Supplies for this post were provided by Michael’s Stores – project idea and opinions are my own.
Yes, even if you’re in denial, it’s coming (or has already arrived) – Back-To-School!! I would love to celebrate it as I do all holidays – via crafting! The first thing that comes to mind when I think of a new year of school is new crayons… and so about about a way to organize them…
Crayons are so cheap this time of year, so stock up! I think we used about 5 boxes to fill our cans. And for you I have a quick tutorial on how I made the holder to organize crayons…
You’ll need:
–crayons
–mini cans of veggies
–balsa wood – yes, Michael’s carries wood that’s perfect for craft projects
–wood glue (maybe hot glue would work in a pinch?)
–spraypaint
–scrapbook paper
If you’re intimidated by wood projects, this one is for you! I did use a hand saw, but other than that, no big tools needed, and the wood is pretty thin – I wonder if you could even cut it with scissors… I used a flat board and a couple other pieces for trim on the sides:
I put my cans on so I could see how long I needed the boards. I also noted that I needed to attach the trim to the edge of the board, not on top, because the cans didn’t leave side room:
I used a handsaw to cut them to length:
And wood glue to secure them into place – this is so the cans will stay on the organizer:
While drying, weigh it down with something heavy on the top – I grabbed the drill because it was within reach, but anything will work:
Meanwhile, eat a bunch of veggies to empty your cans. Or dump them into a random container. These cans are about half the size of normal veggie cans – so cute! Then wrap them with a strip of scrapbook paper, one for each color of the rainbow. I secured it to the can with hot glue:
Then I spraypainted the holder, but I didn’t get a picture of that, so just imagine. And I go to put the cans in – and I completely forgot to put the trim pieces along the edge – I had glued them to the top – oops! So my cans barely didn’t fit. Trevor, ever the problem-solver, worked some magic:
and squished the sides of each can in like so – it worked perfectly!
Super super cute! Love it!
Trevor asked me what it was for, and I told him that was irrelevant because it was too cute! But really, I’ll probably use it when I teach preschool, etc – it’s pretty handy not to have to dig for colors.
See anything wrong with this picture below??
True story – I did a whole photo shoot (er, 3 minutes of pictures on my front porch) with the colors in the wrong order – whoops! My kiddos helping hold the background said “I thought those were supposed to be in rainbow order” – um, yeah, you’re right. Now let’s do all those pictures over again!
You can find tons of craft supplies at Michael’s Stores to craft your way through back to school – and they even have a Lookbook on their site for ideas:
Michaels Back to School info:
Really – love that app – use it ALL. THE. TIME!!
Have a happy back-to-school!! We go back Aug 14th, so about a week and a half away….
[email protected] says
Very cute! 🙂
Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says
Mandy, that is so cute! Such a fun up-cycle idea!!
Maria says
This is so cute I want to make one for my colored pencils!
I would love for you to share this at the Krafty Inspiration Thursday Link Party over at Krafty Cards etc. https://kraftycardsetc.blogspot.com/2013/08/krafty-inspiration-thursday-2.html
Thanks for the inspiration!
Maria
Deb Clem-Buckert says
Pinned. Very cute idea!
Heidi @ Happiness is Homemade says
Cute! I made one like this a few years ago, but I love the way it looks with the patterned paper! I might need to make another one for pencils now! 🙂
https://www.happinessishomemade.net/2010/06/30/upcycled-montessori-style-crayon-holder/
Katie @ Made to be a Momma. says
Love this! My two little boys are a few years away from school ready age…but this would be great for my toddler to help organize his colors!
Katie @ Made to be a Momma
jaime ♥ raising up rubies says
i’m a sucker for anything in rainbow order … think we’re gonna do this today! thanks for the inspiration girl!
Made From Pinterest says
Pinned it! Gonna file this for when the grandkids come over! UH-dorable!
Deb @ madefrompinterest.net
Michelle says
These are so cute!! Fun idea!!
Brenda says
I love this idea. We have so many crayons and markers. Right now they are in pencil cases. I love the idea of the art supplies being more accessible now that my boys are older. Have you had any problems with sharp edges on the cans? Thanks for sharing this amazing project!
Mandy Beyeler says
we haven’t had any problems with the edges of the cans. My kiddos aren’t super young, so that might help. You can also use those can openers that cut a safe edge. Good luck!
Erin @ the-organized-life says
We must be thinking alike this week. I wrapped veggies cans with paper too… for a homework caddy. This is a super cute idea for the crayons (and I would have completely done the same thing and taken a bunch of pictures with the crayons “out of order” only to have my children correct me 🙂 )
Erin @ the-organized-life recently posted…Back to School: Routines
Christa | BrownSugarToast says
adorable!! thanks for sharing!
Crystal @HelloCreativeFamily says
I love how simple these are to make! I want to make a set of them with my daughter for her art table!
I included it in a post I did with my favorite rainbow crafts, DIY projects and recipes! I’d love for you to take a peek and share if you think you’re audience would be interested in it.
https://hellocreativefamily.com/27-rainbow-crafts-diy-projects-and-recipes-your-family-will-love/
Best Wishes,
Crystal
rita says
Where can i find the exact scrapbook paper? I love it!
Mandy Beyeler says
I got this several years ago in a paper pad packet, so I’m not sure where to find it now, sorry!
Lindsey says
I loved your crayon organizer so much I had to do it! The only problem is we don’t eat food out of cans. So I made my crayon organizer out of a tree!!!
I posted about it here:
https://bighouseinthewoods.com/diy-crayon-organizer/
Julie says
I just made these but spray painted the cans the different colors. I will say that I cut myself several times while cleaning the cans so I decided to take a pliers and bend down the inside edge carefully and now it’s not sharp at all. I do have children and I just felt it was safer.
Mandy Beyeler says
we haven’t had that problem, maybe depends on the type of can opener being used
Sherry says
My question too. I just sliced my finger open cleaning the cans. I have a class of 3 year olds I wantt o make this for.
Mandy Beyeler says
I used the safety can opener, it cuts on the side instead of the top, hope that helps