Rack-n-Roll Dispenser

Rack-n-Roll Craft Room Dispenser

Rack-n-Roll Dispenser

My Victorian-inspired Rack-n-Roll dispenser

I know, it’s been a while since I posted anything. I’ve been busy!! I’ll try to do better.

I needed a few small wall shelves for my craft room. I found some very cheap ($5/each) used wooden shelves to recycle into what I wanted. I quickly changed my mind after I got them home. I could use a wall-mounted dispenser more than shelves. Something that could hold all the supplies I use that came on a roll, like various tapes, wax paper, plastic wrap, foil, etc. This is what I came up with. I hope you like it.

old shelves

old used shelves

The shelves were very heavy for their size and made from a wood composite material…not sure what considering the age of them.

cut up and basic assembly

basic assembly

decorative moldings

Experimenting with IOD decorative moldings

altered yardsticks

Altered yardsticks for cross members.

I recycled the metal cutter strips from the boxes all the rolls came in.

Chalk Paint

Chalk Paint, wow what a great invention!

I love chalk paint. It covers almost any surface, no priming of raw wood, and it can be finished with a clear coat of Polycrylic or wax.

black wax

Homemade black wax

Check YouTube for DIY videos on how to make your own soft clear finishing wax (beeswax pellets + baby oil) and how to tint the wax with any unique color you may need.

Rack-n-Roll ready

Rack-n-Roll ready

The Rack turned out even prettier than I imagined!

Bill rolls

Big rolls

A friend discovered my unfinished Rack-n-Roll on the workbench and wanted it. I finished the Rack in the manner requested (with black wax).  I now need to make another for myself maybe with more racks! Good thing I made a pattern, huh.

Fairy House Jar Tea Light

Paper Mache Clay: A New Adventure

Fairy House Jar Tea Light

Fairy House Jar Tea Light

I’ve been wanting to try a timeless technique of using an air dry paper mache clay (p’clay for short), not to be confused with the paper clay used by potters that requires kiln-firing. The downside to this clay is that water completely destroys it. However, there are many artists experimenting with homemade recipes to improve sturdiness and water resistance. Continue reading

YES, I made it myself: Constructing Molds

OJ House

The OJ House still curing.

At my last selling event, once again, someone asked: “Did you really make that yourself, by hand? Well, how did you do that?” Sometimes folks don’t believe that I DO actually create the papercrete items I sell, from the design, the molds, to the painting and finishing of each piece. This post will be a step-by-step breakdown of a custom miniature house to show the amount of work involved in just creating the molds.Continue reading

Crafting With Recycled Aluminum Cans

Windflower Collection

Windflower Collection

This is a continuation of an earlier post: Repurposing aluminum drink can to the max! I want to explain in more detail a few of the crafts I’ve made along with some tips for repurposing aluminum drink cans. Some crafts need specific equipment, others may be created with everyday household items. There are many YouTube videos, Instructables, and Internet crafting tutorials about how to deconstruct an aluminum drink can, so I won’t reinvent the wheel here. However, I do have a few suggestions that might make the chore a little easier.Continue reading

Crafting With Asphalt Shingles

Fairy Castle Cottage Roof

Fairy Castle Cottage sporting her new shingled roof.

Recycling leftover asphalt roof shingles has been an interesting experience for me. I had a small stack of repair shingles stashed away that were no longer needed and I wondered if could I use them for roofing the Fairy’s Castle Cottage. They worked out pretty well and I believe I’ve found another material to craft with!Continue reading