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You are in: Home > , , , > Green Gift Idea: Customized USB Flash Drive

Green Gift Idea: Customized USB Flash Drive

1 by Beth Buczynski on December 8, 2011

Customized USB Flash Drive

Show your friends how much you care about their data by creating one-of-a-kind USB flash drives that reflect their personal style or interests.

Editor's Note: We're getting into the holiday spirit here at Crisp Green, which means helping you find the crispest, greenest, most innovative gifts for all the tech and design geeks on your list! This week we'll feature great ideas for "Gifts You Can Make." Catch up with last week's "Gifts You Can Grow" series here. Happy Holidays!

USB flash drives are the essential external storage device for anyone with a lot of information they don't want to lose. Most people have more than one to help keep photos and documents organized, and safe from computer crashes.

Unfortunately, most affordable USB flash drives are boring little sticks that are really good at getting lost in the bottom of backpacks and briefcases. For just a few dollars, you can modify an inexpensive flash drive into a unique piece of art that will prevent an unintended switch with the guy next to you at the internet cafe who has the exact same one.

When it comes to modifying USB flash drives, the skies the limit. Here are a few of our favorites:

1. Pink Eraser USB Flash Drive

Rubber Eraser Flash Drive

Here is a link to the step-by-step tutorial and the PDF guide to this build courtesy of Instructables. The rubber of the eraser will help keep the data safe, and conceal the flash drive from those who might want to swipe it.

2. Chewing Gum Pack USB Drive

Chewing Gum USM Mod

According to its designer, =SMART=, the USB device fits in a hole hollowed out of a cardboard strip with another glued on top, and if all is measured well it should slot nicely into the empty packaging. Use some glue to stop the packet sliding off and you’re done. And all in 10 minutes!

3. Wine Cork USB Flash Drive

Wine Cork Flash Drive

Feel better about all the wine you drink by turning the corks into handy gadgets for your friends! Seriously though, just like the rubber eraser, this soft wood case will help keep your data safe and dry.

4. Lego Brick USB Flash Drive

Lego USB Drive

Pay homage to the greatest toy of all time by using Legos to encase a USB drive. The best part is that when you insert the drive into the USB port of your device, the inside of the Lego brick will light up!

h/t to 1800Recycling.com and uplggd.com

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About the Author:

Beth is a freelance copy writer and environmental blogger living in Colorado. She has an M.S. in Public Communication and Technology from Colorado State University, and is passionate about inspiring people to live and laugh more sustainably. Follow her on Twitter as @ecosphericblog

Twitter Follow Beth Buczynski on Twitter: @ecosphericblog

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  1. Handmade Holiday Gift Idea: DIY Laptop Stand (And More!)
    Handmade Holiday Gift Idea: DIY Laptop Stand (And More!)
    December 12, 2011 at 1:25 pm |

    [...] also a round-up of easy customized USB flash drive mods posted over at CrispGreen, and this DIY speaker set that’s perfect for kids or [...]

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