It's been 20 years since you bought Debbie Gibson's Electric Youth on cassette from Sam Goody at the Appleton Square Mall. And it has spent at least half that time in a shoebox in your closet. It's time you finally looked past the tender nostalgia and let go. That goes for Boyz II Men, C+C Music Factory, and Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch as well. Why not do something constructive with those miles of magnetic tape? Here's some inspiration for quality reusability:

Tape Skeletons

You can see this skull is made of Mötley Crüe and Judas Priest tapes. But I'm pretty sure in the center there's a soft spot made of Steely Dan. (via Designboom)

Tape Ties

The best part of this stylish neckwear is the potential for you to be in an important business meeting and somehow a magnetic tape head falls from the sky, passes over your chest, and broadcasts Christopher Cross' "Sailing" across the boardroom. "Sailing, takes me away / To where I've always heard it." Sure, it's a little embarrassing, but you've made the sale! (via Sonic Fabric)

Tape Portraits of Musicians

Synaesthesia personified. (via Ghost in the Machine on Flickr)

Tape iPod Nano Cases

Check it out! You put the new thing in the old thing! Oh by the way, Celine Dion is trying to get pregnant. (via Contexture Design)

Tape Lamps

Shine a light on your Atari 2600 Coffee Table and Growing Pains Lunch Box Futon. (via Ooo My Design)



Finally, here are a couple of DIY cassette tape projects to get you started:

Make a Cassette Tape Bracelet (via Dollar Store Crafts)

Cassette Tape Wallet (via Instructables )