Leftovers, Etc.

05/26/2026

Upcycled Milk Jug Lanterns

Supplies:

Clean empty frosted plastic milk jugs
Scissors or craft knife
Mod Podge or craft glue
Foam brush or paintbrush
Pressed leaves or dried flowers
Black cardstock or paper silhouettes
Fairy lights (battery-operated)
Jute twine
Hole punch
Paper towels

Instructions:

Prepare the milk jug
Wash and dry the milk jug thoroughly. Remove labels and cut off the top portion, leaving a bucket-shaped lantern base with smooth edges.
Create the decorations
Cut butterfly, leaf, moon, or other silhouette shapes from black cardstock. Gather pressed leaves or dried flowers.
Attach the designs
Brush a layer of Mod Podge onto the outside of the jug. Press the paper shapes and dried botanicals onto the plastic surface.
Seal everything
Brush another thin layer of Mod Podge over the decorations to seal them flat against the jug. Let dry completely until clear.
Add hanging holes
Punch two small holes near the top edge of the lantern.
Attach the handle
Thread jute twine through the holes and tie knots to create a hanging handle.
Insert fairy lights
Place a string of battery-operated fairy lights inside the lantern. Keep the battery pack accessible.
Display
Turn on the lights and hang the lanterns indoors or in a covered outdoor space.

05/26/2026

Love this!!!

The cutest plastic bottle worm planter for your garden!

Tutorial:
Step 1: Cut the bottom halves off six plastic bottles to make the worm body.
Step 2: Poke holes in the sides of the bottles and use zip ties to connect them in a row.
Step 3: Cut a smaller bottle to use as the head and glue it to the front.
Step 4: Paint the entire worm in fun colors and add eyes and a mouth.
Step 5: Fill each bottle section with dirt and plant your favorite small flowers.

05/26/2026

CUTE IDEA!!! Need jars?

05/26/2026

Cute idea!!! And, of course, we know where you can get tin cans!!!

Transform empty metal tin cans into a budget-friendly backyard bird buffet!

Tutorial:

Step 1: Clean and paint six empty tin cans in pastel colors.
Step 2: Insert wooden perches.
Step 3: Construct a wooden roof and backing.
Step 4: Mount all parts to a backing board.
Step 5: Attach to a tree and fill with birdseed.

05/25/2026

People are making WHAT with crayons?! 😭🎨

We’re talking buildings, artwork, sculptures, and creations we NEVER would’ve imagined from a simple box of crayons 👀✨

It just proves that creativity can come from the most unexpected materials ♻️

At Leftovers, Etc., you never know what inspiration you’ll discover walking through the aisles.

Would YOU try creating something like this? 👇

📍 Leftovers ETC
4349 Woodson Rd, Suite 500
Woodson Terrace, MO 63134
(Enter from the back on Calvert St!)

🕒 Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 1PM–7PM
Saturday: 9AM–5PM

05/23/2026

Leftovers is CLOSED, Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day!!!

Send a message to learn more

05/22/2026

Different, but I think it wouldn't be easy. But hey, it's recycling, reusing, etc. and that's what we're all about.

Take your upcycling skills to the next level by turning empty soda cans into beautiful roses!

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬

1. Cut the top and bottom off a soda can and flatten the tin
2. Draw a spiral petal pattern and cut it out
3. Curl the petals inward, starting from the center
4. Continue shaping until the rose is fully formed
5. Snip and tuck the end to keep it from unrolling
6. Bend petals outward to open the flower
7. Cut and fold a strip of tin for the stem
8. Attach the flower to the stem to finish

𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑-𝒃𝒚-𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍, 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 👇💬

05/20/2026

Okay… we want to know 👀✨

When you come to Leftovers, Etc., what are YOU looking for most? ♻️

🎨 Craft supplies
📚 Classroom materials
✨ DIY ideas
👀 Random finds

Tell us in the comments 👇
You never know what creative treasures you’ll discover around here 😭✨

📍 4349 Woodson Rd, Suite 500 Woodson Terrace, MO 63134
(Enter from the back on Calvert St!)

🕒 Hours: Monday – Thursday: 1PM–7PM Saturday: 9AM–5PM

05/19/2026

Guess who has PLENTY of these bottles!!!

Don't Recycle Those Soda Bottles!
♻️ Turn them into Gorgeous "Wind-Spinning" Chihuly Art.

Supplies:
Clear plastic water or soda bottles, permanent markers (vibrant colors work best), and scissors.

Step-by-Step:

Clean the outside of empty plastic bottles and remove the labels.

Use your permanent markers to color the entire outside of the bottle in alternating, vibrant striped or wavy patterns.

Cut off the thick bottom base of the bottle and discard it.

Starting from the bottom cut edge, use your scissors to cut continuously up the bottle in a 1-inch-wide spiral all the way up to the bottleneck. When you let go, it will spring down into a gorgeous, bouncy, colorful spiral that catches the sunlight and spins beautifully when hung from a tree branch!

"It looks like expensive blown glass but it's pure upcycled fun!
☀️ S.H.A.R.E this with a friend who loves colorful garden decor!"