You can use super glue or any other strong glue, such as epoxy, to attach the tapes to one another securely.
When you are finished, each tape will have 1 skinny end stuck to another and 1 wide part stuck to another. Hang up these individual squares on your wall as shelves, or glue several together to create a bigger grid-shaped shelf. If you create a large grid-like shelf, you can set it on the floor instead of hanging it up on a wall.
For example, to create a small planter, lay 2 tapes flat, side-by-side, and glue them where they touch. Then, glue 4 tapes in a square on top of the base to create the sides. Fill it with dirt and plants and voila!
For instance, you could use VHS tapes to create the pixely outline of an old video game character like Pac-Man. You could also glue tapes together in letters to spell something out. For example, to make an “E,” glue 2 tapes end-to-end. Then, glue 3 tapes horizontally so the skinny parts of the tapes are attached to the wide, flat parts of the first 2 tapes you glued together to form the letter “E”.
If your VHS tapes have the old cardboard sleeve-type covers, you can keep them on to give each bookend a unique look and add an interesting touch to your bookshelf.
You can use clear or colored lights. Create several different varieties of these mini LED lamps to decorate your home with. Make sure to run the plug end of the cord with the power button out of the cassette before you screw it back together.
You could use the cases to store board game pieces, such as dice and scorekeeping materials.
The outer shell of VHS tapes can be recycled normally, but the actual tape inside needs to be disposed of by an electronics recycler.
You could put 1 standard photo-sized picture inside the sleeve, or create a collage of several smaller pictures, such as 2-3 Polaroids.
Wash your hands after handling the tape from old VHS cassettes. The tape is coated with metals that can rub off onto your hands in a black dust that can be toxic. Let the recipient of the gift know that they should wash their hands after removing the bow.
A spiral hole punch is a hole punch that punches the right number and size of holes for a specific size of spiral. Make sure you use the right size of hole punch for the spiral of the notebook. You could just glue the old VHS tape cover art to the front and back covers of a notebook for a quick shortcut. You can also use the covers of several old VHS tapes to create a collage that you can use as wall art. You could mount them onto a piece of poster board.
