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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Crayon Organizer with PLAID Paints

Crafting is way more fun when you’re organized.
(We’ll see if my two-year old feels that way. He hasn’t had much time lately for crayons.)
So I made him this.
crayon organizer
I saw this idea for a knockoff Pottery Barn Kids craft organizer and decided to make my own from garbage stuff I already had.

DIY crayon organizer
To duplicate this project, you will need:
round cake pan
baby food jars with lids
one color of spray paint
glue
masking tape
various colors of acrylic paint
I used the Martha Stewart paints that PLAID sent me a month ago.
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I set the jars into the pan to see how many would fit (I used 11) and where I wanted them to be placed.
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I masked off where each jar would go. I didn’t want to paint where I intended to put glue.
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Then I used blue spray paint to cover the pan.
Here’s a spray painting tip: Place the pan in a box for painting; that way you don’t have to drape your whole garage with drop cloths. Also, if you are spray painting outside and it is windy, a box acts as a windbreaker to keep the paint from blowing around before it reaches the surface you’re painting.
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Coat all sides of the pan with spray paint.
Next, choose the colors for the jars. You’ll be painting the inside of the jar. I found that the best way to do this was to squirt some paint into the bottom of the jar, add a tiny bit of water, place the lid on the jar and shake, shake, shake to coat the inside!
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These will take forever to dry. Keep them on their “heads” for an hour or so to dump extra paint out. Wipe the rim with a paper towel to remove any paint.
Then turn them onto their sides. Then keep turning them every few hours to distribute any extra paint around the sides of the jar. I dried mine for about 3 days before they were totally dry.
When the jars are fully dry, remove the masking from the pan’s bottom and use the glue to adhere the jars to the bottom of the pan in the intended positions. I used some crazy adhesive that promised to adhere anything. I didn’t try hot glue, but it might work.
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What do you think? Will this entice my two-year old to color more often?
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Also, one of my goals for this year is to start taking better pictures. I’m pretty happy with how these turned out! I’m trying to learn how to use my camera more effectively. I have been enjoying some sunny weather; it’s far more conducive to picture taking!
baby food jar

19 comments:

  1. Great idea. One 2012 goal of mine is to get those art supplies organized so they are spilling over the kitchen table! Thanks for sharing - found this over at Reasons to Skip the Housework!

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  2. Love this idea! I know it makes me want to color. :)

    I'd love for you to link up and share: http://tutusandteaparties.blogspot.com/2012/01/pinteresting-party-week-twenty-two.html

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  3. Such a cute idea, I love that the jars co-ordinate with the colors of the crayons :)

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  4. Love this project :) Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Brilliant! Very colorful. I'm sure your 2 year old will have lots of fun coloring.

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  6. What a great use of babyfood jars!

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  7. Love this! I would love to feature it on Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Thanks!

    Rachel

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  8. What a wonderful idea!! I love this and am definitely thinking of making one. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

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  9. I need a crayon organizer our last one didn't hold out too well...possibly because I made it out of plastic cups. This one came out lovely and I'm sure it will entice your son to color more often!

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  10. love it!! my budding 7yr old artist would really appreciate it too...but no more baby food jars around here...maybe I'll do it with small mason jars and she can put markers, colored pencils and crayons in there

    April
    www.pinterestingthings.com

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  11. These are so cute! I love them! It is so colorful and pretty! I had tweet about them. Great job and fantastic idea. It makes me want to color!

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  12. very colorful and pretty
    im wondering how well the paint is holding up inside?

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    Replies
    1. It has been fine so far, nothing has chipped. It was a little soft when I first put the crayons in (because I poured too much paint in a few of the jars and it took forever to dry) but it didn't harm it.

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  13. I love this! I think I might do this w/ my preschoolers as a Mothers Day project

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  14. LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing, it's always a challenge motivating little ones to stay organized. I shared with my readers. Looking forward to what you come up with next!
    ~Angela

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  15. Your project's been Candoodled! I love it. So I've shared it...
    http://candoodles.blogspot.com/2012/06/repurpose-baby-food-jar-craziness.html

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