a handmade mother’s day gift

I decided this year, for mother’s day, to do something a little different.

My sister in law had a little something like this hanging in her bathroom, and I remember eyeing it about a year ago, thinking I totally wanted to make one: the perfect little garden shelf/jewelry holder/bathroom shelf for the space in need of a little umph. So, what better opportunity than mother’s day? A collection of salvaged upcycled into something useful.

I’ve had this collection of crusty white shutters for a while now. So, I rescued them from their long occupied spot in the garage, along with two pieces of wood, and decided to compose a piece for the wall. Want to make one? Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A piece {or two} of wood {the depth of the shelf will be dependent upon how large your brackets are.} + brackets {two}

2. A stain and sponge {I used walnut in the Minwax line}

3. Old shutters that you see everywhere you turn in the fleamarket/garage sale/thriftstores.

* you will also need: {not pictured but painted blue in the finished piece} a 9″ key rail {you can find this in the hardware section of home depot}

• a picture hanging kit + screws

*before I began assembly, I attached the picture hanging kit on the back of the shutters.

1. I stained the pieces of wood {which I cut and adjusted to size when I was ready to start building.} + I also painted the key rail for a touch of blue, as shown above.

2. + 3. Busting out the handy dandy screw driver, I simply lined up the brackets and the wood, and screwed them in. I then eyeballed the {now painted} key rail and attached it, as well.

TADA! salvaged pieces to create a unique piece of art for your momsie. {my mom and mother in law may or may not be receiving these as a gift.*}

*that was a default distraction tactic. Wouldn’t want to ruin any surprises.

And there you have it! A simple, handmade, versatile, salvaged piece of art for your home. A fun gift to give to yourself, or any other mom you may know.

I’m linking up! Check out these other great projects, here.