July-Crafting-Tutorial

A Primitive Place Monthly Crafting Tutorial by Char Sethman

Hello, my name is Char Sethman and I am a Prim Addict!

I love scouring Thrift Shoppes, Flea Markets, Yard Sales, Antique Malls, & Salvage Yards in my spare time. And if you see someone digging through someone's trash along side the road, that would probably be me....as I LOVE dumpster diving! Most of my favorite pieces I have in my home have come from someone elses trash! Never under estimate what a can of paint, wood glue and some nails can do for a piece of furniture!!!

I will be creating a monthly Crafting Tutorial for A Primitive Place and just recently joined the APP Staff as Prim Project Manager.

I also am currently writing for Mercantile Gathering Magazine in the "trash to treasure" section, which I show you how to take those pieces you would have thrown away and make them into something useful!

I will also be featured in the Fall 2009 & Holiday 2009 edition of

"Create & Decorate" magazine with 2 of my projects.

I do offer my Primitive Goodies for sale in my Etsy Shoppe and for any of you that like to make your own crafts, I have a crafting Blog that you can come and craft along with me weekly! Both of these are called

"THE PICKLED PEPPER PATCH".

Until next month!

Char Sethman

Prim Project Manager

A Primitive Place

I am fasicnated with trying to recreate "pieces of the past" that our ancestors found needful for everyday living or taking

I am a lover of all things grungy, rusty, torn & tattered.....just like you would find in Grandma's Attic or Grandpa's Shed.

HOW TO MAKE A PATRIOTIC TOOLBOX

Supplies:

*2- 1"x6"x6' Pine Boards (you can get a 12' long board, but I like to buy the shorter boards as they are straighter and not warped like the long ones tend to be)

*Old Spindle atleast 30" long (or you can use a 1"x2"x4' pine board for the handle if you don't have an old spindle)

*Craft Paints; red, white, blue, black

*Dark Walnut Stain by Mimwax

*Jigsaw or Miter Box

Directions:

First, lets get all the boards cut. You can get them cut at the Lumber yard for free. They only do straight cuts though.

Here are your cuts needed:

*2- 1"x6" cut 12" long

*1- 1"x6" cut 29 1/2" long

*2- 1"x6" cut 31" long

*Old Spindle cut 29 1/2" long

*Masking tape

Now, we are going to cut our sides out so they are in the shape of an old toolbox. I did this by measuring up from the bottom of the 1x6x12" board 5-inches, make a little pencil mark. Now at the top of the board measure in 2-inches, make a little pencil mark. Now, just connect the dots! This is what it should look like:

Next, we are going to cut out the part we just marked off.

Now, I just take this piece and use it as a template to mark the other side of that board. Take and cut that side out now too.

You will want to do this to the other 1x6x12" board now too.

Let's start assembling the box! Take your 29 1/2" board, this will be the bottom of the toolbox, and nail the side to it; as shown. Make sure you put a bead of wood glue on it first, then several nails for stability. A second pair of hands is always nice too. LOL

Repeat this again with the other side attachment.

Now, we are going to attach the front and back of the toolbox. We will do this by taking your 1x6x31" boards and attaching them to the front of the box; as shown. Making sure you again use plenty of nails to make your box secure. I will NOT attach the handle til the very end, it just is much easier to paint it without it attached.

Next, we are ready to start the Primming process! So, take your black paint and completely paint your Toolbox, let dry completely.

Now, paint your Tool box completely with your White Paint;

let dry completely.

I am making an American flag on the front & back of my Toolbox. So, I am going to start by painting the blue part of the flag. I do this by applying my masking tape where the blue would be, paint and let dry completly. I do this to both front & back. Peel off masking tape.

Time for the Red Stripes. Just do this by using your masking tape again. Mask off the area for the red stripes, paint and let dry completly. Do this to both front & back. Peel off masking tape.

Here is what your Toolbox should like at this moment.

Now, you are ready to add Stars to your blue! I used part of a stencil I have to stencil on some Stars, but you can freehand them or use some Rusty Stars for this!

Time for the Distressing and Aging of your Toolbox! Take your Sander or Sandpaper and "go to town" with it now! You can do a little sanding, or if you are like me, I just let myself get carried away! Who needs Calgon when you have a Sander?! It's like a free Therapy Session for me each time I use it! LOL

Next, take you Dark Walnut Stain and completly cover your box with it. Now, wipe it all back off! Instant age! Your box will now have a muted time worn look!

Now, take your Old Spindle (or whatever you are using for the handle) and approximately 1/2 inch from the top of your box, attach it with your nails. I recommend atleast 4 nails per side to make sure it is good and strong. As you might be moving this around from time to time with some goodies in it!

That's it! You have completed your Patriotic Toolbox!

I chose to leave the handle in the Oak finish that it had just to do something different. But, you can paint your handle to match your box, that is up to you. Hope you enjoy!