Difficulty: Beginner
If you have a desk in your home you know that organization and functionality is key. That doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice style. With a few craft supplies and recyclables you can create custom pencil and tool storage for your desk.
As part of my son A’s mini man cave project I made him a desk. For the top of his desk I wanted to create some storage for things such as pencils, markers, scissors etc. to keep them easily accessible and on theme with the rest of the space.
I went to the craft store and picked out three different scrapbook papers that worked together. I looked through the loose scrapbook paper, not the big packs of coordinated paper, because I don’t scrapbook, so I didn’t want a bunch of leftovers. If you go to a scrap booking store there will be a larger selection, but I was happy with what I found at my local Joann Fabrics.
At home I gathered my scissors, hot glue gun, a measuring tape and tin cans in my recycling. I found a crushed tomatoes can that I used to make either homemade red sauce or bolognese. A small can probably from canned mushrooms and a medium sized can from mandarin oranges.
Three different sizes perfect to hold all sorts of supplies. With a little bit of time and my supplies in hand I created some custom desk storage for just a few dollars.
If you want to try this easy project check out the step by step instructions below and then pick out some stylish scrapbook paper. Don’t forget to dig through your recycling to find some cans. If you don’t have any cans you can make one of these recipes and you will have plenty of cans to choose from. Easy Homemade Red Sauce, Bolognese, Lazy Baked Beans, Healthy and Hearty Italian Vegetable Soup, The Best From Scratch Pumpkin Pie
Let’s get crafting.
Supplies
Multiple tin cans in multiple sizes
Coordinating scrapbook paper (or wrapping paper or wall paper)
Hot glue gun or craft glue
Tape measure
Sand paper (optional)
If possible use a can opener that removes the lid without cutting the metal. If you only have the kind that cuts the lid, no worries you can just sand the sharp edge. Remove the contents of the can and use in a recipe. Wash the can and remove the label.
Take the measuring tape and from the top metal ring to the bottom metal ring on the can. This is the height of the piece of paper you will cut. i measured in between the two rings, so that my paper would fit neatly in between the two rings and have a finished look. If you prefer you can cover those rings with the paper.
Wrap the tape measure around the can. This measurement is the width of the paper you will cut. Be sure to add a 1/4″ to a 1/2″ to that measurement to be sure that the paper has a slight overlap and that the metal will be completely covered.
Draw this rectangle on the wrong side of your paper.
Cut it out.
Run a bead of glue down the height of the can in between the metal rings and attach the wrong side of the paper to the glue. Make sure you line up the paper as you are attaching it to the glue. There isn’t a lot of working time with hot glue.
Once the paper is attached run a bead of glue right along the edge of the paper that you just attached . Wrap the paper around the can pulling taught, but being careful not to rip the paper. Attach the paper to the glue and smooth the edges.
Set aside to dry and repeat with remaining cans.
Once the cans are dry you can fill with any thing you wish and place on your desk or a dresser or bookshelf for an easy storage solution.
