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If you've never heard the buzzword ‘upcycle,’ you’ve probably been off to the moon. The trend of creative reuse is all about transforming ​products that would otherwise end up in the trash.

Why? Because it’s is a great way to reuse materials and reduce our footprint. Plus, it’s fun and if you're still not convinced, below we have plenty of evidence of people using their skills and ingenuity to give old stuff a new life.

From a handcrafted tote bag made from a bunch of plastic bags to an old grill transformed into a cute herb garden, nothing seems impossible for these handy people. Scroll down, upvote your fave remade objects, and be sure to share your own upcycling ideas in the comments below!

#1

This Kind Man Is Recycling Old Camp Coolers To Make Warm Kitty Shelters For Winter! How Cool Is This?!

This Kind Man Is Recycling Old Camp Coolers To Make Warm Kitty Shelters For Winter! How Cool Is This?!

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Otter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need to show this to the "cat lady" I know, she has some ferals that live in her yard. Perfect waterproof kitty hutches!

Night Owl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are several similar great ideas with instructions on the internet

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William J Dougherty
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this!! Feral cats often suffer due to overbuilding, as many animals do. Giving them comfort like this is a humane act of highest order!

PeachPossum
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do they have backdoors so our feline friends can make a hasty exit, stage right, just in case a skunk follows them in?

Laura kelly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What you would have to do is to leave the lid unlatched so a scared kitty could push it up and escape.

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Josey Griffin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it when people come up with great recycling ideas. Fantastic. We waste too much.

Judy Watson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! how greate and creative,,kitties will love it..Thank you Mister =*..*=

Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is common for feral cat communities and the people who serve them. I made several of these a few years ago when I was volunteering. You can line them with old clothes for insulation and then use like Mylar or some type of plastic to keep it dry. The hardest part is cutting the hole. We used big storage bins though and not coolers.

Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cool and compassionate. I hope he's not going to be hated for it by some (too many) BP 'commentators'.

Em Johnson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a great idea!! This man deserves a a huge hug and applause. 🤗👏🏼

Seabeast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A hole saw that big must have a kick like a mule. No wonder he bought the kind with a second handle to grab onto.

Never Stop Learning
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely please remove latches that snap lid down. A child could get caught in ice chest like one of those. With cat hole, child could breath but die if not immediately found.

M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Generally coolers like this are decommissioned from their original purpose because the live-hinge latches or plastic spine hinges are broken. Coolers with proper latches that have the possibility of actually trapping a child haven't been made in decades.

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CincyReds
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aww That is just adorable! I wish I was crafty and could do something like this!

Viv Hart
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Super idea, I'm very keen on reusing/recycling objects, esp. plastic, hate all the plastics on dumps.

Carlye Piparato
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

Lisa Chambers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh I need that attachment for my drill! I cannot seem to cut a decent entry way into any of the kitty shelters I made! This is so great.

Valerie Hie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

those are awesome, an idea though would be two exits so the animal can have an escape in case something blocks the one way

sharron lynn parsons
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is the winter like, being plastic, they may be rather cold, however, a wonderful man !!!

helen gray
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are insulated and it looks like he might be adding straw bedding. Straw is very warm to sleep in - I have tried it!

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Elsie Collins
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant idea!! Hope he fills,them with straw!! It holds body heat and they can burrow under it!!

H.L.Lewis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Has he made them waterproof? Coolers do not have water tight lids, since most people are putting ice in them. But If you leave a cooler out in the rain, water will leak in from the lid. Since it is level and not beveled to keep water out. Otherwise, I find these quite cool!

Marilyn Holt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BTW, it's best to make a second hole on the other side so a kitty doesn't get trapped in there.

Samantha PandaNotBored
Community Member
3 years ago

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But these are insulated in a way to keep the cold in , and even make it more colder. The insulation is not for warmth , it’s a different product 🙊🙊… Dont tell him though 🙈

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#2

The School Security Guard Decided To Save The Discarded Benches And Gave Them A Second Life

The School Security Guard Decided To Save The Discarded Benches And Gave Them A Second Life

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#3

I Take Plastic Shipping /Bale Straps From Hardware Store Waste, And Make Sturdy, Functional & Fashionable Baskets! (My Cats Also Love Them At Every Stage)

I Take Plastic Shipping /Bale Straps From Hardware Store Waste, And Make Sturdy, Functional & Fashionable Baskets! (My Cats Also Love Them At Every Stage)

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, how do some people come up with these ideas. Great way to recycle those plastic strips.

