Stop throwing out those old used and broken guitar strings and make them into something artistic and useful. With a few tools and some inexpensive supplies you will be able to create gifts, toys and decorations from your old strings. Use these ideas to recycle your music waste into crafts that show your musical taste.
Bracelet
A guitar string bracelet will make good use of old strings and let everyone know that you play guitar. Wrap six strings into a loop as they originally came in the package. Carefully insert your wrist into the loop and cinch it down snuggly around your wrist. The bracelet will remain flexible when you are finished so you will still be able to put it on and take it off. Use a marker to make a line at the beginning of the excess strings. Remove your wrist and snip the strings to size with wire cutters. Reform the loop and use a steel wire lead as a housing for both ends of the strings. Firmly crimp the wire lead at either end with needle nose pliers. Use small dots of silver solder to secure both ends of the wire lead closure. Wait at least two minutes for everything to cool down before wearing your new bracelet.
Cat Toy
Tease your cat or small pet with a bouncing object attached to the end of an old guitar string. For this craft you will want to use one of the heavier gauge wrapped guitar strings and a small lightweight toy. Attach the toy securely to one end of the guitar string with a hot glue gun. Add a couple other items of interest for your pet by gluing feathers or small pieces of yarn onto the toy end. To create a handle for the other end, use duct tape to secure a stick leftover from a frozen dessert treat to the opposite end of the guitar string. Cover both ends of the string to make sure nothing sharp will poke you or your pet during play. You and your cat will have hours of fun with the unpredictable way that the string will move and wiggle the toy.
Centerpiece
A centerpiece made of recycled guitar parts will make your meals rock. You will need about 30 old guitar strings, 10 guitar picks, an old compact disc, a cork and a hot glue gun. Cut the guitar strings to varying lengths between 12 and 18 inches long. Stick these newly cut ends into the rounded side of a cork, starting in the center and moving out. When one side of the cork is full of strings, attach the flat side to an old scratched compact disc. While this base is drying, glue sets of two guitar picks into the shape of butterflies. Affix dried guitar pick butterflies to the ends of some strings and use needle nose pliers to bend other strings for a whimsical appearance.
