Confessions of a Craftaholic (Who Swapped Glitter for Beeswax)

   Ellie Marsh - Crafted From Embers - 8th May 2025 

Why sustainable crafting is cooler than it sounds—and won’t make you cry over a glue gun... again...

Let’s get one thing out of the way: I used to be That Crafter.

You know the one. Hot glue stuck to everything I owned. Glitter in places glitter should never be. My idea of “eco” was buying recycled plastic sequins while sipping from a compostable cup (still full of iced coffee, because #priorities).

But then something shifted. It might’ve been the moment I realised my bin was fuller than my heart—or maybe when I tried to repurpose plastic spoons into a ‘rustic’ wall art piece and ended up questioning all my life choices.

Either way, I started craving something different.

Something… calmer. Cleaner. Less sparkle glue meltdown and more Sunday-morning peace with the smell of beeswax in the air.

Welcome to the world of sustainable crafting—where the tools are simpler, the materials are kinder, and the results feel less like landfill fodder and more like legacy.

The Day I Ditched the Glitter

It wasn’t an overnight change. Old habits die hard, especially ones that involve pom-poms and Pinterest boards.

But as I slowly swapped out synthetic for natural, something kind of magical happened.

I stopped chasing perfection—and started chasing connection.

With the Earth. With my materials. With the actual process of making something that didn’t feel like it would self-destruct in six months.

Spoiler: the beeswax didn’t give me anxiety. The natural wood didn’t fight me. And carving a spoon from reclaimed timber? That was better therapy than any scented candle I’ve ever burned.

Why Nature Makes the Best Craft Store (and Doesn’t Charge Shipping)

Let’s be honest—nature is the original Etsy shop.

It’s full of textures, inspiration, and materials you didn’t even know you needed until you saw that perfect crooked stick and whispered: you… you shall be a butter knife.

Working with what the Earth gives us—fallen branches, scrap wood, natural dyes from onion skins or avocado pits—turns crafting into a collaboration.

You’re not just making things. You’re making peace with the land, even in tiny ways.

Bonus: no glitter explosions. No acrylic paint spills. No googly eyes staring into your soul at 3am.

Sustainable Crafting: Not Just for People Who Own Goats

Look, you don’t have to live in a yurt or churn your own butter to get into eco-friendly making. You just need a little curiosity, a pinch of patience, and maybe an irrational love for wooden spoons.

Here are some beginner-friendly ways to get your toes wet (bonus points if it’s in a mountain stream):

Start with scraps. That pile of offcuts you thought you’d never use? Turns out they make adorable coasters.

Try beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap art projects. Bonus: you can wrap sandwiches and give them as gifts. Sandwiches optional.

Learn a simple hand tool. Carving, whittling, or using a manual drill is not only satisfying—it’s a surprisingly effective upper body workout.

Upcycle, don’t overbuy. That old wooden chair in the attic? She’s just waiting for a new lease on life. Give her the glow-up she deserves.

Sustainable crafting isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. If your spoon ends up looking like a potato? Own it. Potatoes are useful.

How Nature Sneaks into the Soul (While You’re Busy Sanding)

Here’s the secret no one tells you about eco-crafting: it changes how you see the world.

You start noticing textures on tree bark. You start caring where your cotton came from. You pause before buying cheap mass-produced stuff—not because someone told you to, but because you’ve felt the pride of making something real.

Suddenly, a walk in the woods isn’t just a walk. It’s a material sourcing mission. A meditation. A muse.

Crafting becomes more than a hobby. It becomes a quiet rebellion against waste, rush, and the need to have more instead of better.

Final Thoughts from One Recovering Glitter Addict to Another

If you’re wondering whether this whole sustainable crafting thing is “worth it,” let me say this:

Your hot glue gun will miss you. Your recycling bin will thank you. Your soul? It’ll feel a little lighter every time you make something that’s not just pretty—but purposeful.

And if you ever miss the sparkle?

There’s always mica powder.

Want More Eco-Friendly Woodworking Tips?

Explore our full collection of tutorials, materials guides, and sustainable project ideas at craftedfromembers.co.uk—because making with heart starts with making responsibly.

Author: Ellie Marsh - Crafter and Columnist for Crafted From Embers

Bio: Ellie Marsh is a nature-loving maker, recovering glitter addict, and passionate advocate for sustainable crafting. When she’s not carving spoons or dyeing fabric with avocado skins, you’ll find her barefoot in the garden with a cup of herbal tea and a half-finished project.