If you're like most packrats, you probably have a collection of empty water bottles and CD jewel cases collecting dust in your room somewhere. Too afraid to part with them, you don't know what to do, because the sight of these things is also disparaging and depressing since piles of junk, are quite frankly, very ugly to look at. But don't fret. It's time for some creativity. Berkeley-based, DIY-themed magazine Readymade willl help you make amazingly inventive, useful works of art from the junk in your room.

For example, a Fed-Ex mailing tube is tranformed into a CD case holder. Your old stash of CD jewel cases becomes an awesome wall mural. My personal favorite is the laquered-shopping bag rug. These are some of the ideas featured in Readymade 's book called "How to Make [Almost] Everything" along with a sprinkling of witty self-help tips (example: The Simple Life: How to Shrink Your World View in Six Easy Steps).

The book follows in the same vein of their regular print mag and web archive, where you can peruse project after project of creative ideas and be happily inspired to create a clock out of your old Altoid box, make an outdoor portable bar, or learn how to land the job of your dreams.

If you prefer to look but not touch, check out some of Readymade's projects on display at The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, like the Vasa water bottle chandelier or seamless, parachute messenger bag. Trash will never look the same way again.

Labels: create, ShoutsOfAdoration, stuff