What’s tiny, crafty, and possibly prize-worthy?
Hi friends,
I’ve got a bunch to share with you this week! First up, we’ve drawn a winner for our July creative challenge (can’t wait to tell you who!). I’ll also give a quick refresher on our new August theme in case you missed it, plus some fresh ideas to help get those creative gears turning.
We’ve also just launched a brand-new section of the community called Teach Us!, where members can share skills with one another—starting with an amazing gold leafing video from Molly Painter. And last but not least: we’ve officially moved to craftremnants.com! Update those bookmarks and come say hey.
Let’s get into it →
🏆Our Monthly Challenge Winner: July
We’ve drawn a winner at random from everyone who shared a project for our July Kaleidoscope challenge… and congrats to Robin Biles! Thanks for submitting this gorgeous colorful set of abandoned quilt blocks. You’ll be getting a $25 gift code to shop the Peo Vee collection on Remnants.
Want a shot at the next one? Just post a project that fits our August theme here and you’ll be entered into the drawing. It’s that easy. Share what you make, we love seeing it!
🧵 August Project Theme: The Little Things
The votes are in, and by a landslide, our next community challenge is The Little Things. This month, we’re celebrating tiny treasures, overlooked scraps, and the bits and bobs you’ve been saving just in case. Think buttons, charms, fabric offcuts, tags, twist ties, mystery hardware... anything too special to toss.
Now’s your chance to finally use them. Stitch them into something magical, collage your chaos, or build something beautiful from the bottom of your drawer.
✨ Share your project anytime this month to be entered into August’s giveaway! Just post it in our Project Show & Tell space to join in.
Not sure where to start?
We've got you. Here are three totally different ways you can take on The Little Things challenge—whether you're in the mood to make something wearable, frameable, or just plain fun. Let these spark your imagination, then make it your own.
Lost Earrings, Found Art
This dazzling duo—“Starlight” and “Starbright”—comes from Ohio-based artist A. Brockmeyer (sold via SuperCrazyChick2 on Etsy) and is a shining example of how to turn jewelry scraps into art. Think of it as permission to finally use that stash of broken brooches, orphaned earrings, and stray beads. Just grab a piece of black velvet, a handful of headpins, and your imagination. Need a frame to match the glam? Scroll down to see how we’ll show you how to gold leaf it, too.
Creature Magnets from Misfit Parts 🧲
This one’s definitely on my to-make list: quirky little creature magnets made entirely from left-behind odds and ends. Think mismatched buttons, stray screws, broken jewelry bits, anything with personality. Add googly eyes (obviously), and suddenly that junk drawer clutter is fridge-worthy art. Equal parts adorable and absurd, and 100% “The Little Things” fun.
Found Object Mandalas & the Rabbit Hole I’m Still In
You know that moment when you stumble across an artist whose work just stops you cold? That was me, scrolling one evening, when I came across the incredible found object mandalas by fiber artist Susan Lenz. Each piece is a hypnotic arrangement of discarded materials: buttons, keys, bottle caps, thread spools. Objects transformed into something sacred, symmetrical, and deeply human.
Naturally, I fell headfirst into the rabbit hole. I started noticing objects in my own stash with new eyes: could this old bobbin or bent fork become part of a mandala? There’s something meditative and grounding about this kind of work, where placement, color, and meaning come together piece by piece.
🎥 Teach Us: Our New Video Series
We’re thrilled to introduce Teach Us, our brand new video series where Peo Vee community members step in front of the camera to share their unique creative reuse skills
✨ Our first installment is live!
In this video, Molly Painter teaches us how to add a touch of glam with gold leafing—a surprisingly addicting upcycling technique. It’s the perfect excuse to give your next project a little shimmer.
📺 Watch it now here, and stay tuned—up next, Nancy Eisman shows us how to make stunning florals from scrap fabric.
Got something you want to teach us? Whether it’s transforming junk mail into art, patching with flair, or organizing your stash like a pro—we’d love to feature you. 👉 Reach out to Molly or Lauren to pitch your idea!
🛍 Six Things on Remnants We’re Loving Right Now
From festive fabrics to fun finds, we’ve pulled together a few of our current faves on Remnants, just in time for your next creative session.
✨ And in case you missed it: we’ve moved! You can now find us at craftremnants.com. Update those bookmarks and come poke around.
Peo Vee Events
🌟 This Sunday: Supply Swap + Craft Café
Calling all LA locals! Our next Supply Swap & Craft Café is happening this Sunday at Circular Library. Bring your extra materials to swap, a project to work on, and come enjoy a cozy afternoon of crafting and community. We’ll be there from 2:30–5:30pm—hope to see you!
✨ RSVP →
Caught our 👀
🌈 A great way to turn a basic curtain into something fabulous.
🖌️ A reminder that with patience and creativity you can make your own textiles.
🧴 Some ways to upcycle plastic bottles that are actually cool.
🪡 Kitchen decor made from the kitchen.
📝 New in the Blog
Rubber Beads and Creative Reuse: Nostalgia, Texture, and Sustainable Play
There’s something about rubber beads that gets me every time. Maybe it’s the texture... soft, slightly squishy, a little matte. Or maybe it’s the colors... bright, almost cartoonish, unapologetically playful.
That’s it for now, friends. Don’t forget to post your August project to enter this month’s drawing, and as always, reach out if you’ve got something to share, teach, or ask. We love hearing from you.
'Til next time,
💛 Molly + the Peo Vee crew
We're mission-driven to gather a community of upcyclers dedicated to reducing waste, sharing resources, sparking ideas, and bringing reuse to the forefront of our daily lives. But we can’t do it alone.
