How to Make a Creative Coat Hook

When guests hang their coats, they can enjoy your unusual coat hook.

Coat hooks are not usually the talk of the party, but that's because they are so average and normal. If you want to give your guests a chuckle, create an unusual hook they will tell their friends about. Your creative hook can hold a coat without fail and it will garner a lot of attention. Spend a few minutes assembling your coat hook so you will be ready for your guests' fall and winter garments.

Things You'll Need

• Manikin
• Hacksaw
• Emery board
• Epoxy
• Self-adhesive wall hook
• nail polish

Instructions

1. Locate an old manikin. Watch for stores to remodel and check their trash area to see if they have thrown any manikins out. You don't need an entire manikin, just an arm -- or even just a hand. Some companies specialize is selling used store fixtures, so they may have an old manikin you can pick up cheaply. In addition, check with surplus stores; they occasionally have manikins. As a last option, look for a ring display. These counter-top hands are designed to hold rings for customers to easily view the jewelry.

2. Cut off a manikin finger where it joins the hand. Manikins are made of fiberglass, so you can cut off a finger with a hacksaw. Preserve the finger as much as possible while you cut. You want a complete finger intact. Use an emery board to smooth down the cut end of the finger if jagged threads of fiberglass stick out.

3. Place a self-adhesive wall hook on the back of a door. Once you peel the backing off the self-adhesive pad, press the hook firmly to the surface of the door while it adheres. Test the strength of the hook by placing a coat on it and leaving it for awhile. If possible, use a hook that is the same color as the door so it will blend in. Most self-adhesive hooks come in white, so if that is all you can find, they will work fine.

4. Apply epoxy to the end of the manikin finger. You must mix epoxy just before you use it or else it starts to harden. Mix your epoxy and apply it to the end of the finger where it was cut. Put some on the self-adhesive coat hook as well. Since the finger is hollow, don't pour epoxy down the hole because it may drip out onto your door and floor.

5. Place the finger over the self-adhesive hook. Point the finger up in a "come hither" gesture. Allow it to dry for several hours. Test it by hanging a garment on it.

6. Paint the fingernail of the finger with nail polish. Choose a color, such as hot pink, that really stands out. Carefully paint only the nail area, so it looks like a real fingernail. After the polish dries, you are ready to hang a coat on your new coat hook.

References

• Web Urbanist: 18 Crazy Ways to Hang your Hat or Coat
• Freshome: 25 of the Most Creative Wall Hook Designs
• Amazon.com: Self-adhesive Wall Hooks

Resources

• Modern Mannequin: Models Keep a Body Busy