A Mason Jar + a Shelf = "Fresh Cut Flower" Shelf

On: Monday, January 16, 2012

A Mason Jar Fresh Cut Flower Shelf

We love having lots fresh herbs, plants and flowers at home. They freshen up our interior and make us feel comfortable and uplifted.

We have already shared a few unique upcycling ideas on indoor plants: here's a cool upside-down planting hack and here's an awesome light bulb mini-greenhouse.

Today we share another cool idea: "Fresh Cut Flower" Shelf. Here's a detailed instruction to print out.

It is a great way to turn your boring wooden shelf into something unique and fun!

Enjoy!

A Mason Jar Fresh Cut Flower Shelf

Three of the Strangest Things Inspired By... Printer Ink Cartridges

On: Saturday, December 17, 2011

Note from editor: we have had one fun idea on reusing cartridges into a lamp. Now here a few more of creative examples of getting inspired with cartridges!

Almost everyone uses printer ink cartridges all the time, whether you’re at the office, at home, or constructing an elaborate set-up of dominos for your Rube Goldberg machine and ran out halfway through. In fact, they’re so omnipresent they almost seem invisible. I know I barely register them, even as I’m tossing out the old ones and slotting the new ones home.

Some people see differently though. Very differently. These three strange and wonderful things, in no particular order, are a tribute to that creative impulse that drives those strange and wonderful people to make things like...

Cartridge Lamps And Lightboxes

Used Ink Cartridge Lamps

Since some bright spark noticed that ink cartridges are translucent, images of these fun and creative decorations have suffused the internet. The wide range of bright colours that adorn the fronts of ink cartridges makes them pretty handy for home decorating, but what really sells them is how eco-friendly they are. Not only does the maker recycle old printer ink cartridges to make the lamps and lightboxes, but they also use very energy-efficient bulbs to generate the light.

Etsy is well-known for the, ahem, quirky charm of many of its products, so it’s not much of a surprise that the website that inspired the comedic parody site Regretsy.com is responsible for these crafty little designs. What is surprising is how genuinely appealing the things look, although some might baulk at the price and decide they’d rather make some themselves.

What happened next?

The people behind boxlightbox on Etsy have since moved their online store to Lowell and Louise, but are staying on Etsy for now. Although their store is empty at the time of writing, it looks as though we might see more from them in the near future.

A Metalcore Band

Ink Cartridge Funeral

Yep, you heard right. Metalcore. The heavy metal sub-genre of metalcore has been deeply fashionable with a certain type of metal fan (the younger ones) for a few years now, and is distinguished from other metal genres by its melding of metal, hardcore punk, and post-hardcore influences.

The band certainly ticked all the right metalcore boxes, with quirkily aggressive song titles such as If Your Laugh Was Your Life, I’d Hate To Have Your Life, depressing and self-conscious song lyrics, and a promising deal with a record label. However, with a name like Ink Cartridge Funeral, you have to wonder if these guys were ever bound for success.

Their album is now out of print, but you can still listen to their tunes on last.fm and on their MySpace page.

Ink Cartridge Funeral didn’t use ink cartridges as inspiration for any of their songs – at least, not explicitly or directly – but their name will last forever as a footnote in the twinned histories of weird metalcore band names, and ink cartridges.

What happened next?

If your interest in Ink Cartridge Funeral and their music was piqued by any of those links, don’t worry – three of their members continue to play in internationally-touring post-hardcore band Silent Drive.

Sci-Fi Art

Sci-Fi Art
Sci-Fi Art

Printer ink cartridges already have a certain amount of geek credibility. When boxlightbox first posted their lamps on Etsy, it was the geeky tech blogs that were first to leap on the news. Artist Faith Pearson seized on this geek cred and took it up to eleven; she re-created a series of iconic sci-fi and pop cultural figures and landmarks using printer ink cartridges as her material.

Faith recreated scenes and props from such classics as Star Trek, Godzilla and King Kong. She also recreated a night out at the theatre, but don't worry; geeky superhero movie Kick Ass (more like ass kick) is playing on the screen, and the audience is made up of such comic book luminaries as the Incredible Hulk, the Joker, Penguin and oft-derided superhero Aquaman.

What happened next?

Faith Pearson lives in Birmingham, England, where among other things she helps kids to make toy theatres and giant dinosaurs. Whether this is a wise course of action is unknown – it depends, of course, on the type of dinosaur being created – but it is certainly a very cool course of action.

Patrick Robson is a freelance journalist and regular blogger. Patrick blogs for Cartridge Shop, an online provider of a wide range of printer cartridges from respected brands, such as Canon ink.

Wine Corks into the Bulletin Board

On: Sunday, August 21, 2011

If I ever knew you could do so many useful and awesome things using wine corks, I would have never thrown away a single one!

Today's idea is fun and useful: create a Bulletin Board for your in-family communication or for your to-do list using wine corks!

You will need is glue, canvas to keep the whole thing today and about 40 wine corks! Super easy DIY!

Wine Corks into the Bulletin Board

Here are more fun DIY ideas with wine corks:  bath mat out of wine corks, wine cork serving tray, wine bottle corks armchair as well as one of these 3 eco-friendly DIY Christmas wreaths. Also, read about being an eco-friendly parent here. Get greener and more creative!


Mason Jars into Elegant Garden Lanterns

On: Monday, August 8, 2011

Mason jars work great as upcycling material: they look pretty (no need for extra decor) and are rather thick and reliable (they aren't even afraid of open fire).

Here's a detailed tutorial on creating stylish mason jar lanterns to decorate your garden.

You will need:
  • 1 pint or ½ pint mason jars
  • 2-2 ½ feet of bailing wire per lantern
  • Sand
  • Votive or tea light candles
Tools:
  • Pencil
  • Wire cutters
  • Needle Nose Pliers

Mason Jars into Elegant Garden Lanterns

More cool DIY ideas for garden lanterns

Plastic Bottle into a Bird Feeder

On: Friday, August 5, 2011

Bird feeders are always fun to make as you can easily enroll your kids into the process. It is awesome to watch birds coming and it also teaches your children to care for the Nature (which, in turn, makes them kinder, more responsible and eco-conscious).

Here are a couple of nice-looking useful and smart ways to re-use your old plastic bottles into bird-feeders:

1) For this one, apart from a large plastic bottle, you will also need two wooden spoons that work as actual feeders. The wholes above the spoons will let bird seeds out, but not too much:

Plastic Bottle into a Bird Feeder

2) I fell in love with this one: the roof looks fantastic! And your kids will love the idea of "Welcome home" message. It must really feel at home there:

Plastic Bottle into a Bird Feeder

Recycle Old-Fashioned Belts into a Garden Chair

On: Thursday, August 4, 2011

If you have an old lawn chair that is already too old to offer your barbecue guests to sit on it, here's a great idea to renovate it: use your old forgotten western belts as webbing for the tired chair.

Recycle Old-Fashioned Belts into a Garden Chair

Breathe new life into your backyard chair!

Plastic Bottles into Upside Down Herb Planters

On: Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Plastic Bottles into Upside Down Herb Planters

If you love planting and adore original designs and ideas, you will find this idea simply awesome! Plant herbs upside down and use old plastic bottles for this!
  • These save plenty of space;
  • They look amazing and fun (your guests and friends will love it!)
  • That's an awesome way to reuse old plastic bottles.

Plastic Bottles into Upside Down Herb Planters

Here's the detailed instruction as well as another way to implement the idea.

More ways to re-use those plastic bottles: