Shabby Chic Tool Caddy

Hello everyone!  Today I want to share this really cool and very useful Tool Caddy, also sometimes called a brush caddy. from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts.  However, since it can be used for so much more than just brushes, we changed its name.  I love everything vintage and shabby chic, so I am going to decorate my caddy with some beautiful papers from Prima's Wild & Free collection.

This caddy is very simple to put together.  Here are the parts.

Before I put it together, though, I am going to start to cut out my paper pieces.  It will be much easier to cover the inside pieces BEFORE I glue it all together.  Start by covering the "handle" piece, trimming the paper away from the "pins" and from inside the handle.  Save the ovals cut from inside the handle.  We will use them later.

Trim the paper from between the long "slots".

You will also need to trim the paper from just above the long "slots" to allow for the partition pieces to slide onto.  I used one of the partitions as a template to cut away that portion of the paper.

Cover the opposite side and trim the paper in the same manner.  You can see how the partition can slide on easily, since the excess paper thickness has been removed.

Cover both sides of each partition piece and trim paper from pins and long slots, as shown.

Be sure to remove the paper below the long slots.

You can now slide the partitions onto the handle piece.

Cover the inside bottom piece and cut away the slots or holes, as shown, and trim paper from pins.

Put glue on the handle and partition pieces.

Set pins on both handle and partition pieces into the slots on the bottom piece, as shown.  Let dry.

At this point, I decided to varnish the paper to protect it.  I prefer to use DecoArt Media Ultra Matte Varnish, but you can also use other varnishes or sealers, too. It goes on really smooth and matte, so you cannot see it at all.

Cut four pieces of 12x12 paper every 4" wide to cover both the inside and outside of the side pieces.  Run the paper pieces through a Xyron Creative Station, or use whatever adhesive you have.

Be mindful of the direction of the printed design, if that applies.  The rose print paper design has direction and needs to be cut so the direction is upright.

I have laid two sides along the lower piece to show how it will be adhered.  Notice that the top, straight edge is the top of the sides, and the pins are where it attaches to the bottom.

However, since the black print paper has no discernible direction, I don't need to pay attention to the direction in which I cut it.  Here I have laid out the large side with the top at the top, and the side piece has been laid out sideways.  It won't matter in the case of this paper.

Here are the pieces covered.  Excess paper was trimmed away from the pins and in the slot holes.  Do not cover the other side at this time.  It will be covered after the sides are attached and all of the edges can be covered.

Adhere the side pieces to the handle/partition pieces, as shown.  Remember, the paper covered side goes to the inside.  I used a rubber band to hold the sides nice and tight while the glue dried.  If you don't have a large enough rubber band, you can always use a piece of twine or string.  Let the caddy dry well before handling.

Cover the outside pieces with the black print paper, as shown.

One more piece needs to be cut from the paper measuring 4"x6" to cover the bottom.

Paint two Border Sticks Shell with Tarnished Brass Distress Stain.  Because this is so watery, it will not clog the delicate laser cuts.

Adhere the Border Sticks Shell along the top edge of the caddy.

To finish off the top edges of the chipboard, I used a Krylon Pale Gold leafing pen.  In the photo, I placed a small post-it note over the paper to protect it while I added the Pale Gold up against it.

Fussy cut images from the paper collection and adhere to the front and back of the caddy.  Use a metal frame over the small image of the girl, which was cut from the 6"x6" paper pad in the same collection.

These are the two ovals cut from the handle.  Lay two delicate frames over the ovals and trace around the print area you want to display.  Cut away excess paper and set aside.

Paint the two delicate frames with Tarnished Brass distress stain and let dry.

Adhere the painted frames over the ovals.

I felt the scallop frame was too bare, so I added the tiny flourish from the same set after coloring it in
the same fashion.

These pieces were adhered to the sides of the caddy.

And here is how you can store your favorite and most used tools right within reach.  This piece can also serve as an inspiration piece, since it will be right there in front of you as you work.  You get to be the creator and make it especially to your liking.  It doesn't get any more fun than that.

Supplies Used:
GSL Tool Caddy
GSL Border Sticks Shell
GSL Delicate Frames & Ornaments Shapes
Prima Wild & Free 12x12 paper collection
Krylon Pale Gold leafing pen
DecoArt Media Ultra Matte Varnish
Dynasty #16 flat brush
Xyron Creative Station
Ideology Baroque Frames
Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Tarnished Brass Distress Stain
Foam dots

I hope you enjoyed my project today and that I have inspired you to make one of these nifty tool caddies for yourself.  Of course, it would make an excellent gift for your craftiest friends, too!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful and crafty day!

Barbara