School children and their teachers have, for years, known the value of discards. I remember many an art project that started with some food container or other household item I had been instructed to bring to class that day. It just isn't fair. Professional artists are eager to take whatever medium they can find and turn different items into works of art. But even the occasional artist can benefit from reusing discarded things.
Birdhouses arise out of empty plastic bottles, jewelry divined out of wire, old jewelry and beads.
String, plastic, metal, almost anything goes. Even our grandmothers learned how to recycle old clothing into new clothes for the kids, or into the warm quilt you lovingly have across your bed. All you have to do is look around you with a creative and non-judgmental eye. You might even want to visit a junkyard. And don't overlook the value of hanging out at thrift stores, flea markets and yard sales.