Many eyeglass wearers have switched from the former hard-shell eyeglass cases to the soft-sided types, but if you’re one of them, don’t throw away those old hard-shell cases. There’s lots of things you can do with them.
One great project that’s easy and quick is to make a calculator and pen set. Purchase a slim-line calculator and nice pen to start. Use a piece of satin ribbon to make a loop inside the case which will hold the pen beside the calculator. Now you can keep up with them in your purse much easier than before.
Another project you can make from an old hard-shell eyeglass case is a pill holder. For those that take daily medications this is ideal for travel. Purchase tiny plastic containers with snap-on lids and glue 7 of them in the case. Or, use small zipper bags to hold each day’s medications and make elastic loops that will hold each bag. Now you can snap the case shut and drop the medicine down in your purse or travel bag. You won’t have to worry about them getting spilled, crushed, or otherwise damaged.
The glasses cases are great for a child that’s starting a coin collection. He can separate the coins into years and place them in eyeglass cases which have been labeled with the coinciding year. The child can keep up with the coins until he gets the proper books to place them in, and the coins are protected in the meanwhile.
The hard-shell cases are perfect for gift giving. They can be decorated using decoupage or just fabric glued onto the outside shell. They can contain watches, gift cards or gift certificates, or a special poem or keepsake.
Little girls can keep better track of their tiny doll accessories by placing them in the hard-shell eyeglass cases. Have one decorated and labeled “shoes”, one for “socks and hosiery”, and so on.
If you have grand kids or small children the eyeglass cases are perfect at the desk. Keep little ones from getting into things like stamps, tacks, beads, or other things they needn’t have simply by storing them in the hard-shell cases.
Make a ring holder by gluing a piece of foam or sponge into the bottom section of the hinged case. Cut slits in the foam to hold various rings. Or, glue small cardboard pieces across the bottom of the case, to form sections, which can then hold bracelets, necklaces and more.
Crafters can use the eyeglass cases in many different ways. Store sequin, small pins, jewelry-making hardware, beads, buttons, assorted pens, and much, much more. Just paint or cover in fabric, then label the cases accordingly.
Make travel games with the eyeglass cases. Purchase magnetic sheets which can be cut to any size, and have the adhesive backing. Cut a piece of cardboard to fit the bottom of the eyeglass case, then attach the magnetic sheeting to the top of the board. Print out board game images and shrink to fit. Affix the game boards to the top side of the magnetic sheet. Cut shapes from magazines and affix the paper image to the magnetic sheeting to make the markers and other game pieces. Store all the pieces in the snap-tight case when not using. There are many uses for hard-shell eyeglass cases, so think twice before throwing them away.
Reference:
- Purchase magnetic sheets: www.joann.com
