New Uses for an Old Cigar Box

Last week we made a Cigar Box Desk Organizer which is featured in the Father's Day edition of Craft Magazine blog! Check out our DIY tutorial to make your dad an upcycled gift he'll be sure to reuse!

For more recycling craft ideas, check out these upcycled cigar box projects:

Cigar Box Turned Washi Paper Dispenser

by: Cathe Holden of Just Something I Made

view step-by-step instructions here!

3D Valentines and Gifts

by: The BBB Craft Sisters

view instructions on Design Sponge

Cigar Box Guitar

by: Ivan Sucharski

See instructions at Cigar Box Nation

These smokin' cigar box ideas are sure to be crafty fun!

Another "Junked" item Rescue Story!

A few weeks ago we asked for stories of ways you rediscovered or reused a "junked" or thrift store item. This week we're featuring Garbage of Eden founder and fellow trash-lover, Stephanie Huffaker's lost and found story:

A couple years ago, I bought a cute vintage necklace for $7 from a thrift shop. It was one of those large wooden-beaded necklaces from the 70's. It was a fun shape and it was black so it went with everything. I loved it and wore it all the time.

It fell off a lot because the clasp was loose, but since it was kind of big I usually noticed when it fell off and just put it right back on. I kept telling myself that I should restring the whole thing and replace the clasp but I just kept putting it off.

One day, I was running errands around my neighborhood when I noticed that my necklace was missing. I retraced my steps for a few blocks, but it was nowhere to be found. My favorite necklace was gone for good. :(

About a month later I invited a friend of mine to go shopping at the Salvation Army near my apartment. We got in line with the spoils of our thrifting adventures and...what to my wondering eyes?!

A black, 1970's wooden-beaded necklace was hanging by the checkout! I looked closer....it had a nick on one of the beads where I had stepped on it by mistake- it was my favorite necklace!

And this time it only cost me $1.00. :)

If you have a story you'd like to share, let us know! Email us at kathy (at) replayground (dot) com

Light up your dad’s day with this smokin’ cigar box desk tray

Dads are super-special people. They teach you everything they know and the credit they take is watching you grow. Do something special this dad’s day – make him something and share your crafty love.

We created this smokin’ cigar box organizer just for Craftzine and are happy to share it with you, too. Head on over there for the complete step-by-step and craft up an organizer that’s perfect for any dad – office essentials, tool organizer, fishing lures. Most any type of dad can use a little help with organizing.

If your dad doesn’t smoke cigars, no problem – swing by a smoke shop and ask for an empty box. That’s how I snagged mine. This project is a great way to show how much you care and it’s easy on the wallet, too. Your dad will beam with pride when you show him you were paying attention during his lesson on frugality.

I miss you daddy!
Thanks for everything you taught me!

Summer Soda Tab Ideas!

Looking for some upcycling summer fun? Take a look at these cool and crafty soda tab creations. For Earth Day, we taught how to make soda tab bracelets and belts at Etsy Labs, which you can view here. We met some creative people who took their own spin on on soda tabs, so we thought we'd share their ideas for your own recycling inspiration!

Crocheted Soda Tab Flower

Soda Tab Headband (laced with ribbon)

Double Stacker Soda Tab Bracelet

Add some soda tab pizzaz to a summer tote or t-shirt with this DIY project from our book! This DIY soda tab flower is one of 95 projects featured in our book ReMake It! Recycling Projects from the Stuff You Usually Scrap!

Have fun ReMaking it!

Tristin and Tyler talk trash again!

Tristin and Tyler helped me ReMake It at the Powerhouse Arena in Brooklyn, NY. I was promoting my new book, ReMake It, and they stopped by and filmed one of their Tales from the City episodes. They may look young, but they're old friends and have stopped by our RePlayGround before. Check out the latest video on YouTube. Then pick up a book so you can ReMake It, too!