As you employ the Transformational Organization process, you will encounter items that you simply won’t use but you don’t want to throw away. It is better stewardship of the planet if you upcycle these items to give as gifts or to use in your own home. Check out Pinterest for ideas or follow some of the suggestions listed here:

China:

Chipped or broken china can be broken into smaller pieces and used to tile vases, pots, bowling balls, bed trays or wooden boxes.

Jars:

Spaghetti sauce jars are wonderful for filling the dry ingredients for baking cookies. Layer the ingredients (put the flour on the bottom). You can also make Hot Cocoa Jars layering cocoa, dried milk, powdered sugar and dehydrated marshmellows. (Hint: put the powdered milk in a blender and blend for 10 seconds to give the powder a finer consistency).  Also, try this with chili spices. Cover the lid with fabric and tie with a piece of raffia. These look so homey displaced in your pantry.

You can also store olive and peppers in olive oil in jars to enhance your spaghetti or toss with pasta for a quick side dish.

Mirrors:

Small mirrors can be used on shelves in your linen closet or bathroom. Mirrors make the space seem larger and reflects the light enhancing your DIY spa.

Flatware:

Odds and ends flatware can be made into jewelry or a windchime. You can also dip spoons in chocolate to add flavor to your coffee. A set of these make a nice gift. Just dip into the chocolate and let harden. Cover the tip of the spoon in a small plastic cellophane wrapper and tie with a pretty ribbon.

Bottles/Decanters:

Clear glass bottles and decanters make wonderful storage jars for infused vinegars and vodkas. You can paint or etch the outside of the bottle to make it beautiful to give as a gift.

Jewelry:

Pins and brooches make nice embellishments to a stack of linen napkins tied with ribbon. If you have a great magnet, it is easy to convert to a pin by hot gluing a pin back to the magnet.

Keychains:

Keychains can be converted to ornaments or zipper pulls.

Linens:

Old linens can be used to make quilts, baby blankets, dog bedding, pillow or throws.

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