A couple of days ago, I finished the last piece of gum from one of those 60-count gum bottles that fit perfectly in your car’s cupholder. As my hand started to toss it into the trash, the crafty side of my brain yelled, “Stop!” This little container was too perfect to throw away.
Now, I don’t know if all varieties of gum bottles are like this, but for the Wrigley’s Doublemint bottle that I had, the label peeled right off leaving nothing but a plain white container with a clear lid that provided a huge opening.
This big lid makes it perfect for storing small items like buttons and beads. Gosh, you could put just about anything in here to organize your craft stash! Embellishments, photo corners, paperclips, or anything tiny that needs a way to be organized.
But my favorite part about the gum bottle is the little opening on the other side. Watch what happens when I fill the bottle with glitter.
The little lid makes a perfect shaker opening on one side, and it’s easy to pour the excess glitter back in through the big lid on the other side!
I love these little bottles so much that I'm tempted to take up gum-chewing full time so that I can have more containers. Can you guys think of other items to store in them? Share your ideas in the comments!
11 comments so far:
MY CO WORKERS HAVE BEEN SAVING THESE FOR ME. I ALSO COULD SEE USING THEM FOR SOME CRAFT BUT HAD NOT FOUND ONE YET. THESE ARE SOME GOOD IDEAS.
I broke my safety pin container the last time I was tying a quilt… I had just finished my pack of gum and now that’s where my safety pins live!
Perfect solution, Mercedes!
LOVE, LOVE THIS IDEA, NOW I’M OFF TO BUY CHEWING GUM…..:)
I use them for change, for pins, for pretty much any small thing that needs to be corralled. I have a couple in my desk at work – rubber bands, paper clips, all the little stuff that ends up being clutter. They’re awesome.
My daughter uses one to train her puppy. She put some coins in it and shakes it when he gets close to something he’s not supposed to.
Jan, I love the puppy training idea!
I so love this frugal idea & I will be using it soon!
Great idea. I have one that is almost empty in my purse and now I will have some GREAT ideas on what to do with it!
Aloha from Hawaii ! April 30, 2012
Love your solution for the gum container. I don’t usually chew gum, but started doing so because I read somewhere that chewing gum stimulates the brain in regard to memory. I am always looking for ideas to repurpose or reuse whatever container is left after enjoying the contents.
Here is an idea for your followers who have to count paper items (like money), or have to pack groceries and have plastic bags to open. I’ve seen where they have waded-up paper towels soaked with water. (Really makes your finger tips dry!)
Instead of using those purchased “Tacky Finger” products, you can make your own using liquid glycerine, purchased from the drug stores or hardware stores.
Fold to fit, then saturate any type of durable cloth or material, and place in something like a small “Altoid” type metal container. A small bottle lasts forever and the up-side is that it keeps your finger tips supple.
That’s a great tip, Susan. Thanks so much for sharing!
I like glitters!!
hey! I make christmas decor my mother say she so like my creations