Make rock mosaics with pebbles pressed into a substance such as clay or grout. Gather several small pebbles in different shapes and colors. Spread a layer of clay or grout over a piece of plywood. Press the rocks in to create a pattern, picture, name or portrait. Make any size you desire; use smaller squares to put hot pots on in the kitchen and frame large mosaics and hang on the wall.
Determine what animal a rock, or group of rocks, resemble. Paint and embellish with plastic eyes and felt pieces to turn an ordinary rock into an animal. For example, paint oblong, misshapen rocks gray and then add the face of a seal. Spray with clear shellac to give the seal a shiny appearance. Glue the seal to a rock with a flat bottom painted to look like a circus stand or ball. Paint a collection of rocks to look like ducks or ladybugs, or arrange rocks to be a turtle. To make the turtle, use a large rounded rock with a flat bottom as the turtle shell and then glue smaller rocks on either side for the turtle's legs. Glue a felt triangle tail and make the turtle's head from an oval shaped rock.
Recycle an unwanted CD and some natural materials to make a miniature campfire sculpture. Cover the CD with a layer of white glue and then sprinkle dirt or sand in the center of the CD. Add another line of glue around the outside edge. Press small pebbles along the rim to form the campfire ring. Break twigs into small pieces and build a tipi-style fire in the center. Tear red, orange and yellow tissue paper into one- and two-inch squares. Wrap the tissue paper square around the tip of a toothpick. Slide off the toothpick and glue in place on the fire pit twigs. Allow to dry overnight.
Transform ordinary rocks into pieces of artwork with glue and paper. Use the decoupaged rock as a paperweight or gift. Choose a rock approximately four inches wide and long, wash and dry completely. Tear colored paper, newspaper, old maps or tissue paper into one- or two-inch pieces. Glue the paper directly on the rock, applying glue with a foam brush on both the top and bottom of each piece of paper. Let dry and then cover with another coat of glue. Use thick craft glue to cover the bottom with a piece of felt so that surfaces will be protected when the rock is displayed. Variations include adding an inspirational word to the finished piece with a paint marker or making holiday-themed rocks such as a Valentine rock, St. Patrick's Day blarney stone, or a birthday-themed paperweight.
Create a pet rock with leftover craft supplies. Paint the rock and then add features with pebbles, wiggly eyes, yarn or felt. Make a home for the pet rock from a small cardboard box embellished with the rock's name.