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Every year we dump a massive 2.12 billion tons of waste. If all this waste was put on trucks, they would go around the world 24 times. This stunning amount of waste is partly because 99 percent of the stuff we buy is trashed within 6 months.

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Luckily, more and more people are now becoming aware of the damage of the waste they produce and the footprint they leave on their planet by consuming stuff on a daily basis. Sustainable consumption is a way to do more and better with less, meaning that we give old products a whole new life.

To find out more about the now-trending practice of upcycling, we talked to Lina Survila, an editor-in-chief of Abstract Stylist magazine. “Upcycling is a re-use of no longer desirable items. It can be something that has lost its function or simply doesn't spark joy anymore,” Lina explained this buzzword.

#4

Pulled Out Of A Trash Heap. It Was One Part Of A Military File Cabinet. Thorough Cleaning, Paint And A Little Shining Up Followed By Wrapping It In Wood From My Scrap Pile. Added Some Legs And Bingo Bango!

Pulled Out Of A Trash Heap. It Was One Part Of A Military File Cabinet. Thorough Cleaning, Paint And A Little Shining Up Followed By Wrapping It In Wood From My Scrap Pile. Added Some Legs And Bingo Bango!

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#5

This Rug Used To Be A Bunch Of Ugly T-Shirts

This Rug Used To Be A Bunch Of Ugly T-Shirts

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rug braiding is sooooo easy too! The hardest part is just the monotony of cutting enough strips of material. The braiding then stitching together is a breeze.

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#6

I Convinced My Friend To Not Throw Away His Old Fencing And Let Me Build Him Garden Boxes. How Do You Think They Came Out?

I Convinced My Friend To Not Throw Away His Old Fencing And Let Me Build Him Garden Boxes. How Do You Think They Came Out?

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“Creative upcycling is becoming more and more popular as people are looking for new ways to express their creativity and stay original,” she said and added that “the sustainability aspect is a strong motivator to give items a second life.”

When asked whether people are becoming more aware about producing less waste in their daily lives, Lina assured us that this is definitely the case. “People are definitely talking more about conscious lifestyle choices than they used to.”

But it’s not all up to them. If we talk about the greatest impact in producing waste, we need to realize that “big changes, especially in the fashion industry, should come from big brands making their supply chain more clean and transparent.” So the companies that produce huge amounts of stuff, like the famous fast fashion brands, are really the ones to blame.

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#7

Earrings Who Lost Their Mates Turned Into A Charm Bracelet

Earrings Who Lost Their Mates Turned Into A Charm Bracelet

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#8

I Turned An Old Microwave Cart Into A Rolling LEGO Stand For My Daughters For Christmas

I Turned An Old Microwave Cart Into A Rolling LEGO Stand For My Daughters For Christmas

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#9

Upcycled 3 Old T-Shirts Into 1 New One

Upcycled 3 Old T-Shirts Into 1 New One

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“The more we upcycle, the more we choose not to buy something new. It's like making dinner from scraps—you use something most people would throw away, and you save money,” Lina said. She’s also a believer in a conscious lifestyle that’s something to be affordable for all and not reserved for the people with higher incomes.

You can upcycle virtually anything, from clothes and accessories to household objects. “I upcycle paper boxes and bags, glass bottles, and old textiles. For example, you can upcycle your old bed linen to small kitchen napkins or towels. Also, use boxes as containers for storage, build compartments in your closet from them,” the editor concluded.

#10

Turned An Old Fan With A Bad Motor Into A Lamp

Turned An Old Fan With A Bad Motor Into A Lamp

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#11

Made Some Shorts, A Bucket Hat And A Bag All From One Old Jacket

Made Some Shorts, A Bucket Hat And A Bag All From One Old Jacket

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#12

A Rose For My Partner On Our Anniversary, Made From Recycled Cutlery

A Rose For My Partner On Our Anniversary, Made From Recycled Cutlery

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#13

My Vintage TV Barn Find Turned Into My New Bar Cart

My Vintage TV Barn Find Turned Into My New Bar Cart

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#16

Made A Fairy Succulent Garden Patio Area With A Broken Pot

Made A Fairy Succulent Garden Patio Area With A Broken Pot

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#17

I Repurpoused My Old Grill Into A Small Herb Garden! I Hope All The Seeds Grow Soon

