There's something special about upcycling everyday objects into beautiful or useful things, and egg cartons are no different. Sure, they're dingy and gray when you start, but with a coat of paint and a little creativity, they can become something totally different (and something that's actually nice to look at).
The bucket shape of the egg cups lends itself well to all sorts of unusual crafts, so we picked out 11 of our favorites to share. Most of them are so beautiful by the end, no one will be able to tell what you started with!
Image via huppiemama.com
Toy Camera
This Toy Camera From an Egg Carton Box from Let's Do Something Crafty is a pretty involved project … but check out that amazing final product! Worth it, right?
Name Cards
If you have a lot of time (or a lot of hands with nothing to do), these Paper Rose Name Cards from Intimate Weddings are a fun project with a beautiful outcome.
Mini Helicopters
It takes a certain kind of eye to look at an egg carton and see a helicopter … and Kate from The Craft Train has it. These Egg Carton Mini 'Copters do everything but fly.
More from The Stir: 10 Cool Ways to Upcycle Legos
Flower Wreath
We love Huppie Mama's Egg Carton Easter Wreath, and we love that it doesn't even have to be for Easter — it fits for spring and summer as is. But with orange and gold tones, it'd be perfect for fall.
Flower Mobile
How lovely is this Egg Carton Flower Mobile from Buzzmills? The watercolor paints add the perfect, soft touch, and imperfections only make it better.
Homemade Firestarters
It might be a little out of the ordinary, but The Art of Doing Stuff found a way to turn egg cartons into Homemade Firestarters — and we love it. No more store-bought for us!
More from The Stir: 8 Ways to Upcycle K-Cups into Cool Kid Crafts (PHOTOS)
Button Candy
Lori Marie from Pretty Little Things figured out that egg cartons are actually the perfect material to turn into Handpainted Button Candy, which is great for us — these little guys are a perfect addition to so many crafts.
Baby Blue Whale
Who knew something so ugly could turn into something so cute? The best part is that this Egg Carton Whale Craft from I Heart Crafty Things is so easy, kids can help make them, too.
Seed Planters
Egg cartons are actually the perfect size for A Garden in Egg Cartons — like this one from Petit Elefant. If you start seeds here, they'll be easy to grow in a garden once they're old enough to move.
More from The Stir: 10 Fun Kid Crafts That Also Build Reading Skills
Mini Mask
These Egg Carton Masks from Picklebums are a perfect craft for little hands … and a perfect size for little faces.
Chicken Egg Cups
It takes a little imagination to see an old egg carton as something that's not plain circular, but Maggy from Red Ted Art did and managed to come up with these adorable Egg Carton Chicken Egg Cups.
More from The Stir: 10 Things to Do With a Pringles Can Besides Eat Chips Out of It (PHOTOS)
