SOCKS

If the washer or dryer monster mysteriously consume a sock and you're left with a spare, or if your socks are past their prime, you can use them for other things.

1. When dusting or cleaning, simply slip the sock over your hand and use it to wipe down anything in the house.

2. Fill a sock with rice or wheat, heat it in the microwave for a few seconds, and use it as a heating pad.

3. You can certainly make a sock puppet, or two or three

4. Put a ball inside and tie off the end to make a tug toy for a dog. Or fill it with catnip for a cat to play with.

5. Fill it with leftover soap pieces and use in the washing machine for washing dedicates.

Brass candle sticks, or other items that are tired and pitted.

A great way to give them new life is by spray painting them. Try a flat black paint and then rub some of the new paint off to let the old brass show through.

Another thing would be to get some Art Deco paints and spray them with lacquer afterwards for a very dramatic look.

Not everything needs to go into the trash. Plus they could even make a nice gift for someone else.

Old window pane with glass.

This could be turned into a great new bird feeder under a favorite window with mounting chains at a 90 degree angle.

You can even put different seeds into each panel and then watch the birds enjoy their new bird feeder. Hours of fun for the whole family!

Web sites for places you can give your unwanted stuff to:

Batteries - batteryrecycling.com

Books - booksforafrica.org

Bridesmaid dresses - donatemydress.org

Business attire - thewomensalliance.org / careergear.org

Cell Phones - cellphonesforsoldiers.com

Furniture - nationalfurniturebank.org

Musical instruments - therootsofmusic.com

Paint, tools, and other building supplies - habitat.or/cd/env/restore.aspx

Sports equipment - sportsgift.org

Video games - donategames.org

Winter coats - onewarmcoat.org

Yoga mats - recycleyourmat.com

Regal Recycling from Escama Studio

You've never seen the pull tabs from drink cans used so stylishly.
The Lenilda Pop Top Chain Bag is hand crocheted from post consumed recycled tabs, and lined with a swanky silver satin.
And it's really shiny, too!

Check them out at www.escamastudio.com