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Many household items -- jars, cans, bottles -- can become an impromptu vase. But what about a book -- does that idea hold water? See more pictures of crafts.
From those favorite bedtime stories to the classics you read in college, books play an important role in people's lives. Whether in actual physical form as a slightly tattered and worn copy or simply as a series of memories, we carry these treasured tomes with us.
But as much as there are books you cherish, there are other works out there you just couldn't get through. No matter how many times you cracked open the cover, the book just never held your interest. Your bookshelves are packed with books you've enjoyed, but what about those books that didn't make the cut? You didn't like them, so chances are many of your friends won't, either. So there's no point in passing them on. But you can't throw them away, either.
Love it or hate it, throwing away a book is wasteful. Instead of trashing it, why not try crafting it into something useful.
Recycled Crafts |
Using a few simple materials, you can take that old book and turn it into a stylish and unique vase. Unlike expensive glass vases, this handmade creation won't cost you much. Should it get damaged, you'll easily be able to make another. Now you can make use of that boring read or turn a tattered treasured book into a purposeful keepsake.
If you find you have more books than places for vases, recycling is still an option. Many areas hold book drives to help boost library inventories or provide books to needy families. And your local recycling center may accept books along with your other disposables [source: Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency]. Either way, there are ways to recycle or re-use old books that keep them from spending decades in landfills.
If you're feeling craftsy, you've come to the right place. Check out the next page for instructions on creating a new vase from an old book.
