Here’s a super easy, cheap and quick way to create a pencil holder in minutes, out of a 2×4.
My son needed an emergency homework station in his room we’re working on, so I smacked up a costco folding table, but was stumped on what to put his pencils in.
Pencils in a cup felt ‘boring’. I wanted him to be able to fiddle with stuff to entice for longer sits. (tricky, huh?)
Inspired by Burlap and Denim’s wood planter… (thanks Amanda!),
I set to work using a 2 x 4.
Sand a 2×4, then with your cordless drill, go to town creating little holes with a spade drill bit.
I just eyed the holes and drilled. No measuring.
They came in my awesome little tool kit. I love this kit! But it needed to come with a cardboard insert with info, like boxes of chocolate, so we can sound somewhat educated for all things blog.
(I promised to show you how to work with tools… I still need to do that.)
I used a 3/4″ for fatter highlighters,
and 1/2″ for regular pencils and pens.
And here it is! The 2 x 4 pencil holder runs nearly the entire length of the 6 foot table so it’s crazy fun to fiddle with!
Once the room is more complete, it may get hit with some cool treatment. More to come.
And yes, it was that ‘easy’.
Donna, that’s bit is called a spade bit. Love your idea, and I also love your inspiration. Might have to make one of each, I have tons of hens and chicks AND pencils! I even have some my grandfather used, really old ones, they would look cool on ‘display’ in your holder.
Thank-you thank-you!!!! Spade bit. I looked at it and for some reason, spade drill came to mind, but I didn’t know why. Ha! I was nearly subliminally right. 🙂
This just goes to show that a little creativity goes a long way.
We call it a paddle bit, but spade sounds right. Anyway the idea of putting fiddly stuff in there for a kids work station is brilliant! Kids definitely need that. Can’t wait to see what else goes in the room.
This is so cool!! And I can just see him fiddling with this. Should keep him there for at least an additional 30 minutes..ha!!
Hugs
SueAnn
so cute Donna. You’re a junker champ! (high compliment you know!)
cheers Fiona
Love it! And I love how you use everyday circumstances to think outside the box!
<3 Christina
Genius idea… I love it!
Very cool!!
Great Idea!! Thanks for sharing,
Jeanette
I’m making one! Not for my son (who would probably REALLY love one) I’m making one for ME! I’ll make holes for pens and pencils and markers and paint brushes, my Exacto knife maybe some scissors. Wow, I can see this becoming an all day affair with several drill bits and maybe sandpaper. Okay…fine…then I’ll make one for for my son, too. Geez, kids get all the cool stuff. xo
Great post,I really like your article
Thanks for the shout out Donna! I love your take off of my sugar mold!
Amanda
thanks so much for hosting 🙂
marissa
http://raegunwear.blogspot.com
Down South we call it a paddle bit Donna. I have a set of them in my drill bag along with
my wood and metal bit sets. I like your take on
a pencil holder. Looks like it works well. I have herbs in my sugar mold.
This post was perfectly timed! I was just putting the finishing touches on a creative art supply storage post. I hope you don’t mind if I borrowed a photo and linked to your post.