Collections are one of those things that can grow on you…literally. Especially when like-minded friends off you bags of loot that have no sane reason to turn down. However, the only problem is when said loot spends years in your desk waiting to be made purposeful again. The time has come for me to create some upcycled wooden thread spool art from these beauties. Ready for some fun?

Now, before you chalk me up to hoarder status, I have been using these over the years. For instance, I made use of some of these for various projects like my antique washboard cupboard. And also my daughter makes necklaces for my online shop.

Now, however, I want to make use of dozens of them at once. So with that, we have an old school spool adventure on our hands.

TERMS OF USE: If you want to create a sign, you agree to the following: it cannot be shared or distributed for monetary gain in any way, it may not be modified in any way, and you may not claim the work as your own. 

DIY TIME

This project begs the question…what to do with dozens of vintage thread spools. Well, first I debated on making a pincushion of sorts, but that didn’t feel justifiable. A few other ideas came and went, until I finally settled on creating art…a sculpture, to be exact. First, I sort each spool by size. Then, I set about to place them in a shape I felt would suit my style. ahem.

Do you see it forming? Okay, so maybe it take a bit more imagination. Does this look better?

I say bock-bock, friend. hee hee. Okay, so now I have my idea, but the problem is to figure out how to mount it.

NEXT STEPS

Next, enter in my scrap wood stash. I found 3 pieces that suit my upcycled wooden thread spool project. They need some sprucing up with a few layers. I begin with two coats of a gray milk paint. Also, notice I cut three boards because…yes…I have that MANY spools. ahem.

After the coats cure, I apply a layer of hickory gel stain as a wash to create an aged appeal.

As soon as the stain cures, I attach flush-mount keyhole hardware for hanging. These pieces are great for heavy pieces, or for any kind of wall hanging.

Now the time has come to attach those spools. Enter in my favorite Titebond wood glue to the rescue. This stuff is the best I’ve ever used.

Finally, after that I went back into my junk #trashure stash to add a bit of this and that to add whimsy to my creations. I tell ya, a gal/guy who has a stash (and makes use of it) is a friend of mine.

MO CHIKIN

Ya’ll meet Sir Clucks Alot. Yes, I name my creations. Why? Well, I pour my heart into them and they are a part of me.

Isn’t he handsome? Likewise, notice his tail feathers, wing, and comb are from an old license plate I cut up with tin snips.

Likewise, here are two more creations that came about due to my surplus of spools. First, here’s my lil guy, Strut Yo Stuff.

Second, Fluffy Butt Roo makes ya smile. He’s in the likeness of my other fluffy butt creation I upcycled HERE in this post.

 

While each one is unique, they all have one thing in common…fun. Not only are they fun to creation, but also to share with you. Which one is your favorite? If you’d like to claim one of my guys as your own, I’m offering them and more in my online shop.

SHARE

Additionally, after you tell me your favorite creation, also pin and share to inspire others to get creative with their “junk” too.

Up next, it’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday! I inherited this mammoth cradle that is broken and ready for a new lease on life. Any guesses? Check it out HERE.

Be sure to see the after by signing up for my newsletter. In addition, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!

Also, more whimsy I’ve created like my upcycled wooden thread spool art: