Serendipitous discovery! Discarded plastic beverage-straw could be turned into a decorative nail-set. I noticed this when I was working with my art supplies and found a piece of a sour-apple-green plastic straw. It’s just about the shape of my pinky fingernail, and looks cute. I thought that would be kind of cute to have a whole set.
I’ve only gotten my nails done like that a couple times in my life, I think they’re really cute and fun but I didn’t find it feasible to do typing, landscaping, or other work with them on. And, though I haven’t researched the details, I’m pretty sure the acrylics and other substances are environmentally damaging impact. I really worry also about the health of the nail technicians being exposed to all those chemicals. I still really get a kick out of admiring fancy manicures, elaborate nails on my friends and just people out there in the world. Hopefully some gentler alternatives are being developed. I’m going to put this on my homework assignment list to look into.
BTW regarding the straw upcycle nail, not sure what an eco-friendly adhesive would be. Maybe just a drop of superglue or something.
I try to refuse straws (since I don’t have a medical need for them, & they don’t add value to my drinking experience), but it’s such a habit for bartenders etc that they end up giving you a straw anyway. Also, living in a windy coastal area, we’re constantly finding them on the beach.
So I try to use them for artwork and such. They can be good paint stirrers etc.
How about you? What do you do with the endless pile of straws? Got any fun upcycle reuses to share? Or have you been able to avoid straws entirely or nearly entirely? If so, hats off to you!