From Canvas to Keepsake: Creative Ways to use Your Leftover Art

Turn your old or unfinished artwork into something beautiful, useful and totally YOU.

Not every piece makes it to the wall, and that’s okay. Some paintings stay half-finished, some sketches feel “meh,” and some color swatches never become full artworks.

But what if those forgotten pieces could become something new?

This blog is your creative guide to reusing leftover or unfinished art a fun, sustainable way to honor your process, reduce waste, and even create handmade gifts. ✂️🎁

✂️ 1. Turn Them Into Bookmarks

Cut strips from your art sheets or canvas pieces and laminate or punch holes in the top for ribbon. They make beautiful, handmade bookmarks perfect for journaling, gifting, or selling at local art fairs.

Tip: Choose parts of your artwork with bold patterns or textures for the best visual pop.

Use with: Watercolor scraps, acrylic swatches, ink drawings

🎁 2. Make Gift Tags or Mini Greeting Cards

Fold small pieces into gift cards or cut them into squares for tags. Add handwritten messages or layer with kraft paper for a rustic touch.

Try this combo:

•A floral watercolor scrap + twine = perfect spring-themed tag

•Bright acrylic art + gold pen = modern holiday card

Great for: Birthdays, art sales, thank-you notes to buyers

📦 3. Use as Decorative Packaging

Wrap small art prints or supplies with your old artwork as envelope liners, box inserts, or layered packaging paper. Adds a thoughtful, artsy vibe to every order or gift.

Idea for brands: Add a note “This packaging was made using repurposed art to reduce waste and share joy.”

Product Plug Tip: Recommend sketch pads with thick pages that can double as wrapping paper when full

✨ 4. Create Collage Elements or Mixed Media Art

Cut up textured or painted scraps and save them in a folder for collage. They work great in journals, mood boards, zines, or as mixed media backgrounds.

Tip: Layer with newspaper clippings, washi tape, or stamped letters.

Bonus project: Try a “memory board” collage using your own scraps + photos.

💌 5. Write Letters or Notes on the Back

Use the plain backs of practice paintings to write personal letters, affirmations, or journal entries. There’s something poetic about writing on art that didn’t make it but still holds meaning.

Creative idea: Start an “art letter” series each one unique, imperfect, and full of story.

🧡 Final Thought

Not every piece of art needs to be perfect or finished to have value.

Your practice pieces hold your growth, your moods, your experiments and turning them into keepsakes is a beautiful way to honor your journey.

So before you throw that “unfinished” piece in a drawer, ask yourself

What could this become?

Tag us @grandinkofficial if you try one of these ideas we’d love to share your transformations! ♻️🎨