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How to Use Unplayable CDs for Art Projects

Broken CDs and DVDs may look like trash to most people, but with a little elbow they can be transformed into works of art. Scratched, broken or damaged CDs and DVDs can be salvaged to created a hanging mobile for a baby's crib or a mosaic for your living room. Molding broken CDs and DVDs into an artistic creation requires a few extra craft items and a little bit of free time.

Things You'll Need

  • Unplayable CDs
  • Paint brush
  • Black acrylic paint
  • Paper clip
  • Yarn
  • Coat hanger
  • Hot-melt glue gun
  • Pliers
  • Box nails
  • Hammer
  • Plywood or durable cardboard
  • Broom and dust pan
  • Deep picture frame (that fits the cardboard or plywood)
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Instructions

  1. Hanging Mobile

    • 1

      Paint one side of each CD or DVD with a paint brush dipped in black acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry for one hour. Flip the disc over and paint the other side. Again, let the paint dry for one hour.

    • 2

      Straighten a paper clip. Use one end to scratch designs, pictures or letters into the paint on the bottom side of the discs (opposite side of the label). The shiny rainbow colors on the discs will be exposed.

    • 3

      Loop yarn through the center hole on the disc and tie a knot, leaving one foot of yarn loose.

    • 4

      Tie the excess yarn to the coat hanger and form a double-knot. Repeat the yarn process for each disc until all of your discs are attached to the hanger.

    • 5

      Hang the artwork up in a bedroom or over a baby's crib.

    Sun Catcher

    • 6

      Place glue on the label sides of two CDs or DVDs using a hot-melt glue gun. Press the label side of one disc against the label side of another disc, leaving the reflective side of each disc facing outward. Allow the glue to dry for 10 minutes.

    • 7

      Grab the head of a box nail with a pair of pliers. Hold the nail over a flame for three minutes.

    • 8

      Push the hot nail through the top of the discs you glued together in Step 1. Penetrate both discs all the way through to create a good-sized hole.

    • 9

      Thread yarn through the hole and secure it with a double knot. Leave six inches of yarn hanging.

    • 10

      Hang the sun catcher above a window.

    Mosaic

    • 11

      Break CDs or DVDs into small pieces with a hammer. Do this outdoors, in a garage or in a shop.

    • 12

      Gather the pieces that will be used in the mosaic. Sweep up any remaining pieces with a broom and dust pan.

    • 13

      Lay out a large piece of durable cardboard or plywood. Paint the cardboard or plywood with black acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry for one hour.

    • 14

      Glue the disc pieces to a large piece of cardboard or plywood using a hot-melt glue gun. Allow the glue to dry for 10 minutes.

    • 15

      Frame the mosaic piece of art using a deep photo frame and hang it on a wall.

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