Cardboard egg cartons are useful little containers that are good for more than just holding eggs. The individual pockets can be used in countless creative ways in the kitchen and elsewhere throughout the home. Unless you sell eggs or host crafts classes, they cannot all be used. Recycle some and keep as many as needed for crafts, gardening and more. You will be surprised by the many practical and creative uses.
Start Seeds in Cardboard Egg Cartons
Cardboard egg cartons make it unnecessary to buy peat pots for starting seeds. Simply fill each section with rich organic soil, and plant seeds of your choice according to packet directions. Keep the cartons open in a warm sunny location, and keep the soil moist. Once seeds have sprouted, place the containers outside to toughen the stems. Cut apart the compartments using utility scissors, and plant the seedlings in the ground along with the holders. They will naturally break down in the soil, and with proper care they will grow and thrive.
Create Painted and Decorated Jewelry Holders
Jewelry boxes come in all price ranges, but most have one thing in common. They do not have enough compartments to keep jewelry properly separated. Create painted and decorated jewelry holders using cardboard egg cartons. If desired, cut away the tops, and spray paint the bottom sections in colors of your choice. They are ideal for holding necklaces, earrings and other pieces of jewelry that either become separated or tangled in storage. The individual cups can be lined with velvet or felt for more elaborate jewelry holders.
Sort Beads for Crafting
A box with separate compartments is a must for beading, jewelry making and other crafts with beads. A clear container is ideal, but it is not necessary since the lid must be opened to find and use the contents. Use cardboard egg cartons instead. They are ideal for larger beads. The contents will remain organized, the containers can be stacked when not in use, and the beads that you want will be easy to find.
Make Drawer Organizers
Drawer organizers can be quite expensive, but not if they are made from repurposed containers. Cardboard egg cartons make fantastic drawer organizers for a home office, a craft room, the bedroom and more. They are perfect for holding small items including paper clips, erasers, washers, screws, small batteries and anything else that will fit. As previously mentioned, the holders can be spray painted and decorated in creative ways.
Collection Holders
Do you have a collection of polished stones, shells or other small items? Use cardboard egg cartons to store and display them. If using the cartons for display, spray paint them in a color that will highlight the items. For example, light colored gemstones look fantastic against a dark blue or black background. In any case, the price is right, and you will make use of something that would have ended up in the recycling bin or the trash.
Source: Green Living and Crafting Experience
