Ebook Review: Crafty Cans and Perplexing Plastic

Here comes another fun indie publishing project: Crafty Cans and Perplexing Plastic, by Mahe Zehra Husain, who lives in Lahore, Pakistan. In this ebook, Mahe explores lots of ways to recycle empty aluminum cans and plastic packaging into all kinds of crafts, using the Cuttlebug embosser, Sizzix die cutter, Crop-A-Dile cutters, and alcohol inks.

I think you’ll find lots of good ideas in here – there are jewelry projects, gifts, scrapbooking embellishments, greeting cards, and decor items. It’s best if you have access to at least one of the tools I listen above, as the projects all rely on one or the other – sometimes both. (For alcohol inks, you can use the expensive brands, or good old Sharpies.)

Mahe has very thorough chapters on the cautionary parts of these crafts – namely, preparing, handling, and cutting the metal and plastic. (It’s not that this stuff is terribly dangerous, just potentially sharp. Cut metal, in particular, should always be handled with care.)

The individual project instructions are also thorough, and simple enough for any level crafter to take on. Mahe gives you lots of other inspirational ideas and images at the end of the ebook to get you cooking up your own projects.

I love a good recycled craft, and I think Mahe has done some beautiful stuff with what would otherwise be trash. You can learn more at the ebook’s website, or get a copy at her Etsy shop.