DIY Crate--from Paint Sticks (Tutorial)

Are you ready for another paint stick project?  Hope so!  This one came about out of desperation.  You see, I saw this really great decorative wood box at a craft store that I really really loved and I was desperate to have it! :)  Unfortunately I didn't love the price tag...$30!  Ouch!  I looked around for something else that would fit my narrow shelf, but just couldn't find anything that was the right size.  I was just about to give in and pay the money (I loved it that much) when I was looking at my small stash of paint sticks one night and realized that they would be the perfect size for making a long narrow crate.  Instead of buying a box for $30, I was able to make the crate for only $3.50!   I decided to stain it instead of using paint I had on hand, so I paid $4.50 for a can of stain.  I used very little of it and will be able to use it on other projects. 

Prep for Assembly

What you'll need

4 paint sticks--5 gallon size (you can buy them at Wal-mart or The Home Depot)

1- pine board that is 3/8" deep by 4" wide by 36" long  (buy it pre-cut at Lowes, the price is around $3)

Wood glue

Jute or Rope

Drill

Staple Gun (optional)

Handsaw and miter box (or an electric saw if you have one)

1.  Cut the paint sticks off at the top just where they start to curve. (The first picture shows the extra pieces of wood that you won't use for the crate.)

2.  Decide how tall you want your box (depends on the spacing of the paint sticks), mark and cut the height for the ends of the crate on each end of the pine board (if you're using a hand-saw) and cut them off.  (I cut it from the ends so that I could use the clean edge of the board for the top of the box, the uneven edge from the cut is hidden at the bottom.)  Line up the paint sticks and the box ends with the remaining piece of the pine board, mark it, and then cut it for the bottom of the crate.

3.  Sand any writing off of the paint sticks.

4.  Drill two holes in each of the end pieces for the handles.

5.  Set all of the pieces together and make sure that everything lines up correctly.

Assembly

1.  Glue each end onto the bottom of the crate.  I had to hold the pieces together for awhile until the glue dried enough that when I let go it would hold.  (TIP:  If you are staining the crate, the wood won't stain whereever there is glue, so be careful to keep the wood clean.)

2.  Using a staple gun, staple each end piece to the bottom of the crate.  This was a bit difficult, PLEASE BE CAREFUL and watch your fingers!  Hammer the staples in the rest of the way if necessary.  The staples are just for decoration really, so you can skip this step if you don't own a staple gun.

3.  Apply some wood glue to the sides, put the paint sticks in place, and staple.

The Handles

I think the pictures pretty much show how to make the handles.  I used 6 strands of jute, paired them in two's, and braided them.  Rope would work too.  I used jute because I had it on hand.

Tip:  If you're painting or staining the crate it would be best to add  the handles very last. 

 Finishing 

I stained it with a dark walnut stain.  This goes one very dark, just so you know.  I put just a small amount on a rag and quickly rubbed it on.  The paint sticks absorb the stain quickly so be ready to wipe the excess right off.  I practiced with the ends of the paint sticks, that I cut off to make the crate, first.

If you want, you can sand it down some if the stain is darker than you like.

For my spring decor, I filled it with some greenery and Spanish moss.  The greenery is from JoAnn's and was on sale, buy one, get one free, so it was $10 for two.

There are so many things that you can fill this crate with... 

5 pint jars fit perfectly--you could fill them with fresh flowerspillar candlesclay pots with flowerspine cones in the winterraised candles with flowers around themsmall pumpkins in the fallapplessmall potted plantsyou could line it with plastic and grow wheat grass in it for springor any collection of items you enjoy 

I'm thinking about adding some stenciling to the crate, like...  {insert last name}Shipping Co. Est. {insert year married} 

This isn't the first crate that I've made with paint sticks.  I made a small one last year that I'll show you sometime soon.  Also, I just finished another project yesterday that I made with...you guessed it...more paint sticks!  I should have a tutorial written for it sometime next week. 

Today's Fabulous Find...DIY 'Paint Stick' Crate

I'm entering my crate in DIY Project Party!

Linking up to some of these great parties...

Thrifty Decor Chick

Designer Garden

Elements Interiors