If you read my previous post then you know that a few weeks ago, I was sent a box of random thrift store items (aka junk) to up-cycle. Last week I showed you my concrete wall art made from the thrift store signs from that box of castoffs. This week I am going to show you how I took that other odd thrift store item and turned it into a Homework / Art Supply caddy! But just in case you have trouble finding a wooden basket I included a plan “B” for you. I made a homework caddy from a simple drink carrier and I will show you how to do that as well.
Homework Supply Caddy from Thrifted wooden Basket
And Simple Homework Supply caddy from a Drink Carrier
Let’s talk about the thrifted box first. Here is the box/basket I started with in all it’s grape glory…
I wasn’t exactly sure what it was meant for and I certainly didn’t plan on hanging it on the wall. I had several creative ideas on how to make this into something completely different but at the end of the day I was going to be the one stuck with what ever wacky creation I came up with so I went with something I needed in my house, a homework supply station for the kids. Okay I admit I have a few homework supply caddies for the kids already but they are ugly and I want a cute one. Now is my chance to remedy that problem.
Homework Caddy Process
I started by sanding the caddy and making a divider out of scrap wood.
After painting the caddy white, I decided I couldn’t live with the extra holes so I filled them in by cutting a dowel rod and gluing in the plugs. When the glue was dry I used wood filler to fill in any remaining gaps and then sanded the excess.
To cut the dowel rod I used a tiny miter box. In my house, we affectionately call this little guy Ant Man’s miter box. I don’t know where you buy one of these because I borrowed this one from my Dad’s basement workshop. I use the term borrowed loosely since I have had it for a long time and I hide it every time I know he is going to stop by. Love you Dad.
Decorating the Homework Caddy
The caddy is fully functionally now and all the is left to do it make it pretty. I used my silhouette to make the “create” label and a gazillion circles.
It was pretty cute with just the vinyl and I almost left it like this. But I had my heart set on navy so after I put on the vinyl I gave it a good coat of navy spray paint. I let the paint dry and then peeled off the vinyl. Whala…one navy and white caddy.
Plan “B” DIY Home work Caddy
But what if you don’t have a wooden box? For years I have used simple drink holders to hold all the kids supplies and it has worked great. All that is needed is something like this root beer packaging. I have also used the smaller 4 pack packaging and those work well for this too.
As you can see it will need some reinforcing if it is going to become a supply caddy so you will need some cardboard or heavy cardstock. Start by cutting a bottom piece to slip in for strength.
Next cut cardboard pieces to attach with glue to the dividers in the packaging. I also cut the front of my box so it wouldn’t be too deep for items like glue sticks and erasers.
Time to Decorate…
Your box should be good and sturdy now so you are ready to decorate. I spray painted mine white first.
From here you can have the kids decorate it with crayons or stickers or what ever else their heart’s desire. I gave mine stripes by adding painters tape and sprayed it again with the navy spray paint. I like Rust-oleum painters touch 2x ultra cover spray paint. The navy color was Rust-oleum’s Midnight Blue.
Homework time in my house isn’t exactly fun times but having all the supplies in one place helps a lot. I hope you get a chance try one of these projects and make one for yourself.
Happy Creating,
To see my previous thrift store upcycle project check out DIY Decorative Concrete Sign Art
And if you liked my flowers, check out how I always arrange my own with cheap flowers from the grocery store. Fyi, if you need more filler in your flower arrangement grab some mint from your garden. It fills in gaps nicely and smells great too! I used that trick in the pink arrangement in the black and white caddy photo.
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This is such a cute project and a great up-cycle!
Nice work! …..I think you mean “voila!” (French) and not “whala”.
You did a great job making something old new again!! Thanks for linking up at Welcome Home Wednesdays!! You’re a feature this week! Yay! Congrats 🙂
I really love this! I’ll take one too please! Especially the wooden one, I could put all my paintbrushes and paint markers and blenders in one place, my work area would look so much neater! You did a great job cutting the inserts and cutting the dowels to fill the holes. I am so impressed with your skills! Pinning, I want to make one something like this for our home too! Thanks.
What a super cute idea. I will be featuring this tomorrow night at my Sizzle into Summer party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured Button. Thanks. http://diybydesign.blogspot.com
Love these! I need to make one for my son because he is always misplacing his homework supplies and then it makes homework time that much harder for us. Thanks for sharing at the Wednesday Showcase party. Pinned!
Thanks Kati! I have used them for years and keep them in a cupboard in the kitchen. Its great because the kids get home from school and get out what they need in their own which is a win for us moms! Have a great week. XO – Jenny
I don’t know that I necessarily need a homework caddy. But, I LOVE THIS! I want one! Haha! I’m hoping to start grad school in the spring. I might just have to make myself one of these as a little present to get me excited for all the extra work I’m about to take on. 😉
Such creative ideas! Really cute – now I know what to do with those drink caddies.
Nicole | The Professional Mom Project
This is so stinking cute. I love actually loved it with the plain white and black. But I must say the navy blue made it stand out so much more. I love creative uses for things we would have just thrown away anyway. I may have to go and find me a cardboard box to make a supply caddy for my own desk. I have a cricut I never use but I have heard the silhouette is so much better because you can hook it up to a computer edit it so much easier. What are you thoughts on that?
HI TESS!!! I was into the black and white one myself! 🙂 As for the cricut vs the silhouette I don’t know that I can make a educated comparison since I haven’t used a critut in about 7 years and things change. I can say I am so impressed with the versatility of the silhouette!! My favorite things about it is that any font on my computer will work with the design software that they give you. I like having access to thousands of designs at my finger tips online and I have even made my own with the software. Sky is the limit with the silhouette so I’m a big fan. It is worth looking into.
Wishing you a great day Tess!! xo, Jenny
Great idea! I’ll be creating something like that when my crew gets a little older. I have made so many things from those cardboard beverage containers. They are beyond handy! Visiting from Wednesday Showcase.
I love this, where were you when I was in school. Whenever I throw out one of those cartons I always think to myself, “I can make something out of this”, and you make it look so easy.
Thanks
Thats funny Celeste, I can see we think alike. I too am always thinking, “I am sure this could be made into something” as I am tossing things out. And then my husband is standing behind me saying “for pete’s sake just throw it away already”. Lol. The caddy is easy. It’s not the fanciest but I can honestly say it works.
SO cute Jenny, I love that idea and soon it’s back to school time here, so this would come in very handy! 😉 Have a great day!