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Like most creative types, I fancy myself a problem solver, and when one discards an object deeming it no longer of worth, I say “Nay, good Sir or Madam, you just haven’t thought up a good way to recontextualize it.”
My desk, as I type, is covered, and I mean filled to maximum capacity, with discarded pipes that didn't make the cut that we’ve received with estate batches from good folks just like you, dear reader. They are set aside serving no other purpose but sentimentality, and occasional employee pilfering.
And so begins our dusty journey together finding new uses for old, chewed-up, burnt-out pipes. We may not actually reach one-hundred and one (this sounds much more intimidating all spelled out), but I bet once we put our heads together we’ll come up with all sorts of new and inventive ways to repurpose that which I know most of you will never throw out anyway.
I’ll start (this was, my idea, after all) with what has to be one of the world’s tiniest planters:
What do you think? The pipe (and yes, Magritte, this still be a pipe) continues to carry with it all its “pipe-ness” and the cultural baggage there within-- nostalgia, masculinity, etc. minus the smoking part-- even juxtaposed with feminine beauty of the colorful little wildflower I picked behind my office.
And now that you’re stimulated, it’s your turn, dear Sir or Madam. What ideas have you? Tell us in the comments, or better yet send some pics to our social media liaison at [email protected] or post them on our Facebook page. Please, do not be afraid to think outside the box (one-hundred and one is a lot).
Comments
They can be kept around as a snuffer for cigars and cigarettes (handy when you're out, even with your everyday pipe). They can be used as a candle snuffer, too. Why not, if they're already displayed. Give me time. I can probably come up with more. I tend to do things with items that are at hand.
@Keven That's brilliant, we can't wait to hear more!
I use the deeper bowled pipes as wooden match stick holders.
@Craig H Nice tip Craig, thank you, we'll definitely give that a try.
I've got my Uncle's old pipe sitting here, and am wondering what to do with it. The one I have here has a similar shape and feel to a long door handle. It could also be used as a wall hook.
I have a battered old straight billiard, likely a Dr. Grabow's purchased at the druggist, that makes a very handy speaking trumpet when I have forgotten to put my hearing aids (or take them out for some peace, quiet and ear canal rest) in and am at my desk and the SO tries to speak at me in a whisper from across the room with the idiot box on. Or at least it illustrates my frustration. I also use it to now and again as a template to draw circles on correspondence which I then fill in with ridiculous faces or ideas for producing buttons like "He's Tan, Rested and Ready: Nixon in '92!" (old one) or the perennial favorite "Free the Ocelots!"
I’m glad,I found a forum for what to do with old estate pipes that don’t make the grade.