If you’re left with cuttings from a large-scale driftwood project then don’t be tempted to throw them away. Here are five creative ways to use leftover driftwood.

1. Fish tank decoration: If you own an aquarium then real driftwood can make an attractive alternative to the artificial stuff sold in pet shops. Not only will it look more authentic, it should also cater successfully for wood-eating fish such as pleco. Make sure you clean and soak driftwood before placing it in your fish tank, and boil it for one to two hours to be on the safe side.

2. Create flower arrangements: It might not be the first material that springs to mind when it comes to flower arranging – but driftwood can add a nautical touch to any vase. It works both as a focal point and as a detailed addition; and you could even consider using it as a substitute ‘pot’ for rootless plants.

3. Design jewellery: Anybody with a little creative flair and good attention to detail can design and make driftwood jewellery. You’ll need to invest in a pair of jeweller’s pliers, a dremel tool and a small drill head for working the wood, but the process of creating pieces is reasonably straightforward. Beads can be fashioned simply by holding a small piece of driftwood in the pliers and shaping it with the dremel. Give them a little colour by painting or staining them after completion.

4. Get creative: When it comes to making use of driftwood cuttings, the sky really is the limit. Small pieces of wood can be made into fashion ornaments, candleholders and picture frames, while larger pieces are perfect for creating fruit bowls, display stands, bowls or mirrors. Other potential uses include serving spoons, bathroom shelves and loo brush holders.

Driftwood is becoming an increasingly fashionable interior decoration, so you may find that your pieces are widely marketable. There are plenty of opportunities to sell driftwood products using the internet as a medium, and some people turn their craft hobby into thriving businesses. Even if you’re not planning on giving up the day job, making driftwood pieces could help to boost your savings. Make sure you see the financial benefits by opening a separate account with an international bank such as Santander, which offer good rates of interest on its savings accounts, and setting your profit aside for a rainy day.