Tag: Thrift Store Challenge

DIY Jewelry Holder
Projects · Thrift Store Challenge

DIY Jewelry Holder

Caitlyn4 Comments

For many years I’ve kept my jewelry in a cosmetic travel bag. I think a big part of my reasoning was that I was always going to be moving again, so I didn’t want to bother with jewelry holders. Eventually though, enough was enough, and I decided it was finally time to pull my jewelry out of the travel bag. Inspired by a pricey (but super nice) jewelry holder, I decided to make my own. I went to the Salvation Army and bought an old $4.00 picture frame as my base. Then I bought some cup hooks, eyelets and cork board and got to work.
In the above supplies you can see my glue gun, but I was actually low on glue sticks after my air plant holder project, so I ended up using some wood glue and a staple gun for adhering the cork board. Other items I used that aren’t pictured were black paint, a paintbrush, round nose pliers and velcro damage-free hanging strips. 

To start, I removed the backing from the frame and measured enough cork board to fill three spaces within the frame. I didn’t notice until after I added the cork to the frame that the cork board edges were visible when looking at the frame from certain angles. I wanted a cleaner look, so I ended up painting the edges black, something that might be easier to do beforehand if you decide to make something similar!I added cup hooks along the bottom of the frame for necklaces and bracelets, and added eyelets with some round nose pliers for hook earrings. Be careful to choose a thick frame if you make this project so the wood doesn’t split from the cup hooks. Mine split a little, but I just reinforced it with wood glue and painted it black. Once everything was in place, I added the velcro damage-free hanging strips to the back of my frame and put it on the wall. jewelry-holderThe last (and most exciting) step was adding my jewelry. I don’t have too many stud type earrings for the cork sections of the jewelry holder, so I might tuck a little picture of Lily in the middle cork section of the frame for now. I like the frame a solid black at the moment, but it could be fun to expand the project by changing the paint color or adding fun designs with washi tape. I love that this was an easy, inexpensive project that looks pretty nice. The best part is that I can finally see what jewelry I have and start wearing more of it again!

xx Caitlyn

Thrift Store Challenge

Thrift Store Challenge Round Two & New Challenge

Caitlyn2 Comments

Challenge Number 2Hey there everyone! It’s December 1st already, and that means it’s time to check in with you on the second round of Little Snail Thrift Challenges. Challenge two was to find something related to the kitchen and use it in a project (original post here). I found loads of ideas on pinterest that I wanted to try and/or adapt, but the only one I actually got around to was wood burning a wooden spoon.IMG_1544I basically copied the design from this pin I found, but I found many other cool ideas for wood burning wooden spoons that I want to try out, too! (Take this one of kitties, for example, these sunflower ones, or this one that has a bee on it!)

IMG_1545I love the idea of creating personalized wooden spoons for friends and family as gifts! Here are a few links to some other fun thrifty kitchen-related projects I’d like to try:

Teacup Bird Feeder
Pretty Vases Out of Tin Cans
Shelves from a Silverware Drawer
Picture Holders/Place Card Holders/Coat Hooks out of Forks
iPad/Cookbook Stand Out of a Cheese Board and Scrabble Piece Holder

 Were you able to participate in this month’s challenge? How did it go for you? For the third Little Snail Thrift Challenge, visit your local thrift store with the winter season in mind. What can you find that can be touched up to add warmth to your days? Is there a picture frame that could become brighter with light blue paint and snow-like glitter? Or some pretty fabric that could be used as a pillow case? Maybe a little snowflake that could be used as a brooch? The due date is January 1st, but as always, you’re welcome to email me, post on instragram or twitter, or leave a comment with your ideas or questions in the meantime! Don’t forget to use the hashtag #littlesnailthriftchallenge!

I can’t wait to see what you come up with this month!
xx Caitlyn

Thrift Store Challenge

Thrift Store Challenge: Update & New Challenge!

Caitlyn2 Comments

It’s already November 1st, and that means a few things: October flew by, the holiday season is on its way, and also our first Thrift Store Challenge is finished.IMG_1254You may remember a couple of weeks ago I started out the first challenge with the items above. I used the basket as a container for all of our mail because I couldn’t find anything that I could use that wasn’t super expensive. Although I haven’t gotten to it yet, I intend to transform the spice rack into an acrylic paint holder (I’ll post pictures when I make it!). And though I haven’t found an “upgrade” for the little clock yet, I did find a use for the Suntory Whiskey bottle and the big clock.IMG_1353                       I put a handmade paper flower in the whiskey bottle–easy and pretty!

IMG_1282Before: the big clock

When I first came upon this clunky hunk of a clock at the thrift store, I nearly passed it by. But once I took it on as part of the challenge, I got to thinking long and hard about what I could do with it and started to get excited about its potential. I decided, first of all, that I hated the look of the numbers, so I tried to sand them off.

IMG_1283Despite my best efforts, a faint outline of the numbers remained. I had gotten an idea to use the clock as a birth announcement for a baby with a space-themed room, but with the stubborn numbers remaining on the clock, I had to re-imagine my design.    IMG_1392Inspired by vintage colors and some tattoo designs, I set to work with my wood burner. When I was satisfied, I used watered-down acrylic paint to fill in the planets, stars, numbers, and a little portion of the letters. I thought the numbers turned out looking much better than they did originally!

IMG_1416Next I stained the wood and let it dry before adding a glossy coat. All that was left was reassembling the clock pieces and getting a battery. I just loved hearing the satisfying tick of the clock when the project was finished. It was fun making something for a friend.

I really enjoyed hearing a few stories via email and Facebook about your approaches to last month’s challenge. This month, find something related to the kitchen and use it in a project. Bonus points: relate your project to Thanksgiving! The due date is December 1st, but please email me, post on instragram or twitter, or leave a comment with your ideas or questions in the meantime! And don’t forget to use the hashtag #littlesnailthriftchallenge!

Good luck!
xxCaitlyn

Thrift Store Challenge

Thrift Store Challenge~!

Caitlyn5 Comments

Hi everyone! I just got home from work, and from time to time when I’m walking home, I’ll stop by one of the local thrift stores to see if anything catches my eye. Today I stopped and ended up coming home with several fun items that I am super excited to transform. I have a few ideas rolling around already, but I was thinking it might be fun if YOU got involved in a thrift store challenge with me!

Here’s what I suggest: 1) Choose 3-5 items from your local thrift store, 2) Transform them or update them or find a new use for them, etc., and 3) leave a comment about your project and/or a link to your blog/pinterest/etc. that showcases your approach to the challenge in the comment section below by November 1st! Once the deadline passes, I’ll post some of my favorites in another Thrift Store Challenge post. We can keep it going monthly, and change the conditions of the challenge as we go (for example, next month perhaps we could all try to make something in particular!). Let me know if you have any suggestions!

Here’s what I’ll be working with:

IMG_1253Two clocks, a dirty old spice rack, an empty Suntory Whiskey bottle, and a rectangular basket. All of these items cost less than two dollars each.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with. If you want to post about your project before November 1st, feel free to use the hashtag #littlesnailthriftchallenge on instagram, twitter, etc.!

xx Caitlyn