I am someone who has actually used and is looking for almost used-up pencils, as they have appeared in some of my art pieces! I have been working on what I call a "rattle-bone", which is a musical instrument made from a beautiful piece of deer leg bone with all sorts of funky things attached to provide a "rainstick" sound when shaking (I'll see if I can figure out how to post a picture of one). I am also that person who picks up metal stuff from the gutters and in parking lots (rusty washers, old paperclips, lost earrings, pennies, unidentifiable metal things, etc, etc...
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/att...0&d=1385421180