15 Uses for Old Pens

A few months ago, ReadyMade Magazine issued a challenge to its readers to come up with new uses for old pens. The winning project, Dead Pen Cutlery, is featured in the most recent issue.

I confess, I have a stash of old pens I can't bring myself to toss. Many aren't even dead, I just can't bring myself to use them because, alas, I'm a pen snob. However, although I think using pens as cutlery handles is pretty clever, I really don't need (or frankly want) to.

So I scoured the blogosphere for other ideas for giving old pens a second chance at life. Check out the findings:

My favorite of the ReadyMade runner-ups - turn old pens into garden labels (scroll down to see)

Chrisjob over at Curbly has 2 nifty projects made from old pens - a DIY sprinkler (also a ReadyMade runner-up), and a sewing caddy

From the DIY Network, turn your old pen into a bead holder, Pen Pal Doll, or a (fake) floral centerpiece.

While you're at it, check out this craftster's take on the centerpiece idea - table number holders made from old pens. (I see a pen-themed wedding here)


Bust out that polymer clay and turn your pen into a dachshund, moose, snowman, or reindeer (from DIY Network/HGTV)

I'm not quite sure how they did it, but some folks somewhere in Europe made a ballpoint pen chandelier. via Curbly.

Re-live your rebellious high school years with a Pen Spike Bracelet from Craftster.

From 88 bytes.com, how to turn an old pen into an easy-grip stylus for your PDA.

Instructables offers this tutorial for a money safe made from an old pen - try this one at your own risk. (via LifeHacker)

Any other old pen projects you' d like to share?