This project was originally made back in 2016 when we lived in California. This thrifted tray project turned out to be one of my favorites and I used it up until we moved and I sold it in a moving sale. I was also doing upcycle challenges at the time so you’ll see a LOT of other projects at the end of this article.
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Today is the May edition of the Thrift Store Decor Upcycle Challenge & I’m sharing my DIY tray makeover! I’ve teamed up with 19 other talented bloggers for this monthly thrift store blog hop. The rules are simple–take an item(s) from a thrift store, yard sale, resale shop, etc., and transform it into a new piece of home decor. There was no budget, or theme to stick to so we were free to let our creativity run wild! Scroll down and see all the amazing DIY projects!
Here’s what I started with… I almost forgot to take a “before” picture. You can see that I had already started on one of the jute handles. When I bought the metal piece the guy at the thrift store asked me what it was. I told him I didn’t know but I liked it. That’s my answer for a lot of things I buy at thrift stores!
I did a little research and found some online called “metal trivets” or “casserole carriers”. I thought that’s what it might be. But I had a different plan for it.
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Supplies for My Upcycle DIY Tray Project
- expandable casserole carrier (Featured in my April thrift store haul video.)
- piece of wood (Part of a wine crate bought at a garage sale last year.)
- jute string (Shown in Thrift Store Haul Video #3.)
- scissors
- precision glue gun & precision glue gun
How to Make This Repurposed Tray
This was a super simple project! I started wrapping the jut around one of the handles. I tucked the end in and wrapped over it and just tacked it down with a tiny bit of hot glue. Just enough to keep it from unraveling. Then I finished off the other end the same way.
I centered the wood piece on the trivet and pushed the handles in. It was just a little wobbly so I tacked it down with some hot glue, too.
This is just the right size to carry a little snack into the living room while I watch HGTV. Shhhhhh…. don’t tell anyone I ate chocolate cupcakes in the living room!
{{{ See the 25 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Thrift Stores. }}}
We recently rearranged our living room. Hubby wanted a library feel so we moved the bookshelves down and filled them with the books that have been scattered all over the house. Many of them came from thrift stores, too. It makes a cozy little reading corner. A perfect spot to eat my cupcakes!
My Friends’ Upcycled Craft Projects
More of My DIY Upcycle Projects
If you enjoyed my upcycle DIY tray makeover, you might also like these:
- DIY Chicken Wire Frames
- Frames to DIY Jewelry Display
- Repurpose a Thrift Store Frame to a Chalkboard
- 10 Ways to Display Bedroom Frames
- Gray Chalk Paint Jewelry Cabinet with Pink Interior
Thanks for reading my post!
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
Erlene A says
I would have never thought to turn a casserole holder into a tray. Such a great idea and I love the farmhouse vibe too.
Paula says
What a great idea to use a casserole carrier as a tray base! I now need to start looking for one when I’m out and about at thrift shops.
Michelle James says
You are so creative! This is a great Upcycle!
Debrashoppeno5 says
You have such vision. I am sure I would have walked by this and you saw a tray. I love this, it turned out great.
Julie Briggs says
I wouldn’t have looked at this twice in a thrift store – what a great idea! I really like the combo of the metal and wood with the jute handles.
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks, Julie!
Toni | smallhomesoul.com says
What a great idea, you are so creative to transform this into something that can be used everyday. I love it!
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks, Toni! Thanks for reading my post!
Wen says
To answer your question.. By far garage sales!
Feliz says
Cute idea!
Mischiefmaker says
That’s really cute; I have one of those! But if I did that, what would I hold my casseroles with??? lol
Karen says
Just a suggestion: In order to keep the wood from suffering food/liquid stains that will soak into the wood, seal the wood with a lacquer or polyurethane finish. Then the wood will be protected and also, the grain in the wood will not swell and rise from any water that is used to clean the surface. Hope this is helpful.
Margaret says
Nice idea, but if I were using this as a tray, I would want an edge on this that would keep any items, esp, a cup with liquid in it, from sliding off the tray if the tray happened to tip a little. It would prevent anything on the tray from slipping off and onto the floor and avoid a mess to cleanup.
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
What a great upcycle! The tray looks great. I like how you added the twine to the handles nice touch. I won’t tell that you ate cupcakes in the living room, that is if next time you share! LOL
Kathy Allen says
Great tray! And I don’t know what is wrong with eating cupcakes in the LIVING room, I mean, you do LIVE there, right. Besides, no self-respecting chocolate lover would waste any crumbs!
Levieta Haulk says
This is absolutely gorgeous!
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks!
Mariaw says
Never thought about casserole dish it looks very pretty
MK says
Just happened to stumble across one of these holders in a thrift store yesterday. Couldn’t pass it up for 50 cents to try this craft out. Thanks for all your inspirations!
Robin says
I always buy things because I know later I will figure out something to do with them. Cute idea I was thinking it might hold my rolls of vinyl.
Cheri says
That Turned OUT GREAT 👏🏼👍🏼♥️Thanks FOR SHARING!!
Susan Stevenson says
Yay! Putting the wooden board on that thingy is a great idea! I have several and I’ve used them in many ways but I think yours is my favorite!