A Green Idea Chain Game 2010

[bookstorebabe]

The vases? Use them together as a centerpiece. Fill them with the same flowers, or different. Or, can you use those small floating candles in any of them? Add white candles of various sizes to the arrangement-the water and clear glass should reflect nicely with the candles. You may not need to use flowers, or not many, if you do that.
Or, if you need to give someone a little present, buy some inexpensive flowers, put them in the vase, maybe tie a ribbon around it, and give them away like that. Put one in a window, with water and a plant-you can grow philodendron and ivy in water, probably other stuff, too.I used to have a vase with ivy on my dresser, and it grew up and around my mirror-I bobby pinned it around the frame. Years ago....

What do I do with various sizes of clear light bulbs that I don't need for anything I own?
The size of a standard incandescent for the largest, and couple half that size, and a few night light sized.

[BrittaniaPaints]

What do I do with various sizes of clear light bulbs that I don't need for anything I own?
The size of a standard incandescent for the largest, and couple half that size, and a few night light sized.


I haven't dont this myself, yet, but I've seen ornaments made out of recycled light bulbs.  If you look at the bulb with the bulbous (no pun intended) side down it kind of looks like a santa or elf face.  You can get an old red sock or piece of fabric to make a hat to cover the small end of the bulb, paint a face on the rounded part  and attach white pompoms, cotton balls or a curly chenille stem for the beard.  Add a ribbon for hanging and voila! you have a cute ornament.  You could make anything, though if you change the colors up and how you paint it.

[seleniebeanie]

When my kids use up a coil-bound notebook, I take the wire coils & make a cut from end to end and have like 50 jump rings, but at work I get monthly product catalogues that have a plastic coil....what would be some ideas for them? So far we cut them to make antennae for a bug costume....

[DawnsTrees]

If the plastic coils are large enough, you could make pen holders, art brush or makeup brush holders. For example if you rolled clay into a 4 inch log and then stuck a number of the coils into it (take it out before baking, glue back into hole afterward), you could then put pens/thin brushes into the coils.

They also make good 'pop-up' toys (if they are the larger coils). Cut them into 2 inch sections (or whatever length you like) Glue a small hat and googly eyes on one end and maybe feet on the other end. You can then flatten them on the ground, when you let go they 'sproing' up.

You could possibly also melt them into an interesting shape or into a bowl shape. There have been a few melted plastic toy bowls (for example: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=303624.0) - I think that a bowl of coils would look awesome!


What can I do with a very large spool of very thin gold colored wire? I am not sure what the wire was originally used for, but it does not hold its shape when bent at all. I had bought it thinking I could make wire trees and use it for jewelry wrapping etc, but it just does not hold its shape at all. So, perhaps think of it as stiff metal thread sized material...

[sugaree]

i just came across this thread and thought of your gold wire!  you can make pretty star (or any other shaped) ornaments
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=330747.0

or, i bet it would also look very pretty if you cut bits of it and mixed it in with your own homemade paper.

also, you can use small pieces of it as nail art.  after you've painted your nails, lay some strips diagonally, vertically, horizontally, or in a plaid pattern and paint a coat of clear top coat to seal it.


what can i do with all my dryer lint, besides make clay?

[bookstorebabe]

Dryer lint? Well, if you ever give paper making a try, add some of the lint to your shredded paper mix-maybe just a little to start with. After all, people add thread and leaves and everything else to the mix, it seems.
Set it outside, maybe in a mesh onion bag or tucked in a bush, when it's spring-birds love it for nesting material.
My kid's scout troop made fire starters with it. They filled the compartments of a cardboard egg carton with the lint, and poured wax over it, then cut apart the sections.

What can I do with an old computer? Not worth passing on. I've never dissected one before! I like circuit board, but don't own a dremel to cut it up. Any tips on taking it apart, and what to do with the various innards?

[steiconi]

You could gut the computer and use the case for storing all your computer CDs

use the memory cards (long skinny things) to make earrings

What could I do with a bunch of unfinished turned wood pieces?  There are bowls, tops, cups, even an urn.  They are raw wood in fun shapes...

[seleniebeanie]

You can overturn the bowl and glue the vase to it maybe the top will fit on here too. Paint it or stain it all the same colour and make a lamp. Or put some trays/ plates between the overturned bowl and the vase maybe add another smaller plate with the top -flat side down; you now have a cute serving tray. Or have the bowl, serving tray, vase and have a centrepiece with flower holder.

The experts from these blogs use E6000 glue:
http://junkmailgemsblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/recycled-cake-stands.html

http://s3.amazonaws.com/wedding_prod/photos/915d9863fdd9b8bc5d8bfb82d088ac95_s

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_schtd5RphwI/TMNFct24jHI/AAAAAAAACbU/XsTHxis30jc/s320/860093_whi_b.jpg
Have Fun...and post pics of what you did!

What could I make with this paper raffia stuff?
there's white, brown, blue red, yellow. So far, I've made a wreath with them.

[sprat605]

ANSWER:
How about making some bows or flowers out of them?  Your could attach to bobbie pins, hair clips or barrettes, headbands.. ect..  Hair clips and headband are IN!  Make for children, grandchildren,,,, neighbors, or for baby gifts? Headbands are soooo cute on babies!

QUESTION:
What can I do with the letter keys taken off an old key board?  Be aware if you suggest making something with words.... there is only one letter each!   

[sprat605]

ANSWER:
How about making some bows or flowers out of them?  Your could attach to bobbie pins, hair clips or barrettes, headbands.. ect..  Hair clips and headband are IN!  Make for children, grandchildren,,,, neighbors, or for baby gifts? Headbands are soooo cute on babies!

QUESTION:
What can I do with the letter keys taken off an old key board?  Be aware if you suggest making something with words.... there is only one  letter each!