Have you always wanted to learn how to use a soldering gun? Then we've got the opportunity for you! Sign up NOW for "Soldering 101," an introductory workshop from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. The instructor is Sheila Daniels.

The workshop will cover basic skills and safety information, and will include a take-away project - a glass pendant with embellishments (similar to those created by Sheila and pictured at right). No prior soldering experience is necessary.

The cost is $30, with all supplies provided. Class size is limited to 10 participants (who must be at least 18 years old). Early registration is advised. You may register at the store or by calling 352-7878 (your advance payment reserves your spot).

BIG THANKS to everyone who voted online for the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation in RK Dixon's "Make My Non-Profit Run Better" contest. The competition was for an office-technology makeover valued at up to $15,000 pitting non-profit organizations in several geographical zones throughout Illinois and Iowa against each other. Competitors were required to submit a video to make their case; here's CUSF's video appeal.

Unfortunately, the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation was not a winner.  But we thought you would like to know that, with your help, CUSF - The I.D.E.A. Store's parent organization - made it onto the Top 20 list of non-profits with the most votes! Thank you again for your votes!

One more opportunity to support CUSF . . . 

Be sure to visit your friends from The I.D.E.A. Store at Urbana's Market at the Square on Saturday, Aug. 25. Volunteers will be there from 8 a.m. to noon hosting a free make-and-take workshop featuring reusable materials (of course!).

And if you're on the University of Illinois campus the following day (Sunday, Aug. 26), stop by our table at Quad Day and say hello to volunteers who will be sharing our love of creative reuse with new and returning U. of I. students.

Last but far from least ... it's time for yet another Fabric Blow Out Sale. We're trying something new this time around: Earlybird shoppers can preview and make purchases from the sale inventory, from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, in our classroom area. The sale continues on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hope to see you here, there and everywhere in the coming weeks!

Stained-glass shards, glass from lamps and housewares can glisten and shine one more time around in art pieces, garden ornaments or other projects.

Paper, glass, fabric, plastic and metal are materials with unique properties that may or may not allow them to be recycled by manufacturers. Thankfully, creative reuse is an option for each, and the vast range of possibilities can be narrowed only by the different tools and skill levels you'd need to work with them. Paper projects are easy for people of all ages and skills to enjoy (revisit the July 19 newsletter to learn more). Glass is another animal altogether!

If you separate glass from garbage at your house, you know that only certain items are accepted for recycling. For example, the hauler we use has the following instructions: "Brown and clear glass bottles and jars only (no vases); paper labels may be left on; please discard lids and rinse out the glass; no ceramics, crystal or mirrors."

What haulers accept depends on the market they sell the glass to for remanufacturing, so their lists may vary. If other types of glass enter the recycling stream, they will contaminate

Small vintage perfume bottles double as lovely posy vases and make a big impact when a variety of shapes and sizes are grouped together.

accepted glass because of imcompatible chemical composition. A big contaminant of recyclable glass is non-recyclable glass! As much

Luckily, The I.D.E.A. Store welcomes some non-recyclable glass including marbles and "globs"; clean lab glass, such as test tubes and microscope slides; small mirrors; stained-glass scrap, interesting small bottles of all colors and ages; and specialty pieces such as magnifiers and lenses. (If you have something to donate that is not on the store's list, just call and tell us what it is.) Clean glass baby food jars are recyclable, but you can help them have one more life before that by donating them, and The I.D.E.A. Store actually wants the lids with them. 

Garden bling created by local crafter Janis Krokum from discarded vases and housewares.

DO try this at home!

Be inspired by these classy, glass reuse projects

* Make mosaics from fragments of glass dishes, bottles, etc.

* Go global with this clever idea for reusing glass lamp parts.

* So many possible uses for repurposing glass jars!

* Still MORE ideas for reusing jars.

* A resourceful new use for flat-bottomed test tubes.

* Some foxy painted bottles (AND a few cans tossed in for good measure!)

In case you've missed all the other announcements, The I.D.E.A. Store is now open a whopping 33 hours a week! Woo hoo! Print and clip this reminder, then slap it on the side of your fridge so you'll always know exactly when our "open" sign is glowing.

Tuesday-Friday, noon to 7 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday and Monday, CLOSED

The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation saw a need in the community to accomplish several things: 1.  Support the arts and arts education, 2.  Support environmental education in our communities, 3. Impact the environment by reducing the rate of waste disposal, 4. create a place for everyone to have access to quality materials and 5. Support itself in light of the difficult economic times.  So donate your discards and shop re-use.  Its about making a difference!

 www.cuSchoolsFoundation.org