Top 17 'Circuit-Board-Chic' DIY Projects to make from your E-Waste Graveyard on Weekends - Goh Ling Yong
Step aside, macaroni necklaces and popsicle stick houses. There’s a new craft material in town, and it’s probably hiding in a dusty box in your closet right now. We’re talking about e-waste—the ghost of electronics past. That old flip phone, the desktop computer that saw you through university, the busted DVD player... they all have a second life waiting for them, and it's surprisingly stylish.
Before you haul that box of obsolete tech to a recycling center, let's crack it open. Inside, you'll find the heart and soul of every electronic device: the printed circuit board (PCB). With their intricate, metallic pathways and geometric components, these boards look like tiny, futuristic cityscapes. They are, in essence, ready-made art. This weekend, we're transforming that e-waste graveyard into a treasure trove of "circuit-board-chic" masterpieces.
Ready to plug in your creativity? Here are 17 incredible DIY projects that turn technological trash into stunning, functional, and conversation-starting art. Grab your safety glasses, and let's get making!
1. Cyberpunk Jewelry: Pendants & Earrings
This is the perfect entry point into the world of circuit board crafting. The small, detailed sections of a PCB are ideal for creating unique, eye-catching jewelry that screams cyberpunk cool. Imagine wearing a tiny piece of a motherboard, its golden traces glinting in the light.
To get started, carefully cut small, interesting shapes from a circuit board using a jeweler's saw or a Dremel with a cutting wheel (always wear a mask and safety glasses!). Sand the edges until they're perfectly smooth. You can then drill a tiny hole to add a jump ring for a necklace or an earring hook. For a professional, glossy finish, apply a thin coat of clear epoxy resin.
Pro-Tip: Look for older, colorful boards. Vintage electronics often feature vibrant red, blue, or even black PCBs that can add a pop of color to your creations.
2. Tech-Infused Coasters
Protect your coffee table with a slice of tech history. Circuit board coasters are not only functional but also fantastic conversation starters. Their complex patterns are mesmerizing, ensuring no two coasters are ever exactly alike.
For this project, you'll want larger, flat pieces of circuit board, perhaps from an old desktop motherboard. Cut them into 4x4 inch squares. Since PCBs aren't perfectly smooth, the key is to create a level, waterproof surface. Adhere the square to a cork or felt backing, then build a small tape "dam" around the edges and pour a self-leveling epoxy resin over the top. The resin will fill in all the gaps, creating a durable, glass-like finish.
3. Large-Scale Wall Art & Mosaics
Ready to make a statement? Use a collection of circuit boards to create a stunning piece of wall art. This can be as simple as mounting a single, visually interesting motherboard in a shadow box, or as complex as creating a mosaic from hundreds of tiny pieces.
Think like a painter, but with tech. Use the different colors of boards—green, blue, red, yellow—as your palette. You can create an abstract geometric pattern or even a cityscape silhouette. Arrange and glue the pieces onto a sturdy backboard like plywood or MDF. This is your chance to go big and transform an entire wall with the beauty of recycled technology.
4. The Ultimate Geeky Keychain
Never lose your keys again with a keychain that reflects your inner tech-lover. This is one of the quickest and easiest projects on the list, making it perfect for an afternoon craft session.
Simply find a small, visually appealing section of a circuit board—perhaps one with a unique chip or an interesting pattern of traces. Cut it into a desired shape (a simple rectangle or a fun robot shape works well!), sand the edges smooth, and drill a hole in the corner. Attach a standard keyring, and you're done! It’s a small, daily reminder of the beauty hidden inside our gadgets.
5. Circuit Board Picture Frames
Give your favorite memories a futuristic frame. Upcycling a plain, boring picture frame with circuit board pieces is a simple way to add a personalized, high-tech touch to your home decor.
Start with a basic wooden or plastic frame with a flat, wide border. Cut pieces of circuit board to fit, either as large panels or as a mosaic of smaller "tiles." Use a strong adhesive like E6000 or epoxy to glue the pieces onto the frame's surface. The contrast between the warm photo and the cool, geometric frame is truly striking.
6. A Sleek Business Card Holder
Make a lasting first impression at your next networking event with a DIY business card holder. This project is a bit more structural but results in a functional piece of desk art that is both professional and unique.
You’ll need to cut several pieces of circuit board: a larger one for the base and two or three smaller, identical pieces to create the holder's slot. Glue the smaller pieces together in a stack, and then glue the stack onto the base. This creates a sturdy, perfectly sized slot to hold your cards. It’s a subtle nod to your passion for technology that sits right on your desk.
7. The Mother of all Clocks
What time is it? It's time to upcycle! A large motherboard from an old computer is the perfect canvas for a wall clock. The central hole where the CPU used to be is often the ideal spot to mount a simple clock mechanism.
You can buy inexpensive clock kits online or at any craft store. Simply find a motherboard you love the look of, clean it thoroughly, and install the clock mechanism through the center. Add some stylish hands, and you have a functional piece of art that celebrates the heart of a computer.
8. Desk Organizer & Pen Holder
Tidy up your workspace with a custom-built desk organizer. By cutting and assembling larger pieces of circuit boards, you can construct small boxes and dividers to hold pens, paperclips, and other office supplies.
