We recently received an email asking what the plastic cone that comes inside our Pop-Arty! popbeads is for. The question brought up many interesting ideas around here:

• Bury it in the dirt for a tiny swimming pool liner. Give the ladybugs a glam spot to hang out!
• Attach paper wings and make a little craft angel.
• Pour water in the bathtub.
• Sort and count out the tiniest popbeads.
• Use it on Wonder Woman's plane! (What use? Who knows? Let her figure it out. She’s Wonder Woman!)
• Learn to trace circles.
• Make a goofy sorcerer’s cap for a doll or stuffed animal.
• Cut a hole at the bottom and use as a sand funnel.
• Trap and observe an ant or spider. (Then let 'er go, of course!)
• Balancing practice - put in on your head and walk across the room.
• Enjoy an imaginary ice cream cone.
• Make a mystical clear mountain for your Lego minifigures.
• Make a tiny "glass" teepee. If you live in there, don't throw stones!
• Use it as a fulcrum for a Barbie seesaw.
• Use it as a target for Wheeee-mote Control.

But our #1 favorite use was: Make gnome-sized garden cloches to protect your tiniest plants. And, of course, a rain hat to protect that gnome! (See fig 1.1 and fig 1.2)

The real answer? To prevent rustling beads from scratching up the jar in transit. But when you’re absolutely finished doing alllll of this, pop it in the recycling bin. It’s #1 plastic so it has even more uses in its next life. It could even come back as Polar Fleece!

What uses have you thought of? Share, please!