What are some crafty uses for empty ink pens?

1. 84

   M. T. Dremerposted 8 years ago

   What are some crafty uses for empty ink pens?
   
   I feel guilty throwing away empty ink pens, but I haven't discovered a sensible re-purposing option for them either. I used one once to make a paper rose, but other than that, I'm clueless.

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2. 61

   Cerulean Crayonposted 8 years ago

   I took this as a brainstorm challenge. I thought first of a home melt-down apparatus to get plastic and make something else from a mold. Then I thought of something they could be inside of, like a milk jug with a screw lid, that can be shaken to make a noise. This could alert an animal who is misbehaving, get the attention of a small child, or provide percussion at open mic night.
   If soil is loose enough, it can be used to make a hole for seeds.
   It can be a stir stick for hair color or a small container of craft paint.
   Alternating white and red tape in a spiral would make a candy-cane decoration (for straight Bic pens).
   
   I guess that's it for now.

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3. 84

   tsmogposted 8 years ago

   With first aid they teach you it can be used for a tracheostomy. That is an extreme use I hope  not to have to use, however I remember being taught. Of course that is causing an ink pen to become empty.
   
   It can be used to connect plastic tubing to plastic tubing as a connector. That offers the ability to affix it to something and not squash the tubing. I did that with lines to my aquarium with the air pump once.
   
   Another emergency use is when a vacuum line on an automobile is discovered to be severed or leaking it can 'patch' the line until it can be replaced properly.
   
   If you bind them together they can be used to fill an empty space. I tend to do that with a desk drawer I have for organizational purposes.
   
   I sometimes use an empty pen as a pacifier. I am smoker, so I will use the empty pen as a substitute for a cigarette for the behavior craving where smoking is inappropriate like working in an office. It helps with moments of anxiousness.
   
   I will ponder more . . .

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4. 81

   peachpurpleposted 8 years ago

   made them into pencil holder. Glut the pens around the toilet paper rolls and paint them

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5. 89

   MizBejabbersposted 8 years ago

   I assume you are talking about the stick pens that are not retractable. We sometimes use them for stirrers, especially if Mr. B is cooking up some "lethal" concoction, like a mixture to be used on his plants. They can be stuck into pots or the ground to hold tags to identify the plants. Or you could color code the plants and not use tags, for instance, red for peppers, blue for carrots, etc.
   
   If someone in your family has long hair, you could make hair ornaments that stick into updos or chignons. Just glue the ornament onto the pen and stick the pen through the bun or hair wrap.
   
   Glue them onto bulletin boards or other decorations for a child's room or for your own writing room.
   
   A lot of the retractable ones are refillable, but some may take specialty refills which you can find at an office supply store (not a discount store). I have several cheap ones or freebies that I refill simply because I like them.

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6. 86

   Sylvia Leongposted 8 years ago

   M. T. Dremer, I hear you loud & clear! I’ve come to the point where I feel guilty about throwing anything in the garbage.  From what I’ve heard about plastic: it doesn’t break down, but it breaks apart eventually into the tiniest pieces, gets into the ground water & makes its way to the ocean. The ocean is chock full of plastic, animals eat it & eventually it makes it’s way into our food.  You can read more about it here > http://ecowatch.com/2014/04/07/22-facts … -about-it/
   With the earth’s population being at 7,316,210, 000 & counting, there are many pens being thrown away! So while it’s great to try to find something to do with your empties, it would be even greater to stop buying them altogether.
   A quick Google search on came up with: refillable fountain pens. It’s one possible answer. At least the ink jar is glass, although it looks as though the cap is still plastic. Sigh… we have so far to go. ☹

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