A Second Life

I found the following ideas on the website Designs by Sick.com and thought they were a good addition to our re-use and craft pages.

A Second Life

by Gerry Murphy Mack

As crafters, we are always in need of new storage containers for patterns, fabrics, threads, etc. I have discovered a second life for many throwaway containers that we come in contact with every day.

Did you wash your floor this week using the disposable wet pads? Wet pads come in small and large size blue plastic bins with a see-through top. The bins are just the perfect size for storing new patterns or patterns with the selected fabrics, along with the necessary threads.

Disposable Wet Mop Pads w/Patterns

When finishing the last pieces of nut mixtures, trail mix or candy from plastic jars, short or tall, chubby or thin, look at the container and see how useful it will be for storing buttons, loose ribbon, ribbon rolls, or lace. Glue a piece of ribbon around the lid edge and tie it in a bow. Again use the glue gun to secure its tie. Isn’t that pretty? Four or five jars will look pretty on a shelf or bookcase in the craft room. I have seen very similar jars selling for $5.00 for the small size and $10.00 for the large size in the same discount store.

Snack Jars

Round medicine bottles have many uses. They are good storage for sequins and beads. Keep a small medicine bottle next to your machine and use it for broken and used needles. Throw it away when it is full. This is a much better idea than throwing one broken needle at a time in the wastebasket. I also find medicine bottles useful for a spool of thread and matching bobbin. Medicine bottles come in several sizes so you will find the right size for matching spool and bobbin.

Thread Containers

Do you enjoy the truffles wrapped in gold foil? I do. I find the empty plastic container useful for storing 8 regular spools of thread or 18 thin spools of thread. You can see at a glance the colors in the container without having to open it. The top has a secure overlapping lid.
Some cleaning products are sold in carrying container-type totes. Put the container on your cutting table to hold scissors, rotary cutters and a can of spray starch.

Cleaning Product Totes Redone

A plastic half-gallon ice cream container can be decorated for use as a sewing basket. Cut fabric for the width and depth of the container and a circle cut of matching fabric for the top. Glue the fabric to the container and top with a glue gun. Wrap ribbon around the handles for a finished look.

The craft stores have sturdy cardboard containers that will be thrown out. They have served one purpose for the shipping and displaying of plastic craft boxes. The cardboard containers will hold as many as sixty magazines, standing up. The store staff will be more than happy to give them to you.

Cardboard Containers Hold Magazines

Save the bias material from your pretty fabrics. The stripes make pretty ribbon ties around gifts to friends. The material is sturdy and the recipient can use the bias a second time when she gives a gift.

Always look as an empty container and ask yourself how you could use it. It may be useful and enjoy a second life.

Let’s throw in the old adage, “Waste not, want not.” A second use for throwaway containers adds enjoyment and beauty to your design studio. 

A Home for Quilt Squares

by Ronny Sanders

We used to buy ice cream in round tubs, but they have started making it in rectangular plastic tubs. These tubs are great for quilts squares or anything else for that matter that you want to keep together. The lid snaps on tight and everything stays together I love them they are stackable and easily stored.