How to Customize Your Own Desk Pen Holder

Possible pen holder design

Your desk is an ugly mess where nothing makes sense. Heck, half the time you can't even find your pen. You can clear up the lost pen issue, while adding a beautiful addition to the top of your workspace when you customize your own desk pen holder. Boring, traditional pencil cups will never do when you realize you can keep your pens in a jazzy holder.

Things You'll Need

• Empty glass jar
• Razor blade
• Two colors of spray paint
• Paint markers
• Sealer, such as polyurethane

Instructions

1. Prepare your jar. Find an empty glass jar that is just the right size for at least five pens. Good choices include a peanut butter, small pickle, salsa or other medium-size jar. Soak the jar overnight in a sink full of soapy water to loosen the label. Scrape the label off with a razor blade once the label has been soaked and is soggy. Run the jar through the dishwasher or handwash thoroughly.

2. Paint your jar. Pick two colors of spray paint that compliment each other. Spray the darker or bolder color first, then add accents with the lighter color. Make sure to cover both the outside and inside of the jar, as well as the bottom and all the top lip's ridges. Allow to dry.

3. Decorate your jar. Use paint markers to draw little faces, polka dots, spider webs or any other design you desire around the outside of the jar. Allow to dry.

4. Spray with sealer. Coat both the inside and outside of the jar with a sealer, such as polyurethane, to help keep the paint from chipping.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint the jar's lid at the same time so you have a matching desk accessory to use as a coaster or paper clip holder. Spray paint and paint markers are available at art supply and craft stores.

• Don't keep your jar too close to the edge of your desk. It's glass, remember.