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!

Got Tutu's? Another PVC solution!

So there are lots of "Tu"-torials online about making no-sew tutu's (pardon the pun, I couldn't resist)...and, aside from a few that tell you to loop the elastic around your leg...very little about easier ways to work with your tutu in progress AND store your tutu's without worrying with pesky skirt hangers...that's most likely because they haven't found ME yet!

Unlike some of my other projects with PVC, this one is so simple that ANYONE could do it. 

Supplies needed:

• 1 piece (or shorter if you can get it) of 3/4 inch PVC.  (PVC comes in 10 foot lengths.  This makes it sometimes awkward to fit into a car or SUV; however, the 3/4 inch is more flexible so that tends to be less of a problem).  Cost?  About $2.
• A PVC cutter (in general, I use a chop saw because I am obsessed...but for the 3/4 inch, it's a cinch to cut by hand)  Home Depot sells an easy ratcheting PVC cutter by Brasscraft for about $14.  You can also use a hacksaw but that's kind of a pain.
• 4 - 3/4 inch slip tees
• 2 - 3/4 inch slip elbows

;Other than that, you shouldn't need too much instruction if you ever played with tinker toys...but if you do, let me know!

One tip, if you are making or displaying/storing tutus that are "toddler" size OR using hairbands then your cross pieces should be approximately 8 inches.  In general, take the normal width of your tutu waistband and subtract 2 inches for your cross pieces.

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.