CasaSugar

DIY: Eco Chopstick Birdhouse

CasaSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:15:12 -0700

I came across this YouTube video by eco-architect Michelle Kaufmann about how to make a birdhouse by reusing chopsticks from all those Friday night orders of vegetable lo mein. I'm actually quite impressed with the design; contrary to what you might expect, it doesn't look a thing like a kindergarten craft project. I summarized the steps for you below, but some of you may find the video helpful as well.

Supplies

Chopsticks
Non-toxic exterior glue
String or wire

To learn the steps, read more.

Here are the steps:

Put some glue in a small container or dish.
Take three chopsticks. Lay them down in a triangle, having the outer corners all connect.
Dip another chopstick in the glue, and use it to dab the glue on the corners of the triangle to adhere the sticks to one another.
Keep layering chopsticks on top, and on the two sides you're actually going to taper in just the thickness of the wood. That way, the end will be the size of the opening for the birds.
Continue layering and tapering in, but on the bottom side of the triangle, don't taper. Just stack the chopsticks on top of one another, because that will end up being the floor for the birdhouse.
Continue until the tapered opening is about one inch and a half by one inch and a half.
What you've made so far will be one half of the birdhouse. Repeat the above to make the other half.
Match up the two units. Connect them by weaving string or wire up at the top, which you can also use to hang your birdhouse from a tree.
If you like, you can also put a pinecone inside the birdhouse laced with peanut butter and birdseeds, so it can be used as a bird feeder. Fini!

Source

Crave Worthy: Fong Recycled Chopsticks Lamp

CasaSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 05:15:45 -0700

Just the other day, I was struck by how wasteful it is to use chopsticks; for some reason, I had never thought about it before. So it's serendipitous that I just stumbled upon these Recycled Chopsticks Lamps ($42 to $46) on Apartment Therapy Green.

The line of nine lamps, including the dark-stained Fong Lamp (left), use post-consumer bamboo chopsticks to cast a unique glow. These lamps would look great not only in Asian-inspired decor but also in modern rooms. To see all nine lamps, read more

DIY: Teacup Candles

CasaSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0800

When I spotted these beautiful gold-trimmed antique tea cups at a flea market, I knew that I had to take them home. But how to use them? Instead of using them for a tea party, I decided to transform them into eco-friendly soy wax candles. Making them was super easy, and the most time-consuming part of the entire process was waiting for the layers of soy wax to dry. You can find all of the candle-making supplies at a craft store or candle/soapmaking supply store (such as Juniper Tree Supplies).

What You'll Need

antique, pretty teacups, with or without saucers
enough soy wax to more than fill each cup
essential oil for scent (I used Lily of the Valley)
wicks that equal your number of cups
double boiler
Pyrex cup or funnel
chopsticks or wooden skewers
stirring tool, such as a rubber scraper

To find out how to make it, read more.

Pour the soy wax into the double boiler. Let it simmer until the wax is clear liquid.
Center the wick in the bottom of each teacup. Put one chopstick or wooden skewer on either side of the wick, balanced on the rim of the teacup, to keep the wick centered.
Add a small amount of your scented oil to the melted soy wax. Mix with your rubber scraper, and then pour into your Pyrex measuring cup.
Pour the wax into the bottom of each teacup. If the wick gets a little off-center, you can reposition it before the wax sets. Let wax harden. Repeat this process until the cup is half full. Repeat a third and fourth time until the cup is full. You'll want to continue adding small amounts of the scented oil to make sure that the candle is scented throughout.
Wipe off any spills with a warm, wet rag.
Clip the top of the wick so it's about half an inch taller than the rim of the cup.
Light, and enjoy.

I've found that the simplest way to clean wax out of my double boiler and other utensils is by heating them, and then wiping them down with a paper towel. This makes the clean-up really quick and easy!

View 7 Photos ›

DIY: Teacup Candles

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:06:12 -0800

I spotted this project on Craft and thought it would be perfect for Renewal month. Give new purpose to mismatched teacups you have laying around or that you've found at yard sales by turning them into candles. You can use them in your own home or as a thoughtful DIY gift for your friends.

To get the supply list and learn the steps, read more.

Supplies:

Teacups
A big block of wax
A double boiler
A color agent (crayon will do) and scent, optional
Wicks
Chopsticks

Here's how:

Collect teacups.
Melt about 2 lbs. of wax at a time in your double boiler.
When the wax melts, add color and scent, if you want.
Pour about 1/2 of the wax into the cup.
Wait five minutes, then add the wicks and hold them in place between chopsticks laid across the cup.
After 45 minutes, pour in more melted wax.
Let dry, and voilà!

Source and more photos here.

Casa Verde: Plastic Bag Stand

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:30:01 -0700

Green designer Danny Seo always has great, simple ideas for greening your home. In
a recent post he writes that when he was thrifting at a local Goodwill, he saw a bunch of toothbrush holders, and immediately thought of using these as plastic bag dryers. All you have to do is stick wooden dowels or chopsticks in the holes where you'd normally stick your toothbrush, and then drape the bag over the stick.

Source