pier one tray entable

This gorgeous tray table from Pier One runs an excruciating $130 including shipping. It can however, be made for as little as $25 and serve as an adorable end table or serving tray. Here's how!

You can find tray tables with flat tops at department stores like Walmart and K-Mart and Target, individually for as little as $20 for a set of two (sometimes less!). That will be the base to which you'll apply a breakfast tray like you see in the photo to the left.

You can often find breakfast trays like that at places like garage sales, thrift stores, or flea markets. It doesnt have to be decorative... as a matter of fact, for this project, if its weathered or beaten up, it may even just add that little bit of character that you need for the project. Plan on bargain hunting and finding a nice one for no more than $5. If you cant find one you like, keep hunting at department stores, and try to stay under $10-15 (your total cost will go up but will still be SIGNIFICANTLY less than Pier One charges!). *REMEMBER* - you will want to measure your tray table to make sure that your breakfast tray is at least the width and length of the tray. Its fine if its bigger than the tray, but smaller will not work.

Once you have your breakfast tray and tray table, you'll need to attach the two! Because breakfast trays are often very thin on the bottom, it would be very difficult to attach it without having nails or screws showing through. SO, for this project, we're going to use an adhesive called "Liquid Nails." Its wonderful stuff, that you can find in any home improvement section or store for next to nothing. Simply follow package directions and attach the breakfast tray to the tray table.

To get the look you want, use any acrylic craft paints you have on hand to distress and color the tray. Dont forget to use sand paper to distress it a bit, and add some character. You can use stamps, photos, or decoupage to decorate easily and for next to nothing.

Have fun making this little project and you'll save a bundle decorating your home!

Sports Themed Drawer Pulls

We all like that taylored look that comes from having the little touches "just right" in a room. In a child's room for example, detailed drawer pulls really make the dresser or desk look fancier, and personalized to their taste (the great thing? you can change them out easily when tastes change!). You can also

These particular knobs to the left are from Pier One Kids. They run $5 for a set of two and the cost for these doesn't even cover shipping. After those costs we're talking a minimum of $10-12 (depending on shipping costs) for two drawer pulls! For a set of six, which is the MINIMUM you would need for a standard dresser, you'll be paying around $22.

at VanDykes.com you can get the same knob for 49-cents a piece if you buy 10 of them. If you want to buy less than that, they're still a steal at 59-cents each ($3.54 for 6) http://www.vandykes.com/product/02221919/ - STILL - i would reccommend going to your local hardware store like Home Depot or Lowes so that you dont have to pay for shipping ($6.50 from VanDykes.com!)

Next, pick up a small 2oz bottle of acrylic craft paint from your local craft shop and a black sharpie marker. Together this should cost you no more than $3 and will be more than enough for this project (and plenty to use later on other projects to save more money!).

You'll need to pick up a pack of screws (measure the width of the front panel of the drawer you are adhering the pulls to, and buy a screw that is approximately 1/2" longer than that width). This should be around 50-cents for a packet that will work for this project.

Once you have your supplies, you'll need to coat the wooden pulls with the paint you purchased. Make sure to do a second coat to get a really crisp look! After it has dried, use your sharpie marker to draw designs on the drawer pulls to fit the "ball" you are wanting to mimic. Once you've completed this step, place the drawer pull on the outside of the drawer, over the drilled hole, and then place the screw through the back of the drawer, and screw into place until the pull stops turning and is flush with the drawer face. Repeat with other pulls and vuah-lah! You now have a tailored decor for any little boys room or any sports enthusiast.

At a cost of just over $7 for 6 pulls, you more than beat Pier One Kids at their price of $22!

Child's Easel from Pier One

Today we're going to be finding a way to make a child's easel for literally HALF the price of what you could buy it for at Pier One. True, there's time and labor involved, but since when has that stopped the avid crafter? :D

Below you will find a link with plans and a list of materials to make an easel almost exactly like this one, only the one you have plans for will actually fold up nicely and fit right under the bed when its not in use! Handy!

For half the cost of what Pier One charges (not including shipping!), you can create an art station for your child that will not only inspire them to create, but will send them the message of your labor of love.

http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/cached_files/9707_files/