Wondering what to do with the cookie tins that are cluttering your corners?

Here are a few fun ideas:

Cookie Tin Organizer

Organized Cookie Tin

Cookie Tin Banjo

Click here for a Banjo how-to.

Cookie Tin Lamp

Cookie Tin Lamps

Find these lamps and more at Crystal Lake Emporium

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How much FUN is this moustache pillow from Loop Loft ?

No wax required

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A RecycleChicken Facebook fan wishing to avoid the landfill asked today what to do with an old T.V. that doesn’t work.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Fish Tank (you’ve seen this before, I’m sure)
• Retro Ambiance Diffuser
• Combine with an Altoids to turn it into a web configurable dashboard (geeks only)
• Mod lighting fixture
• Take to a local e-waste recycler (may cost you a small fee)

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Got your attention with that one, didn’t we? Well, we’re going to cover several things here. You actually can recycle fish. Here’s what we mean: First, there is the most straight forward form of recycling fish. You have probably heard of the concept of catch and release. There is a website called RecycleFish that encourages catch and release, and … you have to admit … the name is fun. Secondly, if you decide to keep and clean your fish, the guts or remains can be used for gardening. Fish remains when properly composted make a second to none garden fertilizer. Here are some great links for how to properly compost fish remains:

• http://www.gardenguides.com/87815-compost-fish-guts.html

• http://www.ehow.com/how_4603012_compost-fish-remains.html

• http://compost.css.cornell.edu/fishwaste.html

• http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/soil/msg1211121914104.html

Last, we share with you a number of ways materials have been recycled or repurposed into some crafty fish or fish related items:

• Beer Can Fish by Ritch Branstrom (great daddy, uncle or grandpa gifts)
• Bottle Cap Fish by John T. Unger
• Recycled Fish Tin Desk Organizer
• Fabric Fish by SewnNatural

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By cutting strips and rolling the fabric you can create a trendy new necklace to wear to work or out on the town tonight.  All you need is a t-shirt you don’t mind cutting into strips, and a pair of scissors. Oh, and a little inspiration would be good too.

Greenwala says: Basically, this project requires no expertise — just careful cutting skills.

All you need to do is cut full 1 inch strips off the bottom of your desired t-shirt (after you remove the hem).

Then pull each strip as illustrated above so that the jersey material curls in on itself — this will make the strip much shorter in length.

Repeat the process multiple times so that you end up creating as many strands as you like — the key is to graduate the length of each piece depending on the look that you want to achieve.

Here’s where it gets a lot more fun. Pull out your beads, sequins, charms, buttons…basically any old adornments you have tucked away in your closet and sew the pieces on in whatever manner floats your boat.

Thanks for the great idea Greenwala. RecycleChicken‘s intern will definitely be trying this one out.

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Cardboard tubes from various packaging and paper rolls can be transformed into a trendy art gallery in just a few steps according to Apartment Therapy.

Here’s how to do it:

• Clean the rolls by removing any labels or leftover paper.
• Mark the rolls by using a ruler and pencil to mark the width of each ring will help you keep the cuts straight and level. Make different sizes to add interest and dimension.
• Cut the tubes into rings using an X-acto knife and/or scissors.
• Trace circles around the ring to mark a circle on the photo you want to frame. Cut out the circle using scissors. The circle should be just a bit wider than the outside of the ring.
• Glue photos to rings by drawing a thin bead of glue on the rim of the cardboard ring. Glue the photo circle in place. Consider gluing the photo to the front of the ring so it stands out from the wall, or to the back of the ring so you can peer in at it.
• When all the rings are done and dry, use a little white glue on the side of the rings to glue them together.
• Hang the rings on the wall by putting up a few pushpins or small nails and slipping the rings over them.

Thanks so much for the great idea Apartment Therapy.

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Do you have some old tank tops that aren’t really worn out but you just don’t wear them anymore?  RecycleChicken has your solution.  With a sewing machine and some scissors you can turn those tops into handy totes for everyday use.

