The simplest crafts to create with CDs are ones which entail gluing paper or felt to the CD to transform it from a disc into something new. CDs are great for creating crafts with round shapes in them naturally, such as snowmen or turtles. After the design has been attached to one side of the CD, a magnet attached to the back of the CD turns it into a custom refrigerator magnet.
Letter holders offer an organized way of storing your incoming mail before it is opened. A simple letter holder design requires polystyrene foam and a pair of CDs, as well as art supplies for decoration. Cut the foam into a base in the shape of your choosing, ranging from a simple rectangle to a design like a heart. Insert the CDs into the foam so that each stands straight up, parallel to each other. Decorate as desired with art supplies.
Chalkboard paint has a matte finish with a textured surface, ideal for writing on with chalk. Spray a CD with chalkboard paint, applying multiple layers if needed for the entire CD to be covered with an even finish. Once the board has been sprayed, add to the board with other crafting materials such as paper or felt, to give your chalk board a unique design.
Paint the back end of the CD with paint in the color of your choosing. Once the paint has dried, use a fine-tipped item, such as a paper clip or a safety pin, to scratch paint off of the CD. Scratched off designs can be simple shapes, such as spirals or zigzags, or actual pictures drawn onto the CD. The unique reflections that a CD gives off creates a unique look in conjunction with the paint that remains.
Geometric art is a simple craft using a CD and some permanent markers. Draw a series of straight lines and circles on the CD using a black marker. The number of shapes created is up to you, with fewer lines creating fewer areas to color. Once the lines are complete color the sections of the CD in with different colored markers, creating a stained-glass appearance on the CD.