Isn’t it always a pain to throw away a sharp needle or pin? I am sure this is one reason why I don’t throw away bent pins. I keep sticking the bent ones back in the pin cushion, thinking I’ll deal with it later. Wouldn’t you know, the bent ones are the ones I keep pulling out to use. Another Murphy’s law I suppose. The crappy bent pin you don’t want is the one you will pull out first every time. It may also be a subconscious reason that I don’t change my sewing machine needles as often as I need to. I know many of you use mint containers, or other such things, but I never seem to have those around.
In the kitchen recently, I had emptied this can of black pepper into the pepper shaker when the size of the flip top opening made me stop and think. This was big enough to easily drop a pin or needle in. So, off I went to the crafting bench.
I dug around the spray paint and found this lavendar one, a great color for my sewing room. It goes nicely with my collection of tiny china decorated with violets. Two coats completely covered the tin.
Back inside, I got out a variety of things to decorate it.
I tied a lavendar and white braided cording around the tin and tied a bow.
Then I added a five petal flower, hot gluing it into place.
I put a second one on top of the first offset, and added a deep purple jewel to the center.
Rhinestones and butterfly stickers are added.
I put some butterflies on the sides, too.
Looks lovely on the shelf, and serves a purpose.
Next, I went back to the spice cabinet, and found a couple more containers that were almost empty. I have more cloves and paprika, so I washed these out.
This time I used yellow spray paint.
I wanted more of a sewing theme, so I found these buttons and trims.
I tied a cord around the tin, and hot glued the sewing maching and the needle on the front. Iridescent heart stickers were added to the front and sides.
Now I have two needle tins, and I don’t think I can fill these up in a lifetime of sewing. Next time I pull that bent pin, I’ll have a better place to put it.
Do you have an empty container to make your own discarded needle and pin minder?
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Great idea and so pretty to look it – happy sewing Carole 🙂
You are TOO crafty for words! I love these…can hardly wait to empty a spice container! They are so pretty. I love how your mind works!
That was a very clever idea! Thanks for sharing. I know what you mean about those pins. I always pull out the bent ones first! Looks like Murphy stays ahead of both of us!
I have found that the canisters that film rolls come in work perfectly and fit in my travelling tool box. Bit harder to find these days (had to ask at the local uni that has a photography department!) and yours are so much prettier!
Nice job, pins and needles will now have a home.
Hmmm…not so inventive or creative here…just use the empty prescription bottles and write sharps on them. When full, take to the safe disposal bin at the police station and dispose of the container there. In my case, I had pins from 30 years or more ago and some had little rough places on them. Finally went through and just tried every one and got rid of the ones that were corroded. (:))
Clever!
I use my husband’s empty prescription bottles. Always plentiful around here unfortunately. Of course, yours are lots prettier!
Great idea! Useful as well as beautiful. And recycled, too. I like how the top of the tin can accommodate all sizes of pin heads, like the flower ones. Maybe I can empty the pepper tin into all the china pepper shakers so I can get started…!!
I use a wine cork but this is so cute. Last week I threw out some old spice containers. Hope I missed one. Thanks
What a great idea! Going to do this. Thank you!
Love your pin containers. I use a prescription container (boring). I saw your printer tray and want to share what I did with mine. Added two cup hooks.
Oh my these are so much cuter than the plain spice bottle I use. I don’t find spices in cans like that anymore. (My daughters purged my cabinet of spices and tossed anything that looked “VINTAGE”). Now they come in plastic or glass bottles…..except I spy a can of OLD BAY Crab seasoning…..Honestly, these are too cute to throw away, and it does take a very long time to fill them up. I put my diabetic supplies in a pill bottle and when full into a big gallon jug, for disposal at the approved landfill, so I have been emptying my ” discarded sewing items” into it.
Fabulous idea!! Thanks!
What a great idea. I am going to to this ASAP. Mine will not be as pretty as yours though. LOL
So cute! And here I am with an old medicine bottle to hold used/bent needles and pins. Plus I keep it hidden in a drawer. I need to rethink my space. Thanks for all you creative craft ideas.
We must all do this. Will be looking for empty tins. Thanks.