I Repurpoused My Old Grill Into A Small Herb Garden! I Hope All The Seeds Grow Soon

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#19

Picked Up A Used Cardigan That Turned Out To Look Much Better In The Picture Than In Person, So I Turned It Back To Yarn And Crocheted The Yarn Into A Cat Bed (I Didn't Use A Pattern)

Picked Up A Used Cardigan That Turned Out To Look Much Better In The Picture Than In Person, So I Turned It Back To Yarn And Crocheted The Yarn Into A Cat Bed (I Didn't Use A Pattern)

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Megan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I now want a cat so I have an excuse to have a cute bed like this in my house!

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#20

IKEA Backpack

IKEA Backpack

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Oskar vanZandt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those blue bags (the material) are almost indestructible... that backpack will last as long as the seams etc. do.

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#21

A Neighbor Was Giving Away This Kid Size Chest Of Drawers For Free, So I Snagged It And Made It Into A Quarantine Bar

A Neighbor Was Giving Away This Kid Size Chest Of Drawers For Free, So I Snagged It And Made It Into A Quarantine Bar

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#22

Swater Not Won Since 1996 And A Zipper From An Old Bag = Wool Overall For My Kid

Swater Not Won Since 1996 And A Zipper From An Old Bag = Wool Overall For My Kid

InsanitySuitsMe Report

#23

Turned A Thrifted Blanket Into These Ridiculous Sweats

Turned A Thrifted Blanket Into These Ridiculous Sweats

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#24

Unused Bags, It's Time To Do Some Handicraft

Unused Bags, It's Time To Do Some Handicraft

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#25

I Read That A Lot Of Donated Clothes End Up In Landfills Anyway, So Started Saving Our Old Fabrics/Textiles That Didn’t Seem Nice Enough For Resale. Finally Used Them To Make This Pet Bed!

I Read That A Lot Of Donated Clothes End Up In Landfills Anyway, So Started Saving Our Old Fabrics/Textiles That Didn’t Seem Nice Enough For Resale. Finally Used Them To Make This Pet Bed!

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#26

A Raincoat For My Dog Made Out Of A Broken Promotional Umbrella (She’s Not Impress)

A Raincoat For My Dog Made Out Of A Broken Promotional Umbrella (She’s Not Impress)

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#27

Teacup Birdfeeders Made By Me

Teacup Birdfeeders Made By Me

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#28

Made A Bag For My Mom's Yarn From Old Window Screen

Made A Bag For My Mom's Yarn From Old Window Screen

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#29

Repurposed An Old Cable Spool Into A Table For My Zero Waste Store

Repurposed An Old Cable Spool Into A Table For My Zero Waste Store

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Alloydog
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've got one of those in my back-garden at the moment, with stuff on. It's not so much a "table" yet, as I haven't tarted it up at all, rather it's a "cable-reel that I use for putting stuff on" :)

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#30

My Old Favourite Jeans Turned Into A Pen Roll

My Old Favourite Jeans Turned Into A Pen Roll

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#32

Got This Pillowcase At A Local Thrift Store For 50 Cents! Flipped It Into A Cute Purse!

Got This Pillowcase At A Local Thrift Store For 50 Cents! Flipped It Into A Cute Purse!

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Nannychachi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Twice a year our local furniture store gives me their fabric upholstery swatches. Some are leather and I make purses with them. I used a lot of the fabric ones to make stuffed bunnies for kids at Easter.

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#33

A Knit A Sweater Made Entirely Of Old /Scrap Yarns I Had Lying Around

A Knit A Sweater Made Entirely Of Old /Scrap Yarns I Had Lying Around

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#34

Repurposed A Diaper Box + Some Contact Paper Into A Little Bookcase For My Son

Repurposed A Diaper Box + Some Contact Paper Into A Little Bookcase For My Son

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#36

Ultimate Upcycling! Abandoned Car To Airbnb!

Ultimate Upcycling! Abandoned Car To Airbnb!

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Otter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who wants to sleep in something out in the yard, with no curtains???

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#38

I Turned An Old Dresser Into A Microwave Stand!

I Turned An Old Dresser Into A Microwave Stand!

