Repurpose: A new spin on old compact discs ...

I'm old enough to remember the move from vinyl-as-standard to CD. It was a wrench and the general feel (in South Africa, anyway) was that there was no way it was really going to happen. It felt like the end of the world in some weird way. And then that world did, in fact, end and we all survived the change. Having said that, the "mix tape" stuck around for a while. People hung on to their tape players and "walkmen", perhaps because the "portable CD player" was, ummmm... not so portable. Now digital music is our norm and perhaps you're sitting on a pile of CDs you never play. Or computer discs you no longer use? You know, the ones you once used to back up your college papers once upon a time?! Anyway, here are 22+ fun ways to repurpose those dust-collecting discs:

1. Outdoor lanterns 

2. Make musical flowers

3. Junk garden owl

4. Roof shingles

To get the really interesting effect you see in some of this jewelry, you have to heat the pieces of disc. I've linked to various posts below that step you through different techniques:

1. Break and bake necklace (extra tutorials/advice re. heating here and here)

2. Jewel-like bracelet

3. Rings n' things

4. Fun bracelet from The Fashion Thing

When I saved this image, I titled it "Compact Disc-o!" ...

1. Make a mirror ball

2. Glam collar

3. Fab, fab shoes!

1. Big wall clock 

2. The Instructables "musicless" clock

3. Small and sweet

1. CD stacked table lamp

2. The Instructables version of the table lamp

3. A wreath with some natural shine

1. CD iPhone stand

2. CD mural

3. Use old CDs as shower curtain rings

I've seen CDs used as burners on play kitchens many times ... but this lovely conversion is new to me!

And to wrap up, what about the cases?  Head to Brit Co for a collection of ideas