Cool idea and these are so adorable-you could probably sell these on etsy if you could find more of these spice tins.
that happened to me while quilting last always grabbing the super bent pins-they went in the trash to be rid of them haha enjoy your day
Great idea, Carole!! They are really pretty. I use an empty pill bottle for needles and pins and a larger one in the Quilt Cave! Not nearly as pretty as yours, but very functional!! I may have to give this a try!
What a great idea. I use a short little round glass jar that was given to everyone at a quilt retreat once. Yes…hate bent needles…however I tend to break mine…..eeekk
What a great craft! Im looking forward to making one myself when my old bay runs out!
I love this! I use an old prescription bottle for broken needles, and, yes, I’ve gotten to the point I put some bent pins in there too.
That is such a great idea! I never would have thought of this. Thank you. Hugs,
Very clever and so pretty too.
I use my empty pill bottles. I can see through them so I know how full they are and I don’t accidentally stab myself trying to push another pin or needle in them. I use a separate one for pins, one for needles (because they may be longer than the pins) and one for lancets and test strips. I use ones with a screw on cap so they don’t accidentally come open when thrown in the garbage.
Love what you did with the spice container! You get an A+ for repurposing! Now I have an incentive to clean out my spice area! What a super idea!
Great idea, Carole! I keep my old needles for paper piecing . . . but one can only use/save so many for that task. You’ve decorated them so nicely! I’m going to keep this idea as one to copy. Thank you so much. ~smile~ Roseanne
Really cute and clever! All my spices come in glass or plastic jars. I will have to buy pepper next time in a can!
This is absolutely perfect. Flip of a finger and in they go. We also say a little “Thank you for your service” to them. I also use the medicine bottles but it takes 2 hands, and with one hand holding the parts of broken needles, I’m one hand short. Thanks. j
Your needle and pin minders are very pretty. I’ve used a flip top RX container for pins and needles for several years and it’s still not full yet, and I do dump those bent pins to save my sanity. LOL I recently ran into a 50 percent off on a pkg. of flat head pins to replace those bent ones. Yay!
What pretty containers you have! I use a tube the tiny M & M’s came in, so mine would blend beautifully in a homeless camp. Yours are just great!!
What a brilliant and pretty way to recycled old spice canisters, etc. I love this and will be saving my pepper canister when it is done 🙂
Your altered spice cans are so pretty! Functional yet snazzy. 🙂
I’ve been using a small glass milk bottle with a rubber lid. I cut a small “X” in the lid and just have to push my broken needles through the center of the X and it closes back up again so the needles stay safely inside. No need to even flip open the lid!
Great idea!
That’s a fun idea! I could really use something like that. I bet I do have an empty spice container that would work – will have to go look!
Great recycling project Carole, and you solved an age old problem at the same time!
Cute idea!
How innovative!
What an excellent idea; repurposing spice containers and decorating to reuse as a dispenser for those broken needles and pins. Thanks for sharing!
Been using the pepper can for years. Actually have several around the room.
What a great idea, Carole. I tend to stick used/broken needles and pins back in the pincushion as well. I have the ideal tin to use for this. It originally contained pastilles but I kept the tin because it was pretty. I’m so pleased I’ve now got a use for it.
A great safety idea.Thanks.
Your tins look pretty! I use a Parmesan cheese container, the dry stuff in a plastic container. The lid has little holes fir pins in one side and a large semicircle hole on the other. My rotary blades go in the container as well as the pins. Not as pretty as your but very functional. I suppose I could dress it up…….
Pretty and practical…..great idea.
Hello Carole, These turned out so pretty and of course, an excellent idea! Like many other people have stated, I also use an empty pill bottle. Your idea is such a lovely and fun way to reuse a tin that I will have to see what I can come up with to decorate some. Thank you for sharing a great idea and have a wonderful evening.
Smart idea! I usually look for a used tissue in the trash to poke my needle or pin into, but this is much less gross!!!!! I don’t have spray paint but I bet I could use mod podge and cover the tin with a pretty fabric scrap. Next time I empty a container like this, I’ll snatch the container. I think I might need to start using more pepper so I can get an empty tin!