repurpose

Lifehack: Lid-erature

Jeff

Did you ever visit a friend’s house and find that they use something in a unique or creative way? Or perhaps you see something demonstrated online showing how an item considered trash can be turned into a useful tool. I think everyone likes to learn about Lifehacks and how to use things creatively.

I use and/or have developed a number of Lifehacks. I haven’t shared one in quite a while so I hope you find these interesting, if not useful.

Many of our “bottles” and jars are now made from recyclable plastic, but most ot their lids, however, are not recyclable. We save some of the lids in a variety of sizes and repurpose them for alternative uses around the house.

This peanut butter container, for example, has a sturdy red lid that is a nice size.


Peanut butter jar with red lid

We use the lids as a snack dish of sorts to hold candies or nuts that we enjoy while watching Netflix.


pb jar lid with mms

Some lids can be used to hold specialized small portions such as this lid-container holding three morning vitamins.


small lid with pills

Then there are times we have a partially filled bottle of wine in the refrigerator. Since red wine is best serve at or near room temperature, we use lids from plastic containers to cover the wine while it warms.


Wine glass with lid

This particular lid was from a container of cheese crumbles.


cover lid with wine bottle


Do you use container lids in creative ways? Leave a comment below!

 

JBRish.com originally published this post – ALL Photography Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross, ALL Rights Reserved.

See previous Lifehack posts HERE

Once Lamp Shade-Now Planter!

Jeff

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” – Boyd K. Parker

Or “repurpose it!!” The concept has been used for hundreds of years (think old cowboy boot nailed on a wooden post as a mail drop!)…but now the practice of using or changing an item for an alternate use has developed “urban cachet”.

When the base of a floor lamp was unable to be safely stabilized, we knew it had to be discarded…but the large glass lampshade was perfectly fine.

It was approximately 18” in diameter with fluted edges that (from afar and to a non-discriminating eye) looked a bit like marble or alabaster! A perfect planter!

Several layers of plastic mesh (rain gutter lining) were placed over the two-inch opening at the base to facilitate drainage and keep the dirt (a modified cactus mix) from escaping through the bottom.

Small succulents (in 3-4” pots) from a local hardware store were carefully transplanted into the lampshade planter. A rounded Mammillaria was chosen for the center and five other selections spaced evenly around the perimeter. These are all fairly slow growing plants with similar light and water needs. Light colored gravel was placed on top to serve as mulch and to add a decorative contrast.

The planter sits on a table top beneath a covered patio and receives filtered light. Although the height makes it (hopefully) inaccessible to javelina; birds and squirrels remain potential adversaries.

After six months, the plants appear healthy and show some (small) growth. The planter now happily lives within 10 feet of where it was once a lampshade!!