TURNING SCRAP INTO ART

Discover how to make a twisted segmented bowl.

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I love finding new uses for scraps – some people call it trash, but I see hidden gems waiting to be reborn. It's always fun to take discarded materials and turn them into something interesting.

Over the years, I've experimented with bowls and pens made from plywood scraps (including old skateboard decks), crafted kazoos from flooring offcuts and cabinet doors, and even made rings using veneer scraps and layers of car paint. One of my more unusual projects was a pyramid table made from an old piece of wood.

My woodworking club makes toys for less fortunate children, typically producing 4000-5000 toys per year. I'm responsible for making 150-200 kazoos, but one of my club members, Len, builds a toy called a flip car. This little car goes down a ramp, flips over itself, and keeps going.

Part of the ramp requires cutting off a wedge to create a flat starting section. Since we make hundreds of these toys, we end up with countless wedge-shaped scraps that most people would discard. But not me!

At one club meeting, Len challenged me – in front of everyone – to make something creative from those scraps. So, I did!

The journey turned out to be an incredible learning experience. I tried several new techniques, and to my surprise, the final piece won the top award at my woodworking club and an additional prize at our county fair. I hope you enjoy this project as much as I did!

What you will need Tools and materials: I used standard woodworking tools, many of which I found online for a great price.