Tin Clocks by Jen's World!
Re-Creative by Steve Dodds seeks to introduce you to ways to re-use and re-purpose materials in order to create items that “function well, are pleasing to the eye, well-crafted, and pleasurable to have around. ” In his Getting Started section, he invokes Shaker and Modern Design ideas as sources of inspiration and discusses how to design with recycled items. He suggests using unorthodox materials to create everyday items, such as stationary, and celebrating a found object by placing it in unexpected surroundings. From there, Dodds launches into his projects. Each project includes a list enumerating the time and skill involved as well as the materials and tools required.
For this meeting, Jennifer of Jen’s World reworked her grandparents’ novelty tins into wonderful keepsake clocks. She commented:
The book had some clever ideas but out of 50 projects there were only one or two projects that were appealing to me. There are great pictures and I like the lists of supplies that they give you in the beginning. It is always disheartening to find out half way through a projects that you don’t have the equipment necessary to complete it. I also love the idea of using found items for home decor. But you know me, I love a good deal. Free being the best deal of all!
Julia of M.O.M - Mother of Michael found:
Like Jen, I only found a few projects I was interested in. Since Jen beat me to the finish with the tin clocks, I put together a plastic bag dispenser using one of my dish towels. The instructions were clear, although I have to admit, I didn’t follow them.
I think my lack of woodworking skills was one of the reasons that there weren’t that many projects I felt able to replicate. The thought of cutting wood and drilling holes intimidates me to no end. However, if you don’t have that hang-up, there are some wonderful ideas in Re-Creative like a window sash bookcase and a drop-front cabinet night stand.
The book concludes with a description of some techniques like drilling holes, clamping, and cutting various materials. The technique descriptions strike me as too basic for the experienced woodworker and not sufficiently explanatory to make a phobic crafter like me feel comfortable with a power tool.
At the end of the book is a list of online resources. The American Science and Surplus store is the most interesting. Their front page currently offers mood pendants, a hamster wheel, DIY lab slides, an organizer, a pull chain switch, promo pencils, and a Sharp speaker. You could write a whole blog entry just about this company.
If you have made anything out of Re-Creative, share your experience in the comment section. The next book club will meet on May 6th to discuss Sew Darn Cute by Jenny Ryan.
Those tin clocks are adorable! Hum…That gives me an idea. Maybe I can turn some altoid tins into mini clocks. I must investigate!
Like you, I wasn’t that thrilled with many of these projects. I don’t need any more clocks (let’s face it, clutter created with recycled materials is still clutter). That just left me with the plastic bag holder (but I recycle mine at the grocery store each week) and the tie pillow. The dude and I are going to winnow his tie collection this weekend. We’ll see–I’ve seen many ways to use ties. I thought this book was just fair. Glad I got it from the library.
I think the altoid tin clocks would be adorable. I would love to see them if you decide to do them.