5 Ways to Upcycle Old Jigsaw Puzzles


Old jigsaw puzzles can often be forgotten or tucked away in a drawer, but instead of throwing them out, why not give them a new life? Upcycling old puzzles is not only environmentally friendly, but it also provides an opportunity for creativity. Whether you’re looking to decorate your home, make unique gifts, or enjoy a new DIY project, here are five fun ways to upcycle your old jigsaw puzzles.


1. Turn Puzzle Pieces Into Wall Art

  • Create a Stunning Collage: Use puzzle pieces to make unique wall art for your home. You can either arrange them to form a picture, pattern, or even words. For a modern look, you could glue the pieces to a canvas, frame them, or create a mosaic that reflects your personality.
  • What Makes It Special?: This method allows you to preserve the memory of your puzzle while transforming it into a decorative item. Plus, the pieces themselves can create interesting textures and depth on your wall.
  • Did You Know?: Painting or decorating puzzle pieces before mounting them can add a personal touch, such as using gold leaf or vibrant colors for a chic, custom look.

2. Make Puzzle Piece Jewelry

  • DIY Accessories: Old puzzle pieces can be turned into beautiful, quirky jewelry pieces. With a little creativity and some basic jewelry-making tools, you can make necklaces, earrings, bracelets, or keychains. Paint, decoupage, or add embellishments like beads, rhinestones, or glitter to customize your pieces.
  • What Makes It Special?: This is a fun way to carry a little piece of nostalgia with you wherever you go. Customized puzzle jewelry makes for great gifts for puzzle enthusiasts or as unique conversation starters.
  • Did You Know?: Puzzle pieces can be used in combination with other materials, like polymer clay or resin, to create more intricate and durable designs.

3. Craft Personalized Coasters

  • Protect Your Surfaces in Style: Puzzle pieces can easily be transformed into one-of-a-kind coasters. Simply glue the pieces together in a pattern or shape that fits your design aesthetic, then add a layer of protective varnish or sealant to prevent damage from moisture.
  • What Makes It Special?: Upcycled puzzle piece coasters are perfect for adding a personalized touch to your home decor. They also make great gifts, especially for friends or family who love puzzles.
  • Did You Know?: You can also make trivet sets by attaching larger puzzle pieces together to create a functional and decorative piece for your kitchen.

4. Create Puzzle Piece Magnets

  • Bring Fun to Your Fridge: Turn small puzzle pieces into decorative magnets for your fridge or magnetic board. Simply glue a small magnet to the back of each puzzle piece, and then decorate them with paint, fabric, or other materials.
  • What Makes It Special?: These magnets are a great way to display artwork, photos, or reminders, and they offer a fun way to brighten up your kitchen or office space.
  • Did You Know?: You can mix and match puzzle pieces to create themed sets, such as letter-shaped magnets for spelling out words or quotes.

5. Use Puzzle Pieces in Scrapbooking or Card Making

  • Add a Personal Touch to Your Projects: Puzzle pieces can be used as embellishments in scrapbooking or card-making. Whether you’re creating a greeting card, birthday card, or scrapbooking a family photo album, puzzle pieces can add texture and meaning to your pages.
  • What Makes It Special?: Puzzle pieces can be painted, stamped, or written on, making them versatile for all types of creative projects. They also work well as a motif for documenting special occasions, such as anniversaries or family reunions.
  • Did You Know?: You can make your puzzle pieces stand out by gluing them onto a contrasting background or layering them with other decorative elements like ribbons or fabric.

Conclusion: Embrace the Possibilities of Upcycling Your Jigsaw Puzzles

Upcycling old jigsaw puzzles is a fantastic way to breathe new life into your collection while being creative and eco-friendly. Whether you choose to craft beautiful wall art, functional coasters, or personalized jewelry, the possibilities are endless. By reimagining your old puzzles, you can not only reduce waste but also create unique and sentimental items for your home or as gifts for others.



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