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Your toddler threw one of his sneakers out the window sometime in the last hour of driving. The heel on your favorite pumps snapped in a sewer grate. And the dog has a knack for chewing just one from each pair. (Note to puppy: "Jimmy Choo" is not a command!)
So what's a shoe-lover to do? When faced with orphan shoes, don't be so quick to toss them in the trash. Get ready to reuse and upcycle.
1. Orphan Shoe = Door Stop or Bookend
Take an old shoe and find a heavy rock or some concrete mix left over from a home reno and pack the toe of the shoe to make it as heavy as possible. Just like that you have a sexy bookend or doorstop.
2. Orphan Shoe = Hammer
I'm ashamed to admit this, but I've used a heeled shoe for a hammer—on several occasions. Thicker heels work best, and don't even bother with shoes with a rubber sole—a hard sole is your friend. So next time you need to hang a picture or make a quick repair, grab that orphan shoe and hammer away. Just don't tell your husband or father. (Trust me.)
3. Orphan Shoe = Garden Decor and Planters
Colorful shoes are a perfect match for your whimsical garden. Orphan pumps and flats make great planters for sweet annuals, while sandals work well with creeping vines. Or just place a shoe in an unexpected place for chic ornamentation.
4. Orphan Shoe = Ruby Slipper
Have two odd, but similar-shaped shoes? Get out the red glitter and eco-friendly glue to make some ruby red slippers. Add a couple of "legs" and lay them against your house on Halloween for the perfect reenactment of the scene in which the Wicked Witch of the East gets a house dropped on her. (Note: If you happen to have an old plush snake hanging around, cut it in half for bewitching green legs. Otherwise, stuff some green tights.)
5. Orphan Shoe = Haute Decor
A well-made, beautiful shoe is a work of art, so why not treat it as such? Add a bright or sculptural shoe to a shelf, table or windowsill for a hit of the unexpected. For those who really love shoes, mount a few of those orphans on the wall for instant art.
Cara Smusiak writes on behalf of Naturally Savvy.com about how to live a more natural, organic and green lifestyle.
More on shoes from Planet Green:
7 Tips to Make Your Shoes Last Longer
Ask Summer Raine: Where Can I Find Eco-Chic Shoes?
Polish Your Shoes for Cheap
5 Reuses for Orphan Boots and Shoes
Quiz: Are You An Eco-Friendly Eater?
Love green gadgets, fashion, and news? Get the latest from Planet Green's dynamic duo Suchin Pak and Daniel Sieberg on the G Word.
Got a tip or a post idea for us to write about on Planet Green? Email pgtips (at) treehugger (dot) com.
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