This project was a spin-off of a spin-off of a spin-off (which I will be posting about later). I figure at this point it counts as my own idea. Especially since it turned out so well!
This is a Christmas present for my elder niece. A little while ago, I gave her all my earrings, because I can’t wear them anymore. So I figured I would build her something to store/display them, along with any other jewelry she has.
So for this project, I had everything I needed on hand, though I did purchase my very own hot glue gun for the event. It was definitely much smaller, easier to hold, and less burn-y than the one my dad has.
You will need several straight-ish sticks, with protruding smaller branches. It being windy season here in St. John’s, these were easy to find. I also had a swatch of vintage-style lace that my mother gave me when I was studying at home last year.
And I found these segments of wood in the dilapidated shed in my backyard. I’m pretty sure, due to their thickness and the fact that one of the pieces has part of “St. John’s” written on it, that it’s from some packing crate from some time ago. I scrubbed off the cobwebs and left them to dry overnight.
Then I sanded off all the rough bits.
You will also need some nails or screws to keep your wood together. I have this jar of copper clouting nails that belonged to my great-grandfather (you can tell, because he labelled it). I like the colour of the bright nail heads, plus the thinness and the tapering of these particular nails means they won’t split the wood grain as much as a regular nail. But they’re pretty much just large carpet tacks, so I have to keep in mind that they’re not that strong.
So first I hammered together the basic frame of the crate. Now, I don’t have a vise, or any clamps. So I’m using my knee. Clever, I know.
I like the studded effect of many nails.
Cut the lace to the size of the frame. The lace is how my niece will hang up her earrings, and will provide a nice background for the rest of the stuff.
Using hot glue, fasten the fabric to the frame on all sides.
Trim off the excess.
Add another line of glue and fold down the raw edge.
So here’s the front.
And the back.
Now I’m going to add a few more pieces of packing crate to the back, you know, to make it look a bit more like a packing crate.
Now to add the sticks. Trim them to fit the inside of the frame and fix them in place with hot glue.
Keep going until you’re satisfied with how it looks. Here it is, in the setting sun.
And the back.
And with some of my jewelry on it.
A brooch stuck in the lace.
Even a wee branch for rings.
I hope she likes it!
Ali Does It Herself 