How to Repurpose a Souvenir Spoon Display Into a Jewelry Hanger

It's simple to make a unique and inexpensive necklace and bracelet holder by repurposing a common thrift store find, a wooden display for souvenir spoons.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• wooden spoon rack
• sandpaper
• acrylic paint
• rub-on transfers
• stamps
• sealer or glue
• paintbrush or sponge

1. Visit your local thrift store or flea market and look for a wooden spoon display, the kind that people use to show off souvenir spoons. Keep in mind that there should be enough space to hang several necklaces and bracelets.

2. If the wood has a shiny, smooth finish some light sanding may be required. Using fine grit sandpaper, go over the whole front of the piece to rough it up a little bit. This will help the paint to adhere.

3. 

   Choose your base color. I used black for this project, but any color will work, so have fun choosing one that reflects your personality and decor! Use a paint brush or sponge (the kind that comes with stencil kits) to completely cover the front of the display with paint. Let the first coat dry for 15 or 20 minutes and then add a second coat. It's a good idea to let the paint dry completely overnight. If you're impatient (like me) let it sit in front of a fan to speed up the drying process.

4. After the paint is completely dry, it's time to add embellishments. This is where the rub-on transfers and stamps come in. The hanging jewelry will usually cover up most of the center of the piece, so try to keep most of the embellishments around the outer edges. Rub-on transfers and stamps were used to embellish the sample shown. Follow the instructions on the package of rub-on transfers carefully. Intricate designs tear easily and require gentle treatment. White permanent ink (used for the owl stamp) shows up nicely against the black background. Some vintage text adds interest and personality. Let the ink dry thoroughly so it doesn't get smudged when sealer is used.

5. 

   The final step is a sealer to protect the surface and enhance the beauty of the piece. Triple-thick Krylon glaze, which gives a very shiny, glass-like finish, was used in the sample project, but decoupage medium or a spray sealer can also be used. Let the sealer dry at least overnight.

Tips & Warnings

• Use sealer in a well-ventilated area.

[dtwelloh]

on 5/2/2009 Great step by step. 5*