Readers supply ideas for reusing corks

Dear Readers: Have you ever wondered how you could reuse wine-bottle corks? Through the years, some of my readers have sent in their hints for wine-bottle corks, so I thought I'd share some of the most creative ones with you:
Bind several together to make a pincushion.
Fill a shadow box with corks, wedging the last few in to make a tight fit. Now you have a cork surface on which to display a collection of stick- or hatpins.
Store corn-on-the-cob holders safely by sticking them into a cork.
Glue different-label corks on their side onto a board in an up-and-down pattern to make a decorative corkboard that can be hung in the kitchen for "to do" or shopping lists.
Decorate the perimeter of a framed mirror with corks and hang above the wine bar. Since the winery name is usually stamped on the cork, it's a nice memory.
This is not a reuse for corks, but definitely a great way to preserve special memories that included a bottle of wine or champagne! Write the date, place and a short description of the special time on the cork itself. Collect these in a large vase, and when you want to reminisce on the good times, pull out a cork.
Heloise
Dear Heloise: We loved your high energy when you were at the Perot Theatre in Texarkana, Texas -- you were a hoot!
Here's a hint I'd like to share: Whenever I make a covered dish for a get-together, I write the recipe on index cards in case someone likes the dish. Also, I place one of the cards in front of the dish so folks can see the ingredients. This way, they can tell if they're allergic to anything it's made with and will know not to try any. Rosetta Stalcup, Texarkana, Texas
Dear Heloise: I remove all of the hair from my hairbrushes and then place them on the top rack of my dishwasher with other things that could use a good wash -- for instance, hair clips and any washable hair things, and knickknacks. It works, as all that hairspray is gone, and the things in my bathroom that also have hairspray on them, such as a candleholder minus the candle, my cotton-swab holder minus the cotton swabs, the toothbrush holder minus the toothbrushes and toothpaste -- you get the idea -- are also clean. Linda Amero, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: Here is my hint: I have one of those hot-water attachments on my sink. I fill my empty coffee cup with hot water from this faucet and wait a few seconds. I dump the water and then pour my coffee as usual. This keeps my coffee warmer longer. R. Rogers, Huntsville, Ala.
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate