Many people give new life to old wood pallets. I like to scour Craigslist for free stuff — old desks, shelves, chairs, whatever — that I can take apart and salvage their once-beautiful woods. A little sanding, a few passes through a planer, and even the most horrific-looking wood is as good as new. Not only is lumber (and paper, I might add) a renewable resource, but it recycles well. Its what woodworkers have always known and practiced without having to announce it on bumperstickers or eat tofu.
I was delighted to see that Philippe Chretien came up with the clever idea to reuse some old window blinds and make his own rainstick! I love how long the rain sound lasts in his version. Also, Phillipe has posted detailed instructions on Instructables.com. Rock on Philippe: a true Mortal woodworker.