Old Tools, New Tricks

Learn how to take old tools and turn them into beautiful new tricks!

 

A homemade picture stand, as seen on Food Network's The Kitchen.

A homemade picture stand, as seen on Food Network's The Kitchen.

Photo by: David Katz, David Katz

David Katz, David Katz

Vintage Fork Recipe Card Holder

What you'll need:

  • Round edge pliers
  • Vintage fork (with large, decorative handle)
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Recipe card (or picture)

How to:

  1. Using round edge pliers, fold the 2 outside prongs of the fork towards the back of the fork.
  2. Fold the 2 middle prongs towards the front of the fork.
  3. Use needle nose pliers to wing out the ends of the back prongs for stability (maneuver until stable).
  4. Curl the tips of the forward-facing prongs.
  5. Use to display a recipe card or picture.

Paper Towel Napkin Rings

What you'll need:

  • Paper towel tubes
  • Serrated knife (or scissors)
  • Large twine
  • Cloth napkins
  • Variety of flowers

How to:

  1. Cut the paper towel tubes into 2- to 3-inch-wide rings with a serrated knife (or scissors)
  2. Cut pieces of twine long enough to wrap around each ring (cut more than you think you need!).
  3. Wind the twine around each ring until covered (the twine will wrap around itself and secure on its own).
  4. Loop the twine through the inside of each ring to secure, then cut off the excess.
  5. Roll the napkins and secure each with a ring.
  6. Place a flower through the outside of the twine to decorate.

Water Bottle Bird Feeder

What you'll need:

  • Marker
  • Clear plastic water bottle (empty and label removed)
  • 2 old wooden spoons
  • Sharp-edged knife
  • Glue gun
  • Birdseed
  • Funnel
  • Twine (or string to hang with)

How To:

  1. Trace 4 holes on the bottle with the marker, using the bottom of one of the wooden spoons as a guide. Make sure holes are directly across from each other (2 on top and 2 on bottom).
  2. Cut out the holes with a sharp-edged knife.
  3. Slide the wooden spoons all the way through the holes.
  4. Use a glue gun to glue the spoons to the bottle to secure.
  5. Fill the bottle with birdseed using the funnel.
  6. Use twine to hang the bottle around a tree branch.

Next Up

Winter Lodge: Old Tools New Tricks

A cold winter day is the perfect time to get organized after the holidays! 

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