Make Something Today with Ivy Bowls

We have pulled together some great ideas for crafts that can be done in an afternoon using commonly found items at your Goodwill store. We are calling these collections "Make Something Today". You will see display's at all of our southwestern Michigan store locations  with an idea sheet and the items ready to purchase so you can make something right away!

Right now we are featuring ivy bowls:
               

These little gems are very inexpensive and we have them kindly donated all of the time at Goodwill. 

Ivy bowls, or similar small glass bowls, are commonly used for centerpieces for showers and weddings, but look at all of the great ideas we found for re-purposing them:

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Fall Ivy Bowl Idea #1

How pretty this simply decoupaged ivy bowl is with a soft glowing candle. You will need an ivy bowl, fall leaves and Modge Podge. Follow along with the tutorial at happinessishomemade.net.

                       

Source

Fall Ivy Bowl Idea #2

Keep that Modge Podge handy and switch out the fall leaves for orange tissue paper and black construction paper. You could make several of these pumpkin cuties to keep and give away. oneartmama.blogspot.com has all of the details.

                       

Source

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Desk Terrarium 

                     

        

Fill with rocks and an air plant and trim the lip of the bowl with beads. Find great information about caring for air plants on Better Homes and Gardens website.

These would make a lovely and inexpensive gift too.

                          

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Christmas Ivy Bowl Idea #1

Recycle an ivy bowl and a sweater from Goodwill to make this cozy snowman candy dish.

                         

Christmas Ivy Bowl Idea #2

The simplest craft ever! Fill with unwrapped candy peppermints and place a red peppermint scented candle in the center. Beautiful! 

                   

Round Up of Thrifty Dorm and Apartment Decor and $50 Goodwill Gift Card Contest

Last week we gave the hint that there was a Facebook contest coming. Here it is and it is going on now through October 11th:

Facebook Contest

It is easy to enter. Just post a picture of something you found at Goodwill for your dorm room or apartment on our Facebook page. Share your photo today!

We rounded up thrifty ideas for your dorm room or apartment found on some of our favorite sites.

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 Apartment Therapy - Great website - chock-full of current ideas including upcycling projects. 

We really like this idea of using mirrors as art. It is perfect for a small space.

See more of this home here. 

         

Apartment Therapy

Instructables.com Wow... if you are new to this website make sure you set aside a few HOURS to search the site. Especially if you search "LED Throwies".....

Here is one fabulous idea for your old homework (add a Goodwill piece of jewelry for some bling). Find her tutorial here.

Instructables

TheGraphicsFairy.com  Love this site. Love it. Love. You can find free printable art on this site. You will be inspired to make things, but here is an quick starter project. Simply print out an image and put it in a frame from Goodwill. Here are a three examples of free printable images on her site:

TheGraphicsFairy.com

                  

thegraphicsfairy.com

The Graphics Fairy

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Do you have any go-to sites for your inspiration? Share them with us in the comment section.

And a side note about Back To School... Today it is all about lifetime learning. We have several resources available to help you further your education and continue to learn new things. 

Are you looking to get your GED? We have classes forming through out the year. We serve Southwestern Michigan and you can get information about our GED classes by calling 269.382.0490 ext. 229. Live somewhere else? Visit GED.com to find classes and testing in your area. 

Another very helpful, easy and FUN way to continue learning is GCFLearnFree.org. From Microsoft Office and email to reading, math, and more, GCFLearnFree.org offers 125 tutorials, including more than 1,100 lessons, videos, and interactives, completely FREE! 

More free online learning links can by found on our Goodwill Industries Pinterest page. Come take a look! Pinterest.com/GoodwillSWMI/learn-free/

Wishing You A Fantastic School Year