14 fun credit card crafts -- from high art to kitsch

By Cynthia J. Drake

If the exploding popularity of do-it-yourself craft blogs and sites such as Etsy and Pinterest is any indication, the world is DIY-crazed, furiously crafting objets d'art out of anything we can get our hands on -- and the humble, utilitarian credit card is no exception.

Here is a glimpse of some of the crafts and products people are making with, for and about credit cards. Perhaps it'll inspire you to dig into your wallet and start whipping up your own original creation.

14 Pin-worthy credit crafts

A glimpse at some of the unusual credit card products people are talking about on DIY sites

By Cynthia J. Drake

If the exploding popularity of do-it-yourself craft blogs and sites like Etsy and Pinterest is any indication, the world is DIY-crazed, furiously crafting objets d’art out of anything we can get our hands on – and the humble, utilitarian credit card is no exception.

Here is a glimpse of some of the crafts and products people are making with, for and about credit cards. Perhaps it’ll inspire you to dig into your wallet and start whipping up the next original creation as pinned on Pinterest.

Modern art for kids

Blogger mom Tammy at Housing A Forest repurposed all the old gift cards and credit cards hanging around her house and turned them into creative painting tools for her children using cereal box canvases. The credit cards allow for transparent painted layers and the end result is a vibrant, modern piece that would be a stunning addition to any refrigerator gallery.

Upcycled mosaic mirror

Etsy’s Charity Hofert created this mosaic mirror using various colors and shapes of tiny hand-cut credit card “tiles,” and it’s one of her bestselling items in her online store.

Clever giftwrap

In an attempt to add some sparkle to the usual dull gift card presentation, food blogger and photographer Bree at the Creative Mama created this DIY snow globe to house the card using a jar, a hot glue gun, some glitter and embellishments. Who knew gift cards could be so whimsical?

Kid credit

Here’s an idea for parents who are looking for innovative alternatives to allowance and chore charts. Teacher Mary Peterson, who runs the site TeacherTreasures.com created this classroom “credit card” for her elementary school students to practice their math skills. Students are given “credit” for good behavior, extra credit projects and turning in homework, and they can spend those credits on items at the class store. Saving the credit nets them larger, cooler items.

Instant personalized necklace

File this one under, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Inspired by the name-necklace trend as seen on “Sex and the City,” Yuka of Closette transformed an old American Express Gold Card into a chic statement necklace in just a few minutes.

Charged up invitations

Put the expiration date on boring invitations and charge them up with a credit card design like this one from Event Photo Cards. Instead of a credit card number, insert details like the time and date of the birthday party. A photo adds a personal touch – and don’t forget a parting message to guests on the back under the signature panel.

Frame-worthy artwork

Jacksonville, Fla., artist Martha Lever has been painting with a credit card for several years, most recently creating these lovely impressionistic flower paintings. “It's always a surprise what I get and the more I practice, the more control I have,” says Lever.

Card cozy

Etsy’s Melissa Wenn, also known as The Crafty Tortoise, offers a crocheted credit card holder pattern for diehard DIYers. Keep those cards warm this winter!

Mirror, mirror on the card

With a cue from the conveniently sized and shaped credit card, this credit card mirror from MochiThings fits in a wallet but won’t run up your tab every time you use it.

An unconventional costume

Amanda from the home decorating blog Our Humble A{Bowe}d was a little surprised when her 3-year-old son requested a credit card costume for Halloween this year. But with a little foam core and some paint, she pulled off the adorable disguise, complete with magnetic stripe, for just $2.

High art

Amy Orr’s credit card artwork crosses the boundary from “crafty” to truly artistic in her credit card mosaic globe, World Map, plastic card mosaic, 20.5 inches by 32.5 inches, 2009. Prints are available through her Etsy store.

‘Card’ table

Bloggers Beth and Nick from Sawdust and Embryos created this conversation piece table using several years worth of canceled credit cards. Now it’s a visual reminder of the importance of financial stability. “It was really liberating to cut up all our store cards and start down the path of becoming debt free,” said Beth. “And it made for a really cute table, as well.”

Fridge flower box

Go green (literally) and transform your old credit card into a mini-flower box that you can stick on your refrigerator with this how-to from Lucas at Flying Top Hat.

Punch your picks

Creating durable and colorful guitar picks using your old credit cards is as easy as tracing a pic and cutting it out with scissors. If you want to make a lot of them, consider buying a PickPunch like the one featured here on Recyclart.
[MS1]May be cool to put these two pics side-by-side, so we can see the front and back.

Published: December 22, 2011

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