8. Complete with "L" brackets on corners. Add gifts and deliver!

DIY Sheet Metal Gift TraysDIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays

The holidays are fast approaching and it’s time to start thinking about gift giving ideas! Gift trays are a great way deliver gifts to your friends, neighbors or teachers. The best part of a gift tray is it can be reused for anything they want and nothing goes to waste! Follow along with this tutorial to see how to make these DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays.

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials: Sheet Metal Gift Tray

  • 1/2″ or 3/4″ Plywood scrap wood
  • 2″ pieces of lathe or scrap moulding
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B000W49NPC’ text=’Sheet metal scrap’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4f103892-cbe2-11e7-a00c-3fda84932599′] (large enough to cover plywood base)
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00009OYFY’ text=’Sheet metal snips’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’56db011a-cbe2-11e7-88c9-230adf5bdb2c’]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B000S7ZSTS’ text=’Construction adhesive’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’65c9549d-cbe2-11e7-8619-39ed35fc6585′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B000DZF2Q4′ text=’Caulk gun’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’6d3fe28c-cbe2-11e7-bb25-e144f3be5a89′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B00125NQBC’ text=’Sandpaper’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7f0ff979-cbe2-11e7-b34f-fb2f071c5869′]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B001JYVDSE’ text=’Steel wool’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8e654c5e-cbe2-11e7-b495-0ffc93a9294c’]
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B01I7DNOYA’ text=’Gloves’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b09e21ba-cbe2-11e7-91af-d908a698cd02′]
  • Drill
  • Pencil or Marker
  • 4 – [amazon_textlink asin=’B01N6NID4X’ text=’L brackets’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’de9d5670-cbe2-11e7-84b2-2f143e838863′] and 1/2″ wood screws
  • [amazon_textlink asin=’B001PNH8D8′ text=’Brad nails ‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0337c2d4-cbe3-11e7-b1d7-3dfa06c67bf1′]Nail gun

Instructions:

Cut your piece of plywood to the desired size for the tray base. Lay the plywood base on top of the sheet metal and trace with a permanent marker. Use tin snips to cut the metal to size.

1. Cut base and mark sheet metal size.

Put on your safety gloves and use the sanding block to remove some of the shine from the sheet metal. Smooth over any sharp edges.

2. Sand Sheet metal edges and base.

Rub the steel wool over the entire sheet metal piece to give it a soft polished finish.

4. Use steel wool to dull sheet metal surface.

Load a tube of construction adhesive into your caulk gun. Apply a fair amount of adhesive to the plywood. Glue the sheet metal to the top of the plywood.

5. Add Construction Adhesive to wood base

Press the sheet metal down evenly on top of the adhesive. Wipe off any excess if needed with a paper towel.

6. Press sheet metal on top of wood base.

Cut the 2″ pieces of lathe or scrap moulding to the length of the two shorter sides. Next, measure and cut two pieces of lathe for the long ends. (Be sure to allow extra length to overlap the short pieces of lathe/moulding.  Use the construction adhesive and brads to secure the lathe to the sides of the plywood. Clamp the sides until the adhesive cures.

8. Clamp sides while glue cures.

Once the adhesive is cured, remove your clamps. Attach the L brackets on the lower half of each corner using 1/2″ wood screws. The L brackets will reinforce the sides and add an industrial look.

9. Add corner brackets for extra support and decoration.

There you have it! These DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays are easy to make, look great, and are an extra special and environmentally-friendly way to give gifts!

10. Add gifts and deliver!

I hope you love this project. Do you have other ideas for quick gift giving? Please share!

Want some more gift giving inspiration?

DIY Scrap Moulding Trays

scrap-moulding-trays

Make a Driftwood Gift Crate

Make a Driftwood Gift Crate | Pretty Handy Girl

How to build an easy scrap wood multiuse caddy

How to build an easy scrap wood multiuse caddy

Hey everyone!! It’s Shara here again from Woodshop Diaries to bring you a simple, versatile, and really fun project. It’s a scrap wood caddy!

I hesitate to put a label on what type of caddy it could be because you can carry whatever you want inside. Cleaning supplies, tools, craft knick knacks, gardening accessories — the possibilities are endless!

The size is easy to customize and you only need a few tools and some scrap plywood. If you don’t have any scraps, pick up a quarter sheet of 3/4” or 1/2” plywood at the lumber yard or big box store to make this.

