New Use for an Old Ashtray

I really enjoy upcycling. You can take almost anything and give it new life as something new and useful. It also satisfies my need to be as green as possible. Recycle, reduce, and reuse! Well, today we are going to turn an old ashtray into a magnetic pin holder.

                Now, I am a huge Disney fan. I knew I had to do something with this little ashtray. It would have been more perfect if it was from Disney World, we worked there as part of the college program a couple times, but that’s ok. I don’t smoke and don’t plan to start so I chose to turn it into something that I could use in my sewing room.

                What I did was take a 3/4” circular magnet and attach it to the bottom of the ashtray. I centered mine because of the size and shape of my tray. You can use whatever shape or size you wish. If you want to use multiple magnets for larger plates, you absolutely can. Hot glue works wonderfully to attach the magnet. E6000 or super glue would work as well.

                The ashtray had a completely flat bottom and I did not like that it was sitting on the magnet. It wobbled and would have driven me nuts. To fix it, I made little bumpers with hot glue. At 3 points around the outer edge, I put a dollop of glue. Make sure that they are all the same size and let it cool almost totally. Just before they are completely cool, set it down on a flat surface to even the points out. I do not let it set during this step. Just a quick check on a table, and then flip it upside down again, will be enough. You don’t want it to stick to the table. If you don’t want to use hot glue, you can use bumpons. They are made to keep frames from slipping and scuffing your walls. They are adhesive and will give enough space for most magnets. Another thing to keep in mind is that the bumpons will work best on a flat surface. Either way, the bumpers will keep the tray from wobbling as well as help it grip the work surface.

                That’s it! You now have a magnetic dish for your pins. It works well to keep your pins in one place and will help if you drop one. I have carpet in my sewing room and it is hard to see the pins I drop. Magnets are your very best friends in that situation. I have made a couple of these, one for my cutting table and one to keep by my machines. As always, there are no wrong answers so have fun with them and happy crafting!

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