as needed.
8. Remove plastic wrap, if using, when sprouting seedlings grow near.
9. When your “crazy hair” is long enough, you can cut it and watch it grow again.
10. When ready to discard, compost or throw out; it will biodegrade.

— Jennifer Forker | The Associated Press