Practical gift wrapping station
Don't let your craft room become a big mess of unravelled wrapping paper and ribbons. Here's a quick and affordable solution to all your gift wrapping woes. Follow this step-by-step to make a gift wrapping session that is more organised and stylish all year round!
Re-purpose an old picture frame into a handy gift wrapping station that is affordable and will make your craft room organised and tidy.
YOU WILL NEED:
Used wooden frame (ours was a secondhand find)
Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X in Matte clear
Rust-Oleum Universal Metallic in aged copper
Rust-Oleum Universal Matte in French cream
Pine dowels, 12mm diameter
Rubber or latex gloves
Hammer and nails
120-grit sandpaper or medium sanding sponge
Dust mask
Drop cloth
Tape measure and pencil
Find the full range of Rust-Oleum spray paint products, and all the supplies for this project at your local Builders Warehouse.
HERE'S HOW:
Preparation
Before you start, always work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, when you’re spray painting. To protect your surroundings from paint, cover your entire work area with a drop cloth.
1. Sand the frame with a sanding sponge or 120-grit sandpaper to remove any chipped paint and to smooth the surface.
GOOD TO KNOW: Once you’re done sanding, wipe the whole frame down so that the frame is completely free of any dust or dirt from sanding. This will ensure that your paint bonds properly.
3. Shake the can of Rust-Oleum Universal Matte French Cream spray for one minute after the mixing ball begins to rattle. Hold the can about 30 centimetres from the frame and spray in a steady back-and-forth motion, slightly overlapping each stroke. Apply 2 to 3 light coats a few minutes apart and then let the frame dry for about 30 minutes.
4. To protect your frame from wear over time, apply Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X Clear Matte spray as a topcoat. To apply, shake the can for one minute (after the mixing ball starts rattling). Hold the can about 30 centimetres away from the frame and apply 2 to 3 light coats, allowing a few minutes between each coat. Put the frame aside to dry for 24 hours.
5. Lightly sand each dowel rod with 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge. This ensures the paint adheres to the rods and gives a smooth and even coverage. When you’re done sanding, be sure to wipe down the dowel rods to remove any dust.
6. Spray each dowel with Rust-Oleum Universal Metallic in Aged Copper, using the same technique you used to spray the frame in Step 3. To make sure you cover the entire rod, spray 2 to 3 light, even coats on one side of each rod - wait until the paint is dry to the touch (about 30 minutes) before turning the rod over and spraying the other side. Once the rods are painted, repeat this step on your tube straps.
7. Allow
the dowels and pipe brackets to dry for
about 30 minutes and then spray them with 2 to 3 light
coats of Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X Clear Matte
spray. Use the same technique you used in
Step 4 to topcoat the frame. This will protect
the metallic paint from rubbing off. Put aside for 24 hours to
dry completely.
GOOD TO KNOW: Apply topcoat within one hour or wait 48 hours before applying.
8. Once all the painted sections are
completely dry, attach the pipe brackets to the
frame using a hammer and nails.
Space the brackets evenly to allow enough
room for each roll of wrapping paper. Ensure
that the brackets are lined up
evenly on each side.
9. Secure the hanging hardware to the back of the
frame, following the directions on the
packaging for the type of hanging that you use. Then, hang the frame where you want
your gift wrap station to be. Make sure you hang
it at a comfortable height where you can easily
reach the top rod.
10. Now you can slide your rolls of wrapping
paper and ribbon spools onto the rods before
slipping the ends of each rod into the brackets. As an option you can add a
stopper to the ends of the rods so that they
can’t be pulled out.
GOOD TO KNOW: If you need additional storage, repurpose a small drawer unit and spray to match. This can be used for tape, scissors, greeting cards, gift tags and everything else you’ll need.