Do you have a stack of floppy disks hanging around with no use for them? Wondering if you could ever find a use for those old cards? There's plenty of projects to get started on!
Back at college, I joined this group called "Women in Computing" and for our first meeting, we got together and took apart some old floppy disks. Little did I know, we were making earrings! Yes, actual wearable earrings! Things you'll need:
2 Floppy disks
2 V-Rings (Or large jump rings)
2 Jump Rings
2 Earring Wires
Pliers
You can actually get the bits from your local craft stores such as Michael's, AC Moore, Joanne Fabrics, and much more. I'd hit up your local shops first to support small businesses. They probably don't sell them in single or double pieces, so don't worry too much if you buy a whole box. Chances are we'll find another idea to use them with.
Start out by taking apart your floppy disks. We'll want to get at the small, circular bit in the center. Crack them open, cut them, however you want to do it, just try not to break the small piece in the middle. Once you have your circle, look for the hole shaped like a square by the end. We'll grab our V-Ring and hook it in there. Feel free to use your pliers and maneuver the metal and bend it so that it fits. Next, take your jump ring and put it on the v-ring. This will take some more bending with your pliers, but it shouldn't be too difficult. Keep it open so that you can attach the earring wire. Lastly, take your earring wire. Attach it to the jump ring and close the jump ring.
Your final project is going to look similar to this:
Ta-da! You're all done and you've got yourself a set of floppy disk earrings! Congratulations! Feel free to throw away your destroyed plastic of the floppy disk if you wish.
If you have other floppy disks that are still in tact, then here's a list of projects that you can also do, no matter what size you have:
Great for the kids! Help keep the desks clean by creating a fun, unique way for them to put away their pens, pencils, markers, and other craft supplies. The picture shown below involves drilling through the plastic and tying the holes together or using zip-ties. While this is simple and effective, it can also be a hassle. If you would prefer to glue or tape it together, then have at it!
This works especially if you have some of the older disks, because they're much larger than your "modern" 3.5" floppy. The inside can be sealed together with various techniques: Loctite or even duct tape. Loctite is especially built for plastics, so if you feel comfortable using it, I suggest you do so. It'll take some time for this one, but it'll be worth it. You'll start off sealing your floppy disk ends to one another, starting with the sides. The bottom will be a glue along all four ridges, then pressed up to the bottom of your other four disks, and held in place until the glue is dry. Once it's nice and dry, feel free to fill it with soil and a plant of your choice! I would recommend keeping it small, so something like a small desert cactus or a herb or small flowers would be the best choice. Ask your local grower for suggestions as to what you can keep in a small pot.
What about coasters? Over here gives information on how to recycle your old mouse-pads and floppy disks to make coasters for your drinks around the house! If you don't have a mouse-pad, then foam or cardboard does the same thing. If you don't have rubber cement, something like Loctite or super glue can also work. Feel free to paint or decorate your coaster however you want!
All images were taken from Google images. I do not own any of the pictures shown above.
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