Last week we blogged the holiday issue of ReadyMade. Among the paper, wood, plastic, fabric, and metal gift guides, we took note of a few how-to's that seemed easy, proved useful, and looked good. All of them can be done with old objects at home, and each would make a sincere gift-giving gesture. The first uses wood: How to make an embroidery-hoop clock; the second is plastic: a wrapping tip using microfilm as a bow; and the third, metal: an easy planter for succulents using an old kitchen tin.

posted originally from: AT:Chicago

Wood: Embroidery-Hoop Clock

Ingredients: Embroidery hoop, sheet of wood veneer, wood-grain contact paper, clock kit
Tools: Scissors, hold punch, glue, x-acto knife

Plastic: Microfilm Bow

Ingredients: Microfilm, clear tape, wrapped package in need of a cool bow
Tools: Scissors, ruler

Metal: Tin o'Succulents

Ingredients: Cupcake tin or mini-loaf pan that you can set ina larger tin to allow for drainage
Tools: Hammer, nail

To get all step-by-step instructions, pick up ReadyMade's Dec '07/Jan '08 issue.