How to Recycle Puzzle Pieces

Puzzles can be a good way to pass the time. Children can learn from them and adults can piece together beautiful pictures with them but what do you do with a puzzle that has lost some of its pieces or a puzzle you no longer want? You may think it has no other option but to be destined for the trash. Before tossing it you should stop and reconsider. You can recycle puzzle pieces and turn them into fun, new items with a bit of time and creativity.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Random puzzle pieces
• Adhesive (craft glue, hot glue gun, etc.)
• Craft or acrylic paints
• Papers
• Brooch back
• Ribbon
• Embellishments
• Glitter
• Clear sealant
• Awl
• Chain/cord/slender ribbon
• Jump ring (optional)
• Pliers (optional)
• Craft sticks
• Scissors
• Exacto knife or small scissors (optional)
• Tape
• Sand paper
• Permanent markers
• Gesso
• Earring posts or hooks
• Sturdy cardboard box or unfinished wooden box
• Photo album
• Puzzle glue

1. One way you can recycle puzzle pieces is by using them to make a puzzle piece wreath. To create the wreath take edge pieces and turn the edges inwards facing each other. Use your glue to connect the pieces side by side forming around a rough outline of a wreath as you go. Let the adhesive dry once you have completed your circular shape before moving on. Next take more puzzle pieces and arrange them to make another layer gluing each piece in the top layer to the bottom layer. This will make the wreath more sturdy and allow you to make a more defined shape. Continue to do this until your wreath looks satisfactory to you. Let the glue between the layers dry completely. Now you're ready to decorate it. Use paints, buttons, sequins, papers, glitter, etc. in whatever color scheme you'd like. Once your wreath is done coat it in a clear acrylic sealant to help protect it being sure not to touch it again until it's dry. Form a loop with a piece of ribbon and attach it with your glue to the back of your wreath and proudly display it on a wall or door.

2. Turn your old puzzles into wearable works of art. To make a puzzle piece brooch decorate your puzzle piece with paints or papers, add embellishments if you'd like, let the piece dry, seal it with an acrylic sealant, let it dry again, then flip the puzzle piece over and attach a brooch back to the back of the piece with hot glue or craft glue. After your glue is completely dry it is ready to wear. To make a necklace carefully push a hole into the puzzle piece with an awl or similar object, decorate your puzzle piece as desired, seal it, place a jump ring (if you have one, you will need to open and close the jump ring with a pair or pliers) through the hole you formed and then thread a chain, slender ribbon, or cord through it. If you don't have a jump ring simply thread your material of choice directly through the hole in the puzzle piece. Experiment and make broaches and necklaces out of several puzzle pieces instead of just one. String several overlapping to make a bracelet. Make a pair of earrings by gluing earring posts to the back of puzzle pieces or by putting earring hooks through holes in the puzzle pieces.

3. Recycle puzzle pieces into a colorful photo frame perfect for framing your child's artwork or the family pet. To form your frame take four craft sticks and glue them together into a rectangle or square. While your craft stick frame is drying decorate your puzzle pieces with your desired materials such as acrylic paint, glow in the dark craft paint, or pretty scrapbook paper. Once your puzzle pieces and sticks are all dry arrange the puzzle pieces around the sticks in a way that is pleasing to you and then glue them down. Add any final embellishments to the frame then seal it with your acrylic sealant. Crop your picture if needed and tape your picture to the back of the frame so it shows through the front. Add a ribbon loop to the back and hang.

4. If you have a puzzle in its entirety that you no longer care for you can turn the puzzle into a new puzzle. Put your puzzle together and use sandpaper to lightly sand over the surface. After your puzzle is sanded wipe off any dust that may have settled on it. Apply a layer of gesso to it to prime the whole thing. After your gesso is dry you can add a layer of paint if desired and let it dry. Use permanent markers or paints to create a new design. Take the puzzle apart. Seal each piece with a clear sealant to protect your new puzzle. Keep pieces in a box or re-sealable plastic bag. If you don't want to use the puzzle as a puzzle again once you have altered it glue the pieces together with puzzle glue, let it dry completely, seal the whole thing, and display it as a piece of art.

5. Paint a sturdy cardboard box or unfinished wooden box and after it is dry cover it with plain or decorated puzzle pieces by gluing the puzzle pieces onto the box. This will make a cute storage container for small items.

6. Liven up a plain, inexpensive, photo album with puzzle pieces. Leave the puzzle pieces as they are or alter them as you please with your paints and other materials and then use a hot glue gun or craft glue to affix them to the album cover randomly or make a boarder with them.

7. Use plain or altered puzzle pieces to make interesting trims and embellishments on bags, curtains, journals, scrapbooks, belts, and more.

Tips & Warnings

• Sanding puzzle pieces before applying paint will help the paint to adhere better to the puzzle pieces.
• Add beads to puzzle piece jewelry to give it a more upscale look.
• Make a statement and recycle puzzle pieces into a mobile with other recycled objects.
• If using papers to alter your puzzle pieces use an exacto knife or small scissors to cut as close to the curves of the pieces as possible.
• Use different sized puzzle pieces from various puzzles to make a collage. This is a great way to use up the rest of the pieces when you only have a few left from each puzzle.
• Try to come up with your own unique ideas for how to recycle puzzle pieces.
• Follow all safety precautions posted on the materials you are using.
• Use well ventilated areas while sanding, priming, painting, gluing, and sealing.
• Use caution while poking holes through puzzle pieces.
• Protect all work surfaces with newspaper or wax paper.
• Keep small puzzle pieces away from children.
• Keep all toxic and dangerous materials away from children.

[DreamsInBloom]

on 8/26/2009 I have a vintage puzzle that I got from the thrift store that has several missing pieces. The pieces are so unique in both shape and color that I have been trying to think of things to do with them. This article helps. Thanks.

[leduncan]

on 8/26/2009 Some interesting ideas. Thanks for sharing!