Practical Tips, Thoughtful Tidbits, and Timeless Treasures

DIY Tray

Great Gift Alert!!!!

Are you looking for a gift that is easy to create and can be personalized to fit any style? In the next few paragraphs I will describe how you can create a cute tray from easy everyday items. 

What you will need:

  • 3 packs of 5 gallon paint sticks (3 paint sticks in each pack)
  • 2 handles any style you like
  • Your favorite stencil and paint (optional)
  • Hot glue
  • A saw to cut the paint sticks
  • A drill 

That’s it!!!

The first thing you will need to do is lay out 2 packs of paint sticks and make sure your stencil will fit if you are adding a stencil. You may need to add more paint sticks depending on the size of your stencil. Then cut off the handle of each paint stick. I cut them all the same length. I just drew a straight line across all 6 paint sticks right at the bottom of the handles. 

Once you have them laid out next to each other to create the bottom of the tray, cut 2 more paint sticks to fit across the other 6 paint sticks. See picture below. 

Now, you can paint or stain the paint sticks to fit any style or you can leave them natural. I decided to use my Waverly Wax to stain some of the sticks and leave some of them natural. I am really liking the natural wood look mixed with a little stained wood. 

Next, I used Elmer’s Wood Glue and hot glue to glue all the paint sticks together. I just added a small amount of both glues to the edge of each paint stick and stuck them together. Then I glued the 2 sticks across the top and bottom edge of the tray. See picture below. 

This part can seem intimidating but if I can do it, anyone can. LOL Place one handle on one of the ends (the end where the paint stick is going across all the rest). Use a pencil to mark where you will need to drill holes for the handle. Then drill the holes. Repeat the same process on the other end.  Once your holes are drilled, you can attach the handles. You can stop here and you would have an adorable tray to use in your home or give as a gift. I decided that I wanted to personalize it a bit so I added a stencil. I used a Chalk Couture Stencil and Chalk Couture paste. 

That is it!!! Now you have a one of a kind tray!!! I absolutely love how this one turned out. It is going to look great on my husband’s nightstand.