から作る・
Use から作る to explain making something from a starting substance, especially when it is processed into a new form. Use でできている to identify the material or ingredients that make up a finished thing.
Two different viewpoints
から作る looks at the process from its starting point: a substance is turned into a product. でできている looks at the result and tells you what the finished object consists of.
Process and composition
Why the longer form is common
できている often describes the resulting state of a completed object: it is made up of certain materials. It does not normally mean that the object is being made right now.
Asking about ingredients
このクッキーは何でできていますか。
What are these cookies made from?
Analyze米粉とアーモンドでできています。
They are made from rice flour and almonds.
AnalyzeIn the answer, the product can be omitted because it is already clear from the question.
Starting substance or direct material?
A useful beginner tendency is to use から when the starting substance is processed into a noticeably different product, and material で with an active making verb when a material is used directly and remains recognizable. The latter belongs to the broader material-marker pattern.
木で棚を作りました。
I made a shelf out of wood.
AnalyzeHere the wood is a direct, recognizable material, so the active making sentence uses the material marker rather than the source marker.
More examples
ぶどうからワインを作ります。
Wine is made from grapes.
Analyzeしょうゆは大豆から作られます。
Soy sauce is made from soybeans.
Analyzeこの机は竹でできています。
This desk is made of bamboo.
Analyzeこの指輪は銀でできています。
This ring is made of silver.
Analyze工場では古いタイヤから床材を作っています。
At the factory, they make flooring material from old tires.
Analyzeこの橋は鉄とコンクリートでできています。
This bridge is made of steel and concrete.
Analyze