Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Review: The Sparkle Factory by Tarina Tarantino and Halloween Bling I made with Prima Beads

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If you like making fun and pretty jewelry and experimenting with all sorts of jewelry making techniques you will love The Sparkle Factory: The Design and Craft of  Tarina’s Fashion Jewelry and Accessories.

This book is packed with great stepped out tutorials for making all different types of jewelry, everything from stringing and wirework to casting and of course recycled elements. The styling is beyond cool and the designs are to-die-for! I was inspired buy so many of the projects in The Sparkle Factory I was instantly digging through my stash to find bits to make some new pieces of jewelry. With Halloween just around the corner I thought I’d start there.

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This page from The Sparkle Factory was my inspiration. It features lots of bracelets layered and mixed together (one of my favorite looks!)

I made 3 bracelets with Prima Jewelry Basics black glass beads and two skull beads from the stash.

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When wrapped together they make a super-wide cuff!

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I also have a little tip for you. To get the 2 skulls in the center of the memory wire I made a small make in the center of the wire before I started stringing the beads onto the wire. This way when I got close to the mark I new to put the skulls on. Memory wire stretches out a bit when the beads go on.

More about from the publisher Running Press

The Sparkle Factory: The Design and Craft of  Tarina’s Fashion Jewelry and Accessories

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Tarina Tarantino

“Tarina Tarantino’s love affair with fashion jewelry and accessories began when she was just a little girl. Tarina now owns and operates her famous global jewelry, accessories, and cosmetics brand, TARINA TARANTINO, out of her international headquarters in downtown Los Angeles, The Sparkle Factory. In her first book, Tarina invites you into her world to learn how to make and wear beautiful and inspirational fashion jewelry. Fashionistas, aspiring jewelry designers, and DIY lovers will learn how to make 20 of Tarina’s most essential pieces including statement earrings, cocktail rings, hair jewelry, stretch cuff bracelets, embellished spectacles, and more. Fans of Tarina will also learn about her brand history, getting inspired, creating themes and stories, sourcing materials, essential tools and techniques, how to wear and style your jewelry wardrobe, and more. The text is complemented by tips and hundreds of full-color photos throughout.”

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30 Brilliant Uses for Empty Pill Bottles You Probably Haven’t Tried Yet

Creative and Practical Ways to Reuse Pill Bottles Around the Home

Let’s be honest—those little orange pill bottles multiply like rabbits in the back of the medicine cabinet. And if you’re anything like me, tossing them feels wasteful. They’re sturdy, compact, and practically begging to be reused. So rather than sending them to landfill purgatory, let’s put them to good use!

Here are 30 clever, crafty, and completely practical ways to reuse pill bottles—from home hacks to travel tips and even a few creative craft ideas your grandkids will love.

Home Organization Hacks

  1. Spare change stash
     Pop it in your car’s cup holder, and you’ll never be caught short for a parking meter again.
  2. Emergency sewing kit
     A couple of needles, thread, tiny scissors, and a spare button fit perfectly.
  3. Tiny hardware holder
     Nails, screws, washers—no more rummaging through random tins in the garage.
  4. Safety pin storage
     Stop chasing scattered pins in the bottom of your junk drawer.
  5. Toothpick travel case
     Because no one wants loose toothpicks rolling around in their handbag.
  6. Matches + striking strip
     Glue a match striker to the lid and toss it in your camping kit.
  7. Mini first-aid kit
     Band-aids, alcohol wipes, and a few painkillers—all in one waterproof spot.
  8. USB or SD card holder
     Label the lid and keep your data safe and dry.

Craft & DIY Ideas

  1. Bead storage
     Perfect for sorting small amounts by color or type.
  2. Glitter containment
     Finally, a way to store glitter without it taking over your whole craft drawer.
  3. DIY travel paint pots
     A little dab of acrylic in each bottle = no mess on the go.
  4. Mini crayon case
     Snap a few crayons in half and toss them in for road trip fun.
  5. Yarn needle case
     Stop losing your large eye needles in the couch cushions!
  6. Button collector
     Keep vintage buttons or those extras from clothing tags neatly sorted.
  7. DIY air freshener
     Punch holes in the lid, fill with baking soda and essential oils, and tuck into smelly corners.

Gardening & Outdoors

  1. Seed storage
     Keep heirloom seeds labeled and moisture-free between seasons.
  2. DIY watering scoop
     Cut the bottom off and use it to water seedlings gently.
  3. Slug bait traps
     Fill with beer, bury level with soil. Say goodbye to slug-munched lettuce.
  4. Travel spice holder
     Take your garden herbs camping with labeled, sealed bottles.

Travel & Purse Essentials

  1. Earbud holder
     No more tangled cords in the bottom of your handbag.
  2. Travel pill sorter
     Instead of dragging the whole cabinet, portion out what you need.
  3. Hair ties and bobby pins
     A small bottle keeps these sneaky little things together.
  4. Lotion or sunscreen decanter
     Much cheaper (and smaller) than travel bottles from the store.
  5. Jewelry protection
     Pop your rings or earrings in a cotton-padded bottle while swimming or traveling.
  6. Breath mint container
     No more rattling Tic Tac boxes—just sleek and quiet.

Kids, Pets, & Emergency Prep

  1. Pet treats
     Handy for walks or training sessions. Clip to your keychain or leash.
  2. DIY “I’m bored” game pieces
     Write fun challenges on slips of paper and store them for school holidays.
  3. Mini flashlight storage
     Tuck in a tiny torch and a few batteries—great for glove compartments or emergency kits.
  4. Tooth fairy bank
     My kids used to leave the tooth and the bottle under the pillow. Easier for the fairy to find!
  5. Message in a bottle
     Classic beach day fun. Bonus points for sealing it with wax.

A Quick Safety Note

If you’re using old prescription bottles, make sure to remove or cover the label completely—personal info should stay your business. And give each bottle a good wash before repurposing.

There’s something deeply satisfying about finding new life for old things. It’s frugal, clever, and let’s be honest—there’s a certain joy in telling someone, “Oh this? It’s just a pill bottle I upcycled.”

Have you found a genius way to reuse pill bottles? Share it in the comments or tag us @CraftGossip on Pinterest or Facebook—we’d love to see your ideas!