If you love crafting as much as I do, then this Craft Caddy is the ultimate DIY project to help organize your work station and inspire you to create even more. You can make it out of any number of things. It just so happens, I was given an old book shelf.
I should start by saying, I didn’t need the book shelf when it was offered to me. But I thought it was so cute, I couldn’t possibly turn it down. So, instead, I decided to turn it into something I could use, and the idea of a Craft Caddy was born.
My first order of business was to get rid of all the imperfections. Fortunately, they were only nicks and scratches; Nothing that a little wood putty and sanding couldn’t correct.
Next, I painted the shelf a bright white. (You can never go wrong with basic colors, and this white was a paint-and-primer-in-one in a satin finish.) Because of the intricate detailing on the side panels of the bookshelf, I used my paint sprayer. I asked my daughter to take a picture of this part, but I should have specified I wanted a “flattering” picture. Believe me when I say, I’m sparing you from some gnarly ones! (Note to self: baggy sweatshirts are only cute in theory!)
After a few coats of paint, I was happy with the result, and let it dry overnight. Then, I took some beautiful black & white floral contact paper that I’d bought at Walmart, and cut it to fit the back of the shelf.
Because I like working with things I already have, there were only a few things I actually bought for this project. It started with magnetic tins I found at the Dollar store. When I saw them, I knew they were a must as they inspired me to make a metal backdrop that I could frame on one side of the upper shelf.
I picked up an inexpensive black frame at Goodwill, and then went to the hardware store where I found the thin metal sheet to go in it for under two bucks. Score!
Speaking of “score,” here’s my husband scoring and then cutting the metal sheet to fit my frame. Before you write in expressing your disappointment at the fact I had a man do this for me, let me just say one of us has been cut by this exact type of metal before, and the idea of sparks flying, potentially catching my clothes on fire, isn’t my thing.
Next, I wanted a way to display some of my most-used craft paints and ribbons. I used a wood dowel to display the ribbons, and then took a couple of small metal rods and scrap wood to create small shelves perfectly sized to hold small paint bottles.
Finally, I found some smalls bins for storage and filled up my caddy with a few of my favorite arts and craft supplies. Now, it’s a sweet, one-of-a-kind Craft Caddy that I can put on top of a desk, or keep on the floor, depending on where I’m working. Best of all, it will keep my creative clutter organized, while inspiring me to get crafty.
If you like repurposing old furniture, check out another fun project; an old nightstand turned into a child’s play kitchenette. Just click this link http://www.muralsbymarcy.com/repurposed-nightstand/
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