Remote Holder The best gifts are both useful and visually appealing. With ubiquitous remotes for AC units, stereos, receivers, TVs and the Rumba cluttering the coffee table, build a wooden remote holder to keep them all in one place. To build, cut two matching not- quite-perfect triangular sides that angle from 6-10” at the top down to 3” at the bottom. Create matching- height pieces to connect the two sides at the back and the front. Your finished product will be taller in the back and shorter in the front and should be about four inches wide. Be sure to sand wood pieces for a smooth finish. You may want to explore different joint options such as dado, tongue and groove, or finger for the best strength and look. Create sections for each remote by making several evenly-spaced vertical grooves and then sliding a thin divider into each one. Then add paint or stain, or leave it in natural form. You can use the same techniques to customize holders for craft supplies, tools or office supplies, as well. Coat Rack A coat rack takes many forms, but the fun of this project is creating a unique end product. Start by considering the use. In its basic form, this is just a board with hardware attached to it. But the
“Everything.” An easy way to attach light boards together is using eye and tea cup hooks. The fun part about making signs is choosing your paint colors. For example, if you want hunter green on white, start by painting a base coat of white on the entire board. You can also add paint to the natural wood tone without a base layer. For a rustic look, paint the base color and then hit it with a sander or sandpaper to remove some of the paint. Next, use a hand or machine-made stencil for the script and words of your choice. Freestyle writing is another option if you’re comfortable doing so. Remember you can always sand the paint back off and start over, so don’t stress about making mistakes. If you’re using stencils, make sure they are thoroughly adhered so paint doesn’t seep underneath. Apply a very thin layer of paint, moving from the center of the stencil towards the center of each letter to avoid pressing paint beneath the stencil. Allow the paint to dry between coats. When done, remove the stencil and make touch ups with a small brush. Seal the paint with a topcoat. Finally, apply hardware to the sign. Wind picture wire around eye hooks that are twisted into the top of the sign. Another option is to attach a sawtooth hanger
same technique can create a necklace hanger or scarf rack. You can also personalize your coat rack to fit the theme of a child’s room or an office. Start by calculating your board length based on the number of hooks you want to add. Allow five or more inches between hooks so clothing has room to hang without crowding. Paint, stain, white-wash or stencil the board. Then attach hooks. Have fun with it. There are endless options, including rustic knobs, cabinet handles or DIY hooks formed frommetal. Give a Sign Wording for your sign can be anything you dream up. “Gardener Lives Here” or “Family is Everything” are examples. Emphasize pets, hobbies or love and peace. You choose! Start by selecting wood for your sign. You’ll want your board to be about half an inch thick. Pallet boards provide a rustic look, or you can clean them up and sand them down for a more modern feel. Alternatively, forage through your scrap pile or head to the lumber yard to make a selection. Use a planer or power sander for very rough boards. You may also want to use more than one board for bigger or longer messages. For example, the top board could read, “Family is” with a board attached below reading,
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