Use junk mail to create unique typography recycled art. All you need is a few basic supplies and Mod Podge – and some creativity!

Do you get a lot of junk mail? Use it to make this unique recycled art! My favorite retailer sends me many catalogs and sale mailers.

I must say, I always get excited when a Crate and Barrel catalog arrives. I get a lot of inspiration from looking through them and the quality of the paper is great for decoupaging, especially the CB2 catalog!

I made this AWESOME re-arranged typography wall art with two junk mail postcard sale mailers. This is what you need to make this junk mail wall art plaque. This tutorial will showcase each step I took to complete this art piece.

Junk Mail Crafts

Gather These Supplies

Substrate of your choice: cradle board, canvas board, illustration board, plywood or wood ( I used a 5″ x 5″ x 3/4 piece of plywood that I primed and painted with FolkArt Wicker White paint)

Cardstock

Cutting tools

Ruler

Mod Podge Tool Set

1″ square shape paper punch

2 mailers (for some reason I got 2 in the mail)

Any decoupage medium, I used Mod Podge Paper and Mod Podge Gloss

Step One: Cut 25 pieces (1″ squares) of the red and white section only.

Step Two: *TIP: I taped a piece of cardstock to my cutting mat. This type of mat has measurements printed on it, so it is easy to make accurate lines (see photo). I made two straight lines: one vertical and one horizontal. This made my layout easy to place.

I knew I needed 5 rows of 1″ squares across since I was working with a 5″ x 5″ block. I used Mod Podge Paper to mount the squares in place . . . then let dry for 15 minutes. Then, I cut the mounted pieces at 5″ x 5″.

Step Three: Decoupage the FRONT with the re-arranged 1″ square blocks. *TIP: I used a brayer that had some dried Mod Podge from previous projects, because when I run it over the paper it will give it a aged, rustic look and scuff it up.

If you don’t want that look, use a clean brayer. Next, I decoupaged the back with a random piece of printed cardstock.

Step Four: I decoupaged the sides with 3/4″ white cardstock.

Step Five: Attach hanging hardware to the back. TIP: I find for something small like this a triangle hanger is easiest! All, you do is find the center, mark it with an awl, then insert a screw. . . Then I attached two bumpers to the bottom.

Your recycled art project is ready to hang and just think – you didn’t spend that much for it! Wouldn’t it be fun to try this on a huge scale? Don’t forget to visit the other Man Podger projects!