PVC + 5 Gallon Buckets = Great Toy Storage!

Here's a quick and easy PVC solution and a fun way to store toys or anything else...

Vivian LOVES putting things away these days...I can only hope that habit will last!  So I thought of making a small (but expandable) "storage shelf" that she can reach and where she can put balls and various other toys.  This project took less than an hour.

Materials needed:

• 1" schedule 40 PVC pipe.  They sell this in 10' increments which is just about exactly what you need for this project.
• 4 x 1" PVC slip tees
• 6 x 1" PVC slip elbows
• 1 x 1" PVC 4-way cross connector
• 2 x 1" PVC end caps
• PVC Pipe cutter (I use a table/chop saw because I cut a LOT of PVC)
• 3 x 5 gallon buckets (can get at hardware or superstore in paint section)

When I have just a few cuts to make in a 1" or smaller pipe, I will use a pipe cutter.  These range from VERY affordable to my favorite thing...the chopsaw...

 

1. Cut 10 pieces measuring 10  inches
2. Cut 2 pieces measuring 4 inches
3. Cut 3 pieces measuring 2 inches
4. Assemble as shown

 When adding the buckets, put the buckets face-down and bang the pvc onto them for a snug fit.

You could also paint the whole project now that there is awesome spray paint that bonds to plastic!

Holiday Decor of the Day - PVC Wreath

Update...after mandatory supply run today (was out of PVC glue and was trying to "wing" it with some random caulky glue which was far from successful.  Had a chance to cut up some more PVC and dig for remnants from previous projects.  Partnered with dreary weather and tornado warnings all day, it's been a good day for crafting around.   As before, Instructions and information coming soon; but one thing I will say is that if you don't have a decent table saw or chop saw (or know someone who does), then this project might be too time consuming; but the finished project is just stunning and I can't wait to improve on it even more!

It was almost fun and therapeutic once I had the right adhesives in place.  I thought about figuring out a way to create some kind fancy algorithm so that I could create a mathematically generated pattern and then I realized that I was, as I tend to do, overthinking it when I could just do it the simple way...glue one pipe...then eyeball it, and then the next.

I used a piece of plywood to serve as my staging area ad I realized that a small metal spatula is super handy for separating the pvc...one of those lucky moments when I thought the entire project was glued to the plywood until I tried the spatula (thinking that PVC glue pretty much just sticks PVC).

So there will be more detail coming soon...today's lesson learned, use the right tool for the right job, especially when it comes to glue, it makes your project so much easier!

This was Round 1 with the "caulk"...not quite the ticket

 

PVC and Me...The Beginning. Jewelry Holder.

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE making things out of PVC.  PVC is an amazing medium to work with, it's like tinker toys for grown-ups.  Being up in the mountains and having taken a break from a fast-paced career life...I have to be busy.  I also found that having a child created new challenges in my 30-year old house. 

It all started with the re-organization of my jewelry.  I am one who thinks like MacGyver...and I had lots of random bracelets and necklaces that I wasn't wearing because they were shoved into a jewelry box or a plastic storage container.  I first thought that I would use a curtain rod...

This was somewhat functional but lacking the aesthetic effect that I wanted...I also had to remove it any time I wanted to get something off of it, and subsequently remove other things surrounding whatever I was trying to get to.

Then I had a day that would change my life.  I went to my local hardware store to look for solutions.  I happened upon the plumbing supply aisle and landed in a whole new world!  My very first project was a jewelry holder.  With the discovery of PVC connectors and spray paint for plastic...I was hooked.

PVC Laundry Sorter

This was one of the first projects that inspired my love of PVC.  My laundry bin had fallen apart, it wasn't a particularly nice one...but I liked it because it had three separate bins.  It had always been flimsy, probably purchased at one of those super duper discount stores...so I decided to rebuild it.

I neglected to shoot a "before" shot...but found a similar one on a popular retailer's site.

Looks nice right?  Well, the sorter part is great.  The sorter itself is nothing special or pricey, you can buy one for around $15.  I just wanted something to LAST.

As with many of my projects, I would probably do it differently next time...consider that I was a beginner in this whole PVC medium.

I am gathering together all of the different plans to add to these posts but in the meantime they are here for your perusal.