If you have a painting project, you can save a lot of money by buying packages of paint rollers, but when you buy lots of them or buy the no-name brand you run the risk of getting paint rollers that are covered in fibers and fluff that will come off and leave you with an uneven coat. The blog Sawdust and Paper Scraps has a great way to prep those rollers for a smooth coat—wrap them in painters tape first. More »

If you enjoy spending time in the outdoors skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, or enjoying other snow sports and don't like wearing a full ski-mask you can protect your face by sewing a fleece insert into a bandanna that you wear on your face. More »

If you're the type who prefer to open mail as soon as you get in the house—hopefully over a recycling bin so the junk mail goes right inside, this DIY mail shelf can give you a space in your foyer or entryway to stash the important stuff while reading, or leave your gadgets to charge before you leave the house. All you'll need is a small piece of wood and some magazine holders, courtesy of IKEA. More »

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Lens caps can be an expensive replacement for some cameras. If you're looking for a cheap solution to keep your lens clean and safe after loosing a cap, DIY Photography reader Stu Carlson suggests using the bottom of a soda bottle. More »

A good stud finder is an excellent addition to any toolbox, but if you don't have one and you just want to hang some art, this tip from a general contractor over at Houzz is a money-saver. Get the strongest magnet you can find, and wrap it in painter's tape, leaving enough loose that you can use as a handle. Then drag the magnet across the wall where you want to find a stud. If it's strong enough, the magnet will be attracted to the nails, screws, and junctions in the stud as it passes over one, and offer some resistance. More »

If you or someone you live with is the forgetful type who always forgets to turn devices off, this DIY outlet shutoff timer may be your next project to tackle. You just need basic electrical parts from a hardware store. More »

Dried apples are not only a nutritious snack, they're fantastically delicious too and easy to make at home. All you need is a little lemon juice and water and you can preserve a bunch of apples for the whole winter. More »

Cutting the insulation off wire is a bit of an artform. When you're not careful it often results in you cutting through the entire wire and having to start over. To solve this problem, Thingiverse user bjbsquared created a simple wire cutter that lights up when you cut through the insulation. More »

If you love the taste of smoked meats but live in an apartment, don't have the money or space for an expensive backyard smoker, or just don't want to spend a lot of time smoking your meat or fish, this how-to from Saveur, shows you how to make a stovetop smoker that will add that smoked flavor to meat or fish in minutes, using gear you probably already own. More »