I was also delighted to find this little wooden box at the thrift store. Sure I could have built one, but finding one for a dollar is always exciting. As you can see, I painted it the slightest shade of blue and did some instant aging with sandpaper and stain.
With the addition of the cute little knob, I have a 
I purchased a large wooden letter from the craft store and sprayed it black. Once dry I traced around it onto scrapbook paper.
This letter is so large that it took two pieces so I matched up the two in the middle. I used spray adhesive to adhere the paper. Then I roughed up the edges and a few spots here and there with sandpaper.
I rubbed the edges and sanded spots with a coordinating oil pastel, 
and then painted and quickly wiped off diluted brown craft paint around the edges to give it the charm of age.
I sealed it with Mod Podge and then finished it off by gluing on some scrapbook brad heads where the two papers meet. 
I hope that both my daughter and her friend like it.
It was love at first sight.
I used Caramel Latte metallic
Once dry, I brushed over the frame with
And it does a great job
I found this little spoon at the thrift store. 
I simply strung a chain through the opening
***For a bonus silverware idea,
I found an inexpensive faux silver tray, the kind you buy at the dollar store. I pulled out a piece of scrapbook paper reminiscent of vintage wallpaper. Next, I traced the inner area under the tray and cut it out.
I applied the paper to the tray using spray adhesive. Then I warmed up my glue gun and glued each utensil onto the tray. Once dry, I added a pretty little ribbon.
To showcase the entire piece I placed it inside the smallest jar of my apothecary set.
Now the set is complete. They look beautiful sitting on a counter in my kitchen.
You'll need:
Cut or leave the dowel as long as you desire and glue it into the base. Add a finial to the top of the dowel. Paint the dowel stand and let dry. Load with spools.
And there you have a quick and easy organizing tool for spools.
For some strange reason I decided that I wanted them to color coordinate with the other storage boxes in my closet. So I painted the lid of one using craft paint. Fortunately, I stopped at just the lid because after it dried, all it took was the scratch of my fingernail to take off all of the paint.
I tore up pieces of craft paper and scrunched them. Then I applied the craft paper to the box using watered down mod podge.
The result looks great, kind of like leather. But it took almost two hours. TWO HOURS for one little box and I still have two boxes to do! I just don't think this is worth my time. I mean really, it's not like my closet is going to be featured on the cover of some nation wide magazine.
So the lesson to be learned? 
As I was taking this picture my youngest son asked if I was going to decorate the other two boxes. I told him no because it took too long. He asked, "So do you regret doing it?" My answer, "No, because I learned something. There are no regrets when you learn a lesson." I tried something that I've wanted to do. I will probably try this technique again, on something bigger like an old trunk.
Labels don't have to be office supply ordinary. It's always an enjoyable touch to turn the practical into the pretty. It gives you even more reason to smile when opening an organized closet.
Interestingly enough, my husband and I had a discussion about labels a few days ago while out on our morning walk. We didn't discuss the labels that help keep us organized, but rather the labels we tend to give ourselves. We all do it. Unfortunately, personal labels aren't always as wonderful as organizational labels, although both can serve as a means to contain. Have you noticed that often the labels we give ourselves are not positive and character building? In fact it's the negative labels that truly do keep us contained and boxed up. Personal negative labels keep us from growing and experiencing all the good that life has to offer. Negative labels can also keep us from giving the best of ourselves to others.
I realize this daily in my own life and I'm trying to break out of my boxes with negative labels. It's definitely not an easy thing, especially when the labels have been there for years. But I know that if I am to become the person I am meant to be, I have to remove the stifling negative labels and replace them with encouraging positive labels.
The incredible thing about giving positive labels to ourselves is that it can become contagious and before you know it, you'll find yourself giving those around you positive labels too.
Aren't they wonderful!
Of course I needed to make my own version.
When painting any basket, it's good to soak it in water first, and then dilute the paint a bit for the best coverage.
First I gave them a quick coat of paint, then I tore some scrap book paper into pieces and applied it using mod podge.
They seemed a bit plain so I applied more mod podge and covered them with sparkling crystal glitter.
Who says Easter eggs only look good in pastels?
Don't do this with boiled eggs you'll eat.
If you don't like them in black,
Now, you're probably saying,
The shelves are so far apart that we (okay, I) would pile things one on top of another. It was hazardous to come near the closet, let alone open the doors and search for something. You think I'm kidding? When I asked one son to clean the room, he backed a chair up to the closet in effort to barricade anyone from getting close to opening the doors.
I've been organizing the big supplies using my grocery boxes.
For the little things, I've decided to nix the plastic bins and use some of the treasures I've gathered while thrifting.
The school teacher in me HAD to buy this this vintage school tote when I saw it. Now my scissors look so pretty and organized. 
My husband rolled his eyes when I brought home this restaurant condiment tray. But, it's perfect for organizing all those little office supplies.
I still have some work to do, but it's a lot more fun to organize with my thrift store treasures.