Upcycled Fruit Crates – Two Become One

Using the used is at the heart of every gypsy and up-cycling is definitely the skill to master. So… what do you do with two empty fruit crates? Throw away? Nooo!!! Work your gypsy magic on them and, using products from all three of our brands, give them a second life as a head-turning  storage unit for your crafty supplies.

Our Crew member, Kerstin Peters’ love for the recycled and re-used shines through in this project. Look for yourself…

‘Today, I have a new up-cycling project to share, it’s a storage box for all my Tattered Angels Mists. My last up-cycling project was a storage for washi tapes and now I was on search for a suitable box to put my mists in. This box is at the same time a storage case, a home decoration project and an inspiration thing, because I added a little extra box for a pencil and notebook, where I note ideas and flashes of genius. ‘Embrace Imperfection – Old is the New’, that’s my crafting motto!
I decided to use two old crake boxes – that’s where the name of the project came from: Two Become One!’ – explains Kerstin.

Materials used:
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Chocolate Brown
Tattered Angels Baseboard Mist Lava
7 gypsies Architextures Paper Junk’n
7 gypsies Architextures Paper Market Signs
7 gypsies Ordre Du Jour: 12×12 paper Seize the Day
Canvas Corp Heirloom collection: Brushes on Ivory
Canvas corp Black & Craft French Linen Stripe
2 Fruit crates
Tim Holtz Vintage Portraits
Americana Decor Creme Wax Brown
Burlap leftovers
7gypsies Loops & Hooks
die – gears
black textured paper
wood and decoupage glue

Tools:
Scissors, pincer,
Cuttlebug as cutting machine

One crate remains unchanged, while from the other one you only need one short and two long side pieces. Remove the brackets with a pincer – see above.

Glue the short piece (1) as an attachment on the upper side and the 2 long pieces (2+3) on the front side; it might be necessary to use a rasp so that the surfaces properly stick together. Tip: allow to dry overnight because the wood glue might require a longer drying time for a stable attachment.

Darken the wooden crate with brown wax; Kerstin added spray and splatters for a more time-worn effect.

Measure and cut paper for the background of the crate.

Cut out your chosen motive and glue it in, along with any other embellishments (burlap, old photo cut-outs, industrial stickers) on the front side and on the attachment on the top.

‘For my little ‘idea box’, I used a small matchbox and a paper cutout, this paper is really great, because it looks like an original box handle, glue it on the front side.’ – shares her tip Kerstin.

Add die-cut or chipboard gears, an old photo cut-out and a metal plate with an embossed saying.

The crate is finished and ready to home all the mists. You could also use it as a display for your vintage or grungy projects. 

For more up-cycling ideas, visit Kerstin’s blog and Instagram.

Have a great day!

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