If you’re ready to get building, here’s the plan:

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Cut List:

(Keep in mind: you can customize for different size scraps or for a larger or smaller caddy)

  • (2) pieces 3/4” x 8” x 19” (front and back)
  • (1) piece 3/4” x 8” x 17 ½” (bottom)
  • (2) pieces 3/4” x 8” x 8” (sides)
  • (1) piece 3/4” x 8” x 12” (middle divider w/ handle cutout)
  • (2) pieces 3/4” x 8” x 6 ½” (middle dividers)

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut out middle divider with handle

Cut your scraps to 8” wide to make the build easier. (If you don’t like 8”, you could make it another size, but the cut list will change slightly.)

Scrap wood DIY Cleaning Caddy

Take a piece of 8” wide x 12” tall and mark the center. Measure and mark 2” to each side of the center and 5” down. Draw diagonal lines to connect the marks as shown:

How to make a multiuse caddy

Use a miter saw to cut the diagonal corners off.

How to make a multiuse caddy

Draw a handle hole. To make this an easy task, drill two holes first (using a drill bit or hole saw) to get the blade in.

How to make a multiuse caddy

Then cut along your line.

How to make a multiuse caddy

Sand your edges smooth.

Step 2: Cut out the front and back sides

Cut two pieces of your plywood to 8” x 19”. Find the center of one of the pieces lengthwise. Flip the middle divider from step 1 upside down and center it on the 8″ x 19″ plywood. The top of the divider should line up 3” from the bottom of the plywood. Trace the diagonal cut out onto the plywood and cut out using a jig saw. Trace the same shape onto the second 8″ x 19″ plywood piece and cut out to match.

How to make a multiuse caddy

Step 3: Assemble the bottom

Cut the bottom piece* (8” x 17 ½”) and 2 side pieces (8” x 8”).

*If you are using 1/2” scrap plywood instead, be sure to add an extra 1/2” to the length of your bottom piece.

Glue and nail the pieces together as shown below. You can use hammer and nails, but a nail gun would be ideal to save time and prevent pieces from moving while you assemble.

How to make a multiuse caddy

Step 4: Attach sides

Glue and nail the front and back pieces from step 2 to the sides and bottom from step 3.

How to make a multiuse caddy

Step 5: Assemble the middle dividers

Cut the 2 middle dividers from the cut list (8” x 12”). Measure and mark the vertical centers of the divider pieces. Make sure that the piece with the handle is centered on the middle dividers. This will make your inside “compartments” the same size.

How to make a multiuse caddy

Glue and nail these pieces to the handle cut out piece from step 1.

How to make a multiuse caddy

Step 6: Add dividers

Slide the dividers into the box you made in step 4 and make sure to center it. Nail the dividers in place through the front and back of the caddy. You can add a couple nails in the bottom as well, just be careful that you don’t miss and have stray nails coming up through the bottom of your caddy.

How to make a multiuse caddy

Give your caddy a good sanding and it’s good to go. You can add paint or stain, but I left mine natural.

How to build an easy scrap wood multiuse caddy

This caddy could be used for cleaning supplies. . .

How to build an easy scrap wood multiuse caddy

. . . craft supplies. . .

How to build an easy scrap wood multiuse caddy

. . . tools or any small things you want to organize.

How to build an easy scrap wood multiuse caddy

Don’t you love a good scrap wood project? Me too! For more fun scrap wood projects, check out this DIY personalized lazy Susan made from 2x scrap boards, or this floating mirror shelf made from a scrap 2×4.

You may also like these simple scrap wood caddies:

Rustic Branch Handled Caddy

Mini Picket Fence Caddy

Until next time, happy building!

Shara's Signature

~ Read more of Shara’s tutorials ~

How to Update Old Canvas Art

How to Update Old Canvas Art

Hello, everyone! Brittany here from by Brittany Goldwyn. Today I have a wall art tutorial for you that’s easy and cheap but has a massive impact! This is how to update an old canvas art!

The original canvas was a piece we bought many years ago during an Ikea trip. It holds the dubious title of being the only thing I’ve ever regretted purchasing from Ikea. I don’t even know why we got it…it isn’t my style. We needed something about this size for a space in our old apartment, so I settled. It isn’t a good idea to settle on something you look at every day. 🙂

So instead of chucking the canvas, it collected dust until I decided to use it for a project.Now I’m so happy I had it for this project!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Optional:

Instructions:

Step 1: If your old canvas is very colorful, you might want to paint over it. Many tapestries are thin and lightweight, and you don’t want to be able to see the canvas’s original design through the fabric.

