17 Ways to Construct Everyday Things

Netflix has altered the way we binge watch TV — rather than being way behind because you are just on season three of Breaking Bad, you are behind in the event that you haven’t watched an entire brand-new series two times after it premieres. In a bid to stay up to date, I’ve been watching the new series Orange Is the New Black, and I am constantly amazed at the ingenuity the offenders use to create useful things from the few items they have.

So far my favourite is the way Sophia covered her prison-issue sandals in duct tape because metallic was very in that season. Inmates transform juice grinds to black spot, make earplugs from cushion stuffing and affix pictures with their walls with chewing gum (don’t try that one at home!) It’s actually filled with inspirational lessons about working with everything you’ve got at your disposal. Many ers have this exact same talent for working with everything they have around the house. Here are 17 applications for everyday items that are likely stashed somewhere in your residence.

Netflix

On the display, the women must get very creative about working with everything they’ve got, and at times trading with what they’ve obtained. In this scene, Piper must trade a couple balls of her blond locks for Sophia to utilize as highlights in Tasha’s hairdo. In return, she gets cocoa butter which she mixes with chewed peppers up to make a soothing lotion for Red’s aching spine, which keeps her from becoming “starved out.” It’s complicated, and one has to be smart about working with what’s available.

Side note: I suggest reading Piper Kerman’s memoir, which the series is based upon, before your binge watch.

You likely have your own lotion, so here are some other things you can do with what you may already have around the house:

Double-sided tape. contributor Samantha Schoech did not wait around for a wallpaper hanger; she just affixed this Woods background with double-sided tape.

Lauren Donaldson

Rulers and yardsticks. These charming little wooden rulers was given out as freebies at businesses such as hardware stores and banks. The great typography and signals of use make them fantastic items to show now.

Here is how to create this garden organizer

Integrated

Staples. You know that you have that fabric scrap pile and that horrible still life of this pewter mug with all the pears on top of the gloomy dish towel you painted when you’re going through your mature ed art class stage (I know I do!) . Stretch a patterned fabric across said canvas and staple it to the back of the framework. Trust me, if your art talents are lacking like mine, it’ll be a major improvement and you will actually need to hang it.

Sarah Greenman

Tea bags. Give your too-bright-white cloths and furniture a beautiful aged appearance with tea. Here is how

Meg Padgett

Toothpaste. Anyone who has had to shoot down thumbtacks out of a dorm room with no access to spackle has heard this one — toothpaste does the suggestion in a jam. Use plain white, allow it to dry, then sand it down. Another great use for toothpaste would be to glow your faucets with it when you spill some from the sink (I picked up that suggestion from Mrs. Meyers).

Ryan Hill

Pipes. Use plumbing pipes and connectors to produce industrial power shelves, either freestanding or wall-mounted. You may need to actually earn a trip to the hardware store for this one, but hitting your local store is a lot easier than the ordeal of going to Ikea.

The best way to create these wall-mounted shelves

Julie Ranee Photography

The Way to create the freestanding Edition

Duct tape. It’s amazing how much one can do using this strong tape; my personal favorite is that this chair made by Cece Kaufman Interiors.

Rikki Snyder

Twine. I really like twine; it’s a charming, old-fashioned feel to it, and better yet, you probably have a spool in your gardening bag. This ingenious napkin ring consists of twine and a few acorns and leaves.

(re)work design & architecture

Clipboards. Whether made of particleboard, lucite or metal, clipboards create great makeshift frames for art in addition to spots to pin up inspiration and work. Only hammer a long nail right through the tiny hole and into the wall. You may also earn a mat underneath the art from a bit of paper.

Shannon Malone

Binder clips. These metal clips have a nostalgic feel and are a terrific way to clip up art. You can use them on a magnetic board or attach them to the wall with tiny nails. I’ve used the giant ones before to maintain up bigger pieces and the appearance is clean and industrial.

Natalie Myers

Maps. I love maps, but no one appears to use them anymore because they’ve GPS to help them get misplaced. At least GPS doesn’t call for a lot of complicated folding. Anyway, use maps to wrap shoeboxes and change them in to office-worthy organizers or Martha Stewart-caliber gift wrap.

Dolce Design & Home

Old newspapers and magazines. Get out the Modge Podge and rediscover the fun of decoupage. When it’s lamps, a dresser or a entire wall, then this retro art is making a significant comeback.

Understand how to use decoupage glue

Rubber bands. If you’ve ever made a ball from them, you have the abilities to change a piece of furniture by wrapping it in vibrant bands.

The Cavender Diary

Soup cans. Remember wrapping a can in paper in kindergarten and committing it to your Mother as a pencil holder? Though a 5-year-old could do it, it’s a fantastic idea. These cans are just stuck into a magnetic strip to corral modest tools, brushes and pencils. Leave the Campbell’s tags for a Warholian vibe, or strip off them for a sleeker look.

Designs by Gollum

Blankets. If you don’t have a tablecloth that is fulfilling your needs, throw a fresh wool blanket on top instead. It will completely change your tablescape for a cozy wintry meal.

The Painted Home

Mason jars. If those heirloom candlesticks are too fancy for the relaxed dinner party, get out that 100 pack of tea lights from Ikea and pop them into mason jars. These work nicely as hurricanes outside.

Watch more applications for mason jars

Clothespins. Extend a string, bit of raffia or wire for your favourite photos or pages out of a book and clip them up like little pieces of laundry on a line.I prefer to do so together with my holiday cards so I can enjoy looking at them for a couple of month.

Now you: ers, what exactly are your preferred alternative uses for everyday products? Can you brush your teeth with baking soda? Are lemons and vinegar that the cleaning supplies in your residence? Also, do you binge watch Friday Night Lights, The Wire, LOST or something else? Do tell!

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