HOMEFREE: 'Old' 35 mm film canister makes a great change 'purse'

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(repost from Jan 2 2012)

I was digging change out of my wallet and commenting that it was a bit irksome as the zippered compartment meant for other-than-bills money was narrow and not finger- or eye- friendly when the church thrift store lady cashier said she used a 35 mm film holder.

"But it wouldn't fit the width of loonies and toonies," I said.

"Yes it will," she said.

It does! It does! Thank you, Betty!

And this technique that I learned ages ago from my dentist's receptionist (thank you, Jilian!) enhanced the repurposing of the canister.

It's very simple, fun, and the effect is startling and satisfying. You take plain masking tape and rip off pieces at random and stick them on the surface.

Then rub it with shoepolish; experiment with more or less for different effects. Let dry. Buff for a shine or let remain a matte finish.

Money is contained nicely, pours out easily into palm, is immediatlely visible, and it slides back into the container as satisfactorily.

I don't know what this is called but you can decorate any surface with it: books, tins, furniture, stair risers, walls etc.etc.etc.

P.S. As I was getting ready to go out on the daily errands and was tucking the earth-coloured change holder into my purse, I decided a green one would be nice to have as well; thing is, I don't have green shoe polish. Actually I don't recall ever seeing green shoe polish. But I do have green acrylic paints.

This 'last minute to leaving' idea resulted in a green change holder (proving it really is simple and quick to produce!). The acrylic paint is more staunch* than shoe polish and required using fingers to spread it around and have it adhere, but it worked: when I got home it had dried and was nature-mottled green; it pleases me.

* I am aware "staunch" is usually a verb but I am using it here as a noun because it suits the situation.