This adventure started like so many of mine. I was unemployed, broke, and Christmas was coming. Being short on cash, long on craft supplies, and a Pinterest addict, I decided to make my grandkids a bakery stand. I bought them an EasyBake oven for their present, and saw some really neat ideas for a "play bakery" on Pinterest. I'd love to link to some of those sites, but I'm a technological moron. I only know the basics to even do this blog. Hopefully, I'll run across a 10 year old to help me figure things out. I have more pictures on my Facebook page, An Artisan Touch, so feel free to go there to see more.
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| This was an old entertainment center that we put in the shed when we moved last year. It was old, and beat up, but I thought it might have a use some day. Yes, I might be a hoarder. |
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| I cut the top off, added slats for shelves, and nailed plywood on one side to make the front of the stand. Now, I think I already mentioned broke, and being a hoarder. I also dumpster-dive, or in this case, burn-pile-dive. One of my neighbors is a contractor that does remodeling. He throws the stuff that he demos from his jobs onto his burn pile. Well...I occasionally, with his permission, drag stuff home. Hey, it's still good! I can use that!(My husband cringes when he hears me say that.) So, I had to fit 2 pieces of plywood together because I didn't have any big enough. |
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| He also had some nice molding in that pile. It works nicely to finish off the edges. |
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| After piecing everything together from the scraps that I acquired, I painted it. Note: when I was putting it together, I used an air compressor and brad nailer. I may be stingy about materials, but good tools are necessary to my life. I've acquired many over the years. Treat them right, and they'll treat you right, for many years. |
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| Love this color!! Valspar Paint and Primer for Metal, Wood, and Plastic: Thistle Field. |
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| Now that the main piece was painted, it was time for the trimmings. I found several sections of porch railing in the neighbor's burn pile. Then, I bought several wooden scroll frames at Michael's Craft Store. I sprayed them with this gorgeous Valspar paint.I use this brand a lot because it has excellent coverage. It sprays so nicely, and is easy to use. Note: I am not being paid to say this. (yet?) |
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| This is the interior. I added shelves, making sure that the EasyBake oven could fit on one of the shelves. I wanted to get the grands an EasyBake oven because I had one as a kid. I was a cake decorator/baker for 11 years before leaving that field to start an apprenticeship as a skilled construction trade technician.(I know. Cakes to construction is a little weird. I'll get to that adventure one of these days.) I wanted to introduce the grandkids to the item that started me on one of my early adventures, and share what I have learned with them. |
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| Finally finished, with hours to spare,on Christmas Eve! I sewed the canopy with the sewing machine that my husband and son gave me as an early Christmas present. Now, I don't really know how to sew,yet. And, I don't recommend that one's first sewing project should be trying to sew bias tape on scallops,especially if one has never sewn a seam before. The cake plate on the bottom shelf is made from a candle holder, and plastic serving plate that I bought at the Dollar Tree. I glued them together with E6000, and spray-painted the whole thing with another of the Valspar paints that I had. I bought doilies,and serving trays for any baked goods that the kids would eventually make. |
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A few weeks after Christmas, knowing that the kids would use up all the EasyBake mixes, I decided to start making the kids some felt "play baked goods". I saw some really cool examples on Pinterest.(I did mention that I was a Pinterest addict?) Once again, if I weren't such a technological moron, I would link to those sites. (Damn it, where's that 10 year old?)
So ends The Adventure of the Up-cycled Entertainment Center. Hope you enjoyed your trip with An ADHD Artisan! |
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