Recycled Crafts: Ideas Using Crystal Light Canisters

In my quest to stay organized on a limited budget, I am always looking for storage solutions to use in my scrapbooking room. I have converted everything from a clear plastic bandage container holding brads to breath mint containers (think TicTacs) that I use for sorting small metal embellishments and punchies. When I first looked at the drink containers (think Crystal Light, Wyler's, Kool-Aid), I saw containers for my various markers and pens. In an effort to find some ideas of how to put the pencil holder together, I was astounded at the numerous crafts that were suggested uses for these lidded cylinders.

In addition to sharing a few of my ideas, I have also added some links to more clever usages for these recyclable containers.

• Quick Table Decor. For the photo I simply took a remnant of fabric and wrapped it around the container, then threw a floral bush that I had in another vase in it. Voile'. An easy, low-cost solution to decorating your table in a hurry. Use remnants of fabric that you have on hand and make some up in advance to match your tableclothes or runners. The piece I used was 9"x11". While it doesn't have to be quite that large, I tucked under about 1/2" on the bottom (snip about 3/8" in intervals along the bottom to avoid puckering), and folded the extra fabric at the top to the inside.  Using a glue gun, apply a small amount of glue to the fabric to hold it in place.
• Ribbon Keeper Gift Box This little treasure was found on the Disney Family Fun website and is so cute! It was submitted as part of The Amazing Recycled Crafts Contest. It holds and dispenses ribbons and can be decorated in many ways. I like this idea for scrapbook organization. Kid friendly, too!
• Recycled Crafts: Make a Nightlight out of a Crystal Light Container Located on craftjr.com. This is a project that could take on a life of it's own! In addition to suggested media, I'm thinking fringe, ribbons, fabric, etc. to enhance the look and feel of the nightlight.

• Take Along Food Container. Since these containers come in small or tall, you can use the small ones to take assorted crackers or Cheerios along for baby in the diaper bag. They also make great containers to portion chips or crackers for a lunch snack at work or school. One of my favorite takealongs is the small container for salad dressing to pour on my lunch salad that I take to the office. The cover stays in place nicely and I store the unused portion in the refrigerator.
• Gift Box. Think of the possibilities for this use! A pair of new socks or a scarf, candy pieces, homemade cookies...the list can go on. Take the larger drink mix container, use some spray adhesive and a piece of wrapping paper to decorate the outside. You can even cut a 4" square of matching paper using decorative scissors and place it on top before adding the plastic lid back on (being careful not to tear the paper. Just add a bow and you have a free gift box. For some additional fun, take a 6-8" piece of ribbon or gold cord and attached it to the lid to hang it from the Christmas tree.

• Recycling Crafts: Dad's Faux Leather Pencil Holder. This is a great project for the kids. Made with masking tape and shoe polish, this pencil holder will be a hit with Dad or Grandpa. A very clever idea and worth a look.
• Piggy Bank.Get your kids involved with decorating their own money container! Use scrapbooking scraps, stickers, glitter glue, and ribbon you have leftover from some of your other projects. Let your kids make it personal, then help them cut a slit in the top big enough for a quarter to fit in. Piggy stickers and dollar signs would be a fun idea for this one. Have a race to see who can earn enough coins doing chores to fill it up the fastest...the winner gets a week off of chores (with pay of course)!
• Tea Light Candle Holder. For battery-operated tea lights only - do not burn candles in this plastic! What a lovely lighted display this would be. Use it as the center of a floral arrangement for nice table centerpiece or display on an entry table. The tea lights will fit nicely into the taller cylindrical container. You can also use a product called Floralytes that come in different colors for floral lighting.

I'm sure there are many more uses and crafty ideas for these versatile containers.  Would love to hear what you've found them useful for as well.