DIY Crafts – Chevron End Table

My sister has shared her love for chevron print with me and with my new found love for chevron I decided to paint some end tables I had. I'm moving to a new apartment at the end of the week and wanted to change up my decor a bit. Right now my decor is basically free things my siblings and friends have given me, but I wanted my new place's vibe to actually be planned. So I thought why not try out chevron.

I had two old Ikea tables that a former boss gave me. Some of the paint was chipping away so I decided to scrape the paint. BAD IDEA! My dad later let me know that you shouldn't scrape paint off compressed wood, but instead use a chemical paint remover. OOPS!

I bought a few cans of white spray paint that had primer mixed in. The primer mix is really important. I also bought a dual spray paint that was black + primer. And don't forget your painters tape.

I sprayed the top and the edges white first. That took a lot of coats to make it even. [I didn't take a picture because I forgot sorry.]

After the white paint was dried I taped off the chevron design with painters tape. My first table came out better because I went over the tape with a card making sure the tape was really sealed. I didn't want any of the black paint getting under the tape. So I strongly suggest doing this because it will suck if you find out the tape wasn't pressed and sealed perfectly. Trust me!

I then sprayed over it with my dual black + primer spray paint. I decided to spray the edges black because I like black better. It's my personal preference so it is up to you.

After the black was dried I pealed off the tape and voila my table is now chevron print. I did have to go back over with a small paint brush and touch up a few places where the tape was covering part of the edges. But I thought it turned out pretty great.

My sister said the legs needed to be white and my dad said they should be black. Basically the legs needed to be one of the two colors and not a third color. I decided black because my new sofa would be white and I didn't want too much white. Also I just like black better.

So when I painted my second table I sprayed the legs black when I was spraying over the tape. And this is why I said earlier to make sure the tape is sealed, because I didn't with this second table and I wasn't as happy with the results. The black paint spread under the tape and when I took it off I was very annoyed. I had to go over almost all of it with a paint brush! The lines didn't come out as sharp as the first one. I did however like the legs painted. But basically if I get really bored and have the time I might just redo it if I decide to keep these end tables for a while longer.

The last step I did was seal the paint. Once they had dried for a good time I used mod podge. I use mod podge for everything, and I didn't feel like going to the store for something else. My little brother works with wood and he said it would be fine. Now the stores also have a sealer for wood if you want that instead. But I just wanted something that wouldn't make the paint chip and would keep it from peeling. But the more official stuff would probably be better and last longer. Think about if people put cups on the surface and what not.

I bought all my stuff from Walmart because it made it easier than going to different stores. And I like that at Walmart the spray paint is right there, but other stores have it behind a locked glass case and I can never find a worker to open it for me.

I like my tables and for my first big paint project all by myself I think they turned out great. Not to mention I can say I made them and even if someone else makes some too, mine are one of a kind. Share your own photos if you have and chevron projects or if you have tips to make them better!

Happy crafting!

DIY Crafts - Necklace Board

I finished another of this past weekend's crafts! I woke up and was watching the HGTV channel. That channel is dangerous because there are so many good shows! During one of the commercials I saw this idea. [Also check out the DIY Network.]

It was on the show where the lady redesigns closets and she hung knobs on the wall. I am currently moving every year so I can't really put that much work into permanent things. I previously hung adhesive hooks on the wall to hold my necklaces but I wanted something a little more cute.

So I decided to use the knob ideas in a sense that would be easy to move when I move!

I had an old cork board that I was ready to do something crafty with and it worked out great.

Painted board

Things you'll need:
• Cork board
• Paint
• Mod Podge
• Felt or fabric
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Decorative drawer knobs
• Flat tacks
• Optional: extra decorations

Paints I mixed

Step 1: I painted the old cork board by mixing paints to create a color I liked.

Knobs

Knobs after screw removed

 





 Step 2: While I was waiting for the paint to dry, I decided to work on the knobs. [I bought them on sale from Hobby Lobby.] I needed to take the screw part off. It was harder than it looked but my friend made me look weak and just basically unscrewed the knob from the stem screw with pliers.

Tack added to knob

Step 3: I hot glued the flat tacks to the end of the knob. [I chose hot glue because it was what I had but I would guess it could be done with super glue too.]

I wanted to tack the knobs onto the board so I could rearrange them and it felt like a stronger hold. I hot glued one but it doesn't hold up the same weight and it could be because of the fabric or type of glue. Tacking or gluing the knobs is up to you.

Step 4: Now I went back and added Mod Podge over the paint. [It can be found where ever craft supplies are sold.]

Broken board

Step 5: I used felt sheets I bought from Michael's. You could use fabric as well. I wanted to cover the board because it was old and there were cracks in the cork. I cut the felt to how it would fit on the board.

Felted board

Arranging felt on board

Step 6: I hot glued the felt onto the board. [You could staple it but I didn't want the staples to be visible.]

Arranging knobs

 Step 7: I then stuck the new tack knobs on the board how I liked them. (After trying to hot glue one of them.)

Step 8: And I decorated the border of the board with jewels and flowers that I had on hand.

You could add a border on the cork part or the wood part. Decorating it is strictly up to you.



Step 9: Add your necklaces and enjoy. Hang the new board up in your closet or where ever you prefer.

Finished board :)

[Buy extra knobs because when we were taking the screw stem off one broke. And you may need more than you think. I need to go back and buy more since I have a lot of necklaces.]

You can hang a lot of necklaces on one knob or just a few. It depends on how many you have and how visible you want them. The bigger the board the more space you have! This was really simple and would make for a great gift!

Share this with your friends and post yours if you try it! Enjoy!