Tank Top Tote with 6 Pockets

You will need:

• tank top
• straight pins
• water-erasable fabric marker
• sewing machine and thread
• fabric scissors
• seam ripper
• sewing gauge or ruler

Here’s how to do it:

1. Cut off any tags with a seam ripper or scissors.

2. Turn the tank top inside out.

3. If the shirt has a bra liner like the one above, cut the elastic off the bottom of it.

4. Fold the shirt so that the straps lie on top of each other as shown in the picture.

5. Fold the bottom of the tank over itself. This will later become the pockets of your tote.

6. Pin in place, making sure the seams line up. Mark where you want the seams in between each pocket with pins or an erasable fabric marker.

7. Using a stitch that stretches with knit fabric, such as the triple straight stitch, sew the seams that divide each pocket. Make sure the bra liner is lying flat before sewing. Back-stitch to lock the seams.

8. Sew the bottom together about 1/4 inch from the edge. Back-stitch to lock the seam.

9. Turn the tote bag inside out so the pockets will be on the inside—or you can leave it as is if you would like the pockets on the outside of the tote.

Now onto the Gathered Tank Top Tote.

You will need:

• tank top
• straight pins
• water-erasable fabric marker
• sewing machine and thread
• fabric scissors
• seam ripper
• sewing gauge or ruler
• flower pin

Now all you have to do is put it together.

1. Cut off any and all tags with a seam ripper or scissors.

3. Fold so that the straps lie on top of each other as you can see in the picture above. Then, measure and mark where you want the seam to be. This example has placed it five inches from the bottom of the tank top.

4. Baste two rows (about 1/4 inch apart) along the line you marked. Do not back-stitch. Then pull the bobbin threads tight as you slide the fabric inward to gather it. Then use a straight stitch with a shorter stitch length and sew between the two basted seams. Back-stitch to lock the seam. Pull out the basted seams.

5. Cut off the excess fabric about 1/2 inch past the seam.

6. Turn the tote bag right-side out and you have a lovely new tote.

These great ideas, pictures, and instructions  have been provided by Craftynest.

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Cotton Monsters are made from 100% recycled clothing and linens to create one of a kind monsters. There are no patterns used so every monster is a little different. 

Some are quite creepy but the craftmanship is amazing. 

Jennifer Strunge is making these great monsters in her house in Maryland and they can be purchased from her shop at Etsy.

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These cabinets belong to a Barcelona couple who dubbed their new apartment the “R3 Project”—reduce, reuse, recycle, plus some extras, respect and restore. They wanted their home to be “sustainable, fun, and practical.” Their intense eco renovation is profiled in the new April/May issue of ReadyMade, which includes a short tutorial on how to build their awesome recycled wine crate kitchen cabinets.

Here are the direstions according to re-nest.

1. Take off the backs and sides of the wooden boxes and remove all the nails.
2. Lay out the fronts in your desired design to form the layout of your cabinets as a whole. Overlap and mix different kinds of wood to meet your aesthetic specifications.
3. Once you have your layout, cut the 8mm board to the size of each door. (This adds strength.) Use these pieces to mark where to cut the pieces of the wine crates so they fit exactly.
4. Mount the crate pieces to the 8mm wooden board with nails or screws (a greener option than glue). Nail from behind the wood boards so the front stays free of hardware. Use nails that are long enough to hold but not so long that they’ll poke through the front.
5. Add knobs to any drawers. Attach hinges to each door and install, making sure to level.
6. If the wood from the boxes isn’t varnished already, we recommend adding a layer or two so fingerprints and possible cooking spills can easily be removed.

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Fobots are the work of Raleigh, North Carolina artist Amy Flynn.  Amy started making robots to fill the time between illustration jobs. Now, it’s her passion, as it combines two of her favorite pastimes; making things and shopping. She scours flea markets, basements, internet auctions, and scrapyards for cool old junk. Amy then solders and bolts the pieces together to create sturdy, one-of-a-kind sculptures, never to be duplicated.

Each Fobot is numbered, with a copper plate on its back bearing the word “FOBOT” and its individual number. They call them butt tags.

Amy Flyn would also like to issue a Warning: Fobots are not toys, they are not functional, and they will not go on a rampage while you sleep. May contain lead solder, so don’t eat them.

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