Reuse Ideas for Coffee Cups, Sleeves and Stirrers

8. Wear coffee stirrer jewelry

Photo: Erica Domesek/P.S.- I made this...

Leave it to a Manhattan-based crafter to use coffee shop leftovers to create a stylish piece of fashion. Dreamed up by P.S.- I made this… blogger Erica Domesek, this chic statement necklace is made entirely from plastic coffee stirrers, thread and a scrap of ribbon.

Inspired by a collaborative collection from Marc Jacobs and ’80s fashion icon Maripol, this trend-setting piece is sure to turn heads – whether you live in the big city or a small town. Create an inverted triangle like Domesek’s, or try another shape for the look that suits you best.

Save on Style: DIY vs. Splurge: Accessories

9. Try trashy photography

As all amateur photographers know, camera equipment can get expensive. Save a few of your hard-earned dollars and craft your own useful piece of gear for next to nothing.

As an entry for last year’s Coffee Cup Challenge, Belgian Instructables member bertus52x11 dreamed up this super-simple tutorial for a DIY lens hood (commonly used to protect the camera lens from light and increase saturation) made from nothing but an old coffee cup, a rubber band and a paper clip.

Craft one for your compact camera or your fancy-schmancy DSLR for professional results without the heavy price tag. Starving artists rejoice!

Related: 8 Ways to Green Your Photography

Photo: Leigh-Ann Keffer/Freckled Nest

10. Adorn a clock with coffee stirrers

Starburst home decor is trending in modern homes and apartments from coast to coast. But these picks can be pricey at most home decor chains.

Ditch the added expense and create a starburst-style clock on the cheap using this detailed tutorial from Freckled Nest blogger Leigh-Ann Keffer.

Purchase a set of clockworks from a local crafts store to make the whole thing yourself, or use a thrifted clock with no dimension as a base for your spunky focal point.

You’ll need a pretty sizeable handful of stirrers to complete this project. So, you may want to ask friends and co-workers to stockpile their stirrers for a few weeks before getting started.

Tip: To ditch this waste product entirely, just give your cup o’ Joe a quick stir with a spoon. We promise, it works just the same.

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Homepage Image: E.C. Campbell Photography