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INTRODUCTION
More and more stores are stocking their shelves with wooden crates, and it's no surprise that folks love them. Besides being inexpensive, crates offer a versatile way to style and decorate your home. From storage solutions to do-it-yourself (DIY) furniture, wooden crates are a resourceful way to organize your life on a budget. But where did this crazy crate trend come from?
Farmers first started using wooden crates for fruits and vegetables in the nineteenth century. Preprinted labels were glued on the ends of wooden crates to identify the contents, place of origin, and the packer's name. In the late 1950s, labels were no longer used because preprinted boxes replaced wooden crates, though they were still in high demand. Many farmers have turned to plastic and cardboard containers to ship their harvest, but you can find some farms that love the nostalgic smell and look of wood. Whether your produce comes in wooden or plastic containers, many of those vintage and antique crates still remain and are used in home decor and organization.
Today, crates are designed and made with the same inexpensive wood from days gone by. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be found in just about every craft, home decor, and home improvement store. In Crafting with Wooden Crates and Pallets, I will show you twenty-five projects using crates and reclaimed pallet wood. Whether or not you are new to working with wood, there is something for everyone! Join me in decorating and organizing your home with these fun and versatile crafts.
Understanding Your Materials
Sandpaper
For heavy sanding and stripping, you need coarse sandpaper measuring 40 to 60 grit. For smoothing surfaces and removing small imperfections, choose 80 to 120 grit sandpaper. For finishing surfaces, use superfine sandpaper with 360 to 600 grit.
Balsa Wood
Balsa wood is the "miracle material" of the hobby world. It has the best strength-toweight ratio of any other readily available material. Not only is it known for its high strength and low density, it can be easily shaped, sanded, glued, and painted despite its softness. Balsa is technically classified as a hardwood, rather than a softwood, because it has broad leaves and is not a conifer. Balsa wood can be found at both craft and home improvement stores and is fairly inexpensive to buy. It traditionally comes in sizes up to three feet and is easy to cut and sand.
Whitewood Board
Whitewood board is typically a pinewood that is readily available and sold in a variety of sizes. Not only is it inexpensive, it is relatively easy to work with. You'll often find boards labeled "whitewood" that may be pine, spruce, fir, hemlock, or another similar species. You'll also see studs and construction lumber labeled "SPF," which means they could be made from pine, spruce, or fir trees. With the projects in this book, I primarily use inexpensive pine.
Basic Tools
You will need a variety of tools that you may already have at home. If you don't, consider buying them at a local hardware store. Whether you are a beginner crafter or an expert, everyone should have them. And if you are like me, feel free to paint them a matching color.
Claw hammer
Phillips screwdriver
Drill
Sandpaper, varying from 100 to 220 grit
Industrial-strength wood glue
Safety goggles
1" chip paintbrush
2" chip paintbrush
2" slant paintbrush
Small flat and round craft paintbrushes
Saws
There are four different kinds of saws I use when working with wood projects at home: chop saw, miter saw, table saw, and jigsaw.
The main difference between a chop saw and a miter saw is a miter saw can rotate and make angled cuts. These angled cuts are often referred to as "miters," hence the name. A chop saw only cuts straight, ninety-degree angles. A miter saw is traditionally attached to a base and often elevated on legs, and a chop saw is handheld. A cordless chop saw is my favorite tool when creating small DIY projects and furniture.
A table saw or saw bench is a circular saw where the blade protrudes through the surface of a table, which provides support for the wood being cut. It is driven by an electric motor and is a costly investment. I do not use a table saw in any of the projects in this book because it is an intimidating tool for beginners. I also do not recommend using one without first taking a class to better understand its proper safety and use. If you have a table saw and are comfortable using it, it's great for creating straight clean cuts in wood.
A jigsaw is probably the most versatile power tool you can own. It is made up of an electric motor and reciprocating saw blade. In addition to making straight and angle cuts, it is excellent for cutting curves. Like all the other power tools previously mentioned, be sure to get the proper training you need to understand how to use a jigsaw.
I primarily use a chop saw and a miter saw for these projects. They are less expensive tools and more portable than a table saw. I have found that when I take my time with a chop saw, I can achieve straight cuts.
Safety is key, so use what is the most comfortable and appropriate tool for each project. And be sure to wear safety goggles!
Paint
I prefer acrylic brush-on paint for most projects. (Acrylic craft paint and latex paint are the same; both are water-based and made from acrylic resins. I prefer using the word acrylic because it is available in smaller craft sizes.) Water-based paints and stains tend to have low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and can be safely used indoors or outdoors. Acrylic paint has a variety of sheens and finishes and can be found at craft and home improvement stores. More and more craft stores are selling paint in eight-ounce jars. Craft paint will work well with some of these projects too. I mostly use DecoArt Americana Decor paints because they are readily available in major retail stores and online. The Satin Enamels and Chalky Finish lines are among my favorites.
Wooden crates are made of very dry absorbent wood. When painting, you will most likely need to apply two to three coats to achieve the desired sheen and create the most durable finish.
Varnish
Living in a busy home, I protect my projects with clear varnish. There are many water-based varnishes that are safe to use indoors and outdoors. They come in a variety of finishes, from flat matte to high gloss sheen. I prefer a satin finish for most of my projects and always use a gloss sheen for projects exposed to moisture. DuraClear is my favorite brand, and it comes in two- to eight-ounce sizes and can be found in craft stores.
Paintbrushes
Paintbrushes come in all shapes and sizes, and for simple projects like these, inexpensive one-inch or two-inch chip brushes will suffice. They cost about one dollar each at home improvement stores. You can rewash and reuse the brushes when using water-based paint. Chip brushes are perfect for getting into those tight spaces wooden crates are famous for, and their rough bristles are ideal for techniques like dry brushing. For large scale projects, I often use a finer quality two-inch slant brush.
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Excerpted from "Crafting with Wooden Crates & Pallets"
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Copyright © 2018 Natalie Wright.
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