This project requires some precise cutting and strong glue. Think of it like building with high-tech LEGOs. You can design a simple, single-compartment pen holder or a more complex organizer with multiple sections. It’s a fantastic way to bring order to your desk while showcasing your crafting skills.
9. A Luminous Lampshade
For the more adventurous crafter, creating a circuit board lampshade can produce a breathtaking result. When lit from within, the light shines through the board's holes and gaps, casting intricate, web-like patterns on the walls.
The safest way to do this is to decorate an existing lampshade frame or a fire-retardant backing. Cut circuit board pieces and attach them to the shade's surface, leaving small gaps in between for light to escape. Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we encourage innovative thinking, and this project is a brilliant example. Important: Always use a low-heat LED bulb for a project like this to ensure safety.
10. Festive Holiday Ornaments
Give your Christmas tree a techy twist with circuit board ornaments. The natural green color of most boards is already festive, and their metallic traces sparkle beautifully among the tree lights.
Cut the boards into classic holiday shapes like stars, snowflakes, trees, or circles using a Dremel or scroll saw. Sand the edges, drill a small hole at the top, and thread a ribbon through for hanging. These also make fantastic, unique gifts for the tech enthusiasts in your life.
11. Custom Guitar Picks
While not as durable as standard celluloid picks, creating a guitar pick from a thin circuit board is a fun novelty project. It’s a great way to use up the smallest scraps of e-waste and create something truly one-of-a-kind.
Trace a standard guitar pick onto a thinner, more flexible piece of PCB. Carefully cut it out and then spend plenty of time sanding the edges to a smooth, beveled finish. It might not become your go-to for playing a live show, but it's a cool accessory for a casual jam session.
12. Upcycled Notebook Cover
Transform a plain Moleskine or spiral notebook into a piece of art. Adorning a journal cover with a large, flat piece of a circuit board gives it a durable, distinctive, and inspiring feel.
Find a thin circuit board, perhaps from a laptop or a tablet. Cut it to the exact size of your notebook's front cover. Use a strong, flexible adhesive to glue it securely in place. Every time you reach for your journal to jot down ideas, you'll be greeted by this symbol of repurposed innovation.
13. High-Tech Light Switch & Outlet Covers
This is a subtle but incredibly effective way to inject some geek-chic style into a room. Replacing your plain plastic light switch and outlet covers with circuit board versions is an easy upgrade that makes a big impact.
Simply buy a cheap, plain cover from a hardware store. Then, carefully cut a thin piece of circuit board to the same size, including the holes for the switch and screws. Glue the PCB layer onto the plastic cover. It’s a small detail that shows a true commitment to a tech-inspired aesthetic.
14. Intricate Fridge Magnets
Your fridge is a gallery of your life—so why not add some tech art to the collection? Small, interesting-looking components or beautifully patterned sections of a PCB make for excellent magnets.
This is a fantastic project for using up tiny offcuts from other projects. Find a piece you like, sand the edges, and simply hot-glue a small, strong neodymium magnet to the back. Group a few together to create a miniature art installation on your refrigerator door.
15. Resin-Inlaid Serving Tray
Combine the rustic warmth of wood with the cool complexity of technology by creating a resin-inlaid serving tray. This advanced project yields a stunning, high-end piece that looks like it came from an expensive design boutique.
Start with a wooden tray that has a raised edge. Arrange pieces of circuit board in a pattern on the bottom of the tray. Mix a batch of clear casting resin and pour it over the circuit boards, filling the tray until the pieces are completely submerged. The resin will create a perfectly flat, durable, and food-safe surface that beautifully showcases the tech within.
16. Abstract E-Waste Sculptures
Unleash your inner artist and think in three dimensions. Using not just the circuit boards but all the other components of your e-waste—wires, heat sinks, capacitors, and fans—you can build fascinating abstract sculptures.
There are no rules here. The goal is to explore the shapes, textures, and forms of the electronic world. Solder, glue, or wire components together to create futuristic creatures, abstract cityscapes, or whatever your imagination conjures. This is where e-waste truly transcends its original purpose and becomes pure art. My friend, Goh Ling Yong, would surely appreciate this level of creative problem-solving.
17. Sophisticated Circuit Board Cufflinks
For a touch of formal geekery, circuit board cufflinks are the ultimate accessory. They are subtle, stylish, and a clear indicator of a discerning taste in both fashion and technology.
You’ll need to find a pair of blank cufflink pads from a craft supplier. Cut two small, matching circles or squares from a visually interesting part of a circuit board. A great choice is a section with fine, gold-plated traces. Glue them onto the cufflink pads and, for a polished look, coat them with a dome of clear resin.
Your Turn to Create!
That forgotten tangle of cords and obsolete gadgets in your drawer isn't a problem; it's a pile of potential. It's a source of art, decor, and unique gifts just waiting for a creative spark. By upcycling your e-waste, you're not just making something beautiful—you're making a statement about sustainability, innovation, and seeing the hidden value in the things we discard.
So, which project will you tackle this weekend? Choose one that excites you, gather your tools, and start deconstructing. The world of circuit-board-chic is at your fingertips.
We'd love to see what you create! Share a photo of your finished project in the comments below or tag us on social media. What other amazing uses have you found for old electronics?
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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