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#39

Update! TV With Cats (And You Can See The Chandelier I Made From An Old Vase)

Update! TV With Cats (And You Can See The Chandelier I Made From An Old Vase)

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#40

Turned An Old Mannequin Hand And Gold Metal Tray Into A Light! (Not My Idea Originally, I Saw Some Similar Online)

Turned An Old Mannequin Hand And Gold Metal Tray Into A Light! (Not My Idea Originally, I Saw Some Similar Online)

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#43

IKEA Bags Into Windbreaker

IKEA Bags Into Windbreaker

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Danieletc
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

His expression says... "Should I tell boo what I REALLY think? Nah."

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#44

Old Handmade Writing Desk Turned Into A Changing Table For The New Nursery

Old Handmade Writing Desk Turned Into A Changing Table For The New Nursery

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#46

Something I Made From Old Bicycle Parts And Christmas Lights

Something I Made From Old Bicycle Parts And Christmas Lights

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#47

I Turned Old Perfume Bottles Into Room Diffusers

I Turned Old Perfume Bottles Into Room Diffusers

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#48

I Turned My Friend's Old Dress Shirt Into A Crop Top With A Matching Mask And Scrunchie!

I Turned My Friend's Old Dress Shirt Into A Crop Top With A Matching Mask And Scrunchie!

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#49

Took Two Old Shirts And Made Two New Ones!

Took Two Old Shirts And Made Two New Ones!

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#50

Upcycled A Thrifted Suit By Painting On It ! It Took Me About 30 Hours, But I Love The Result

Upcycled A Thrifted Suit By Painting On It ! It Took Me About 30 Hours, But I Love The Result

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#51

A Bed Made Out Of An Old Towel And Stuffing From An Even Older Soft Toy, For My Cat!

A Bed Made Out Of An Old Towel And Stuffing From An Even Older Soft Toy, For My Cat!

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#52

I Made This Cosy Pj Set From My Old Blanket And I'm So Happy With The Outcome Since I've Never Made Shorts Before!

I Made This Cosy Pj Set From My Old Blanket And I'm So Happy With The Outcome Since I've Never Made Shorts Before!

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#53

My Neighbour Was Throwing Out An Old Bench. I Gave It A New Lease Of Life

My Neighbour Was Throwing Out An Old Bench. I Gave It A New Lease Of Life

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#54

Vintage Tiny TV Upcycling!

Vintage Tiny TV Upcycling!

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#55

I Needed A Travel Pill Container For A Big Trip. Rather Than Buying One, I Made One Out Of An Old Altoids Tin And An Old Plastic Membership Card

I Needed A Travel Pill Container For A Big Trip. Rather Than Buying One, I Made One Out Of An Old Altoids Tin And An Old Plastic Membership Card

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ShadowLand 🇨🇦
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Rx medications should always be in their original bottles. That way you won't get busted for possession of an illegal substance. For example: the blue pills are a banned substance in the USA. Just saying...

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#56

I Initially Thought This Was A Photo Organizer Or Recipe Card Holder, But It Appears To Be A Floppy Disk Organizer! Anyway, I Fell In Love With Its Little Roll Top At The Thrift Store And Took It Home To Upcycle Into A Charging Station. It’s So Nice To Have A Way To Hide All The Ugly Cables!

I Initially Thought This Was A Photo Organizer Or Recipe Card Holder, But It Appears To Be A Floppy Disk Organizer! Anyway, I Fell In Love With Its Little Roll Top At The Thrift Store And Took It Home To Upcycle Into A Charging Station. It’s So Nice To Have A Way To Hide All The Ugly Cables!

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Johnny Rodriguez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good ol' times..you could bypass the copy protection with a perforator..

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#57

I Turned A 1952 Rca TV Into My New Home Bar

I Turned A 1952 Rca TV Into My New Home Bar

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Jayne Kyra
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see Kraken! Excellent choice of spiced rum for a friendly price. And still tastes well with coke for those who prefer a smoother ride.

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#58

Used A Paper Towel Roll, Hot Glue, And Some Leftover Rope From Another Project To Make A Cat Scratcher For My New Kitten

Used A Paper Towel Roll, Hot Glue, And Some Leftover Rope From Another Project To Make A Cat Scratcher For My New Kitten

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A B C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By "paper towel roll", do they mean the cardboard thing that's in the middle of every roll? If so, this scratcher is not gonna last long.

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#59

Repurposed My Old Bike As A Shirt Rack

Repurposed My Old Bike As A Shirt Rack

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