How to Update Old Canvas Art

Grab the closest can of neutral-colored paint you have on hand and use a little roller like this for quick coverage:

How to Update Old Canvas Art

Step 2: After the painted canvas is completely dry, iron your tapestry. Time to begin attaching it to the canvas. To get an idea of how you want to place your tapestry, prop the canvas up against a wall and drape the tapestry over it. Make marks on the back of the tapestry if necessary.

How to Update Old Canvas Art

Step 3: Lay the tapestry over a large workspace face down. The floor is fine if you don’t have a big desk or counter. Carefully lower your canvas onto the tapestry according to the placement you decided in step 2.

How to Update Old Canvas Art

Step 4: Begin attaching the tapestry to the canvas by folding the fabric over the back of the canvas and stapling in a straight line.

How to Update Old Canvas Art

Step 5: Once one side is completely secured, use your scissors to trim the fabric on the remaining three sides. Remember to leave enough on each side to fold over and staple in place.

Tip: Occasionally prop the canvas up and check for wrinkles or uneven stapling. You want to pull the fabric tight as you’re stapling each side in place. Staple opposing sides first. Start with the bottom, then pull the fabric up around the top and attach there. Then tackle the sides. When you staple the sides in place, wrap the corners tight and neat like you would a present.

How to Update Old Canvas Art

Ready to see the final updated canvas? First here’s a reminder of the before…

How to Update Old Canvas Art

And the after! I’m in love. Isn’t he adorable? And it was such an easy update, too!

How to Update Old Canvas Art

If you liked this, definitely check out my abstract painted black and gold leaf canvas art, which uses an old canvas as well! Or my oversized faux canvas wall art, which is so massive that I had to build my own frame! You might also like Brittany’s tutorial for creating a giant abstract ocean painting.

How to Paint Giant Abstract Ocean Painting

Until next month, Pretty Handy Girl readers!

Read More of Brittany Goldwyn’s Tutorials ~

Pretty Handy Girl | Air Plant Display

Pretty Handy Girl | Air Plant Display

Hi everyone! This is Lindi, visiting again from Love Create Celebrate. Is it fall where you are? I live in Northern Canada and autumn has definitely come to my neck of the woods! The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and the apple pies are baking. Fall is my favorite season! I know that we all decorate for fall with pumpkins and leaves, but I love incorporating copper into my fall decor. This little Air Plant Display looks great in any season, but really shines during autumn!

Pretty Handy Girl | Air Plant Display

We recently had to replace our old dishwasher (long sad story…), that had old soft copper tubing. My husband knows me so well that he saved this without even asking me. He was sure I would want to DIY something with it, and he was 100% correct (for once! haha). My mind was swimming with ideas. Since I’m mildly obsessed with these no-soil, low maintenance air plants, I thought I would combine the two!

Pretty Handy Girl | Air Plant Display

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials: 

Instructions: 

This project couldn’t be easier! Just grab your copper tubing and cut it to the sizes you want using the pipe cutter.

Then mold your baking clay into a base for your plants. You can press the edges on a flat surface and use a knife to cut the edges straight.

Set the copper pipe into the clay base. Then bake it together (as per the instructions on the clay package).

Since I’m a visual learner, I made a quick DIY video to show you how to do it yourself:

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel on YouTube!

Pretty Handy Girl | Air Plant Display

Do you like copper as much as I do? What do you think of this project? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Pretty Handy Girl | Air Plant Display

If you love the look of copper, be sure to check out the Copper Fall Wreath I made last year!

Pretty Handy Girl | Air Plant Display

For more DIY decor inspiration visit Love Create Celebrate.

Lindi Signature~ view more projects by Lindi ~

10 Cool DIY Gifts for Handy Guy or Girl on Your List

10 Cool DIY Gifts for Handy Guy or Girl on Your List

As an avid DIYer, I know that Father’s Day is a good time to pick up great bargains on DIY tools and more. Sometimes picking out the right gift for that handy person in your life can be a little daunting. Therefore, I’ve created a list of cool products that I love and I know your “handy” person would too. And, hey, if this list is for the handy gal instead, then so be it!

Here are 10 Cool Gifts that Every Handy Guy (or Gal) Would Love, to fit any budget (contains affiliate links.) Read more