Repurposed Printer’s Drawer Junk Display
Got a Printer’s tray? Repurpose it into a clever upcycled DIY clock display with this easy how to.
Vintage lovers love a good story to go with our newfound treasures, don’t we? We crave knowing what the history is behind the wonky piece we’ve just scored for a song. But when we don’t get the story or don’t even remember where (or when) we picked up the great piece of junk, it can be fun to improvise! Today I’m sharing a DIY Repurposed Printer’s Drawer Junk Display and the story I made up to go with it!
Repurposed Printer’s Drawer Junk Display
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The DIY Printer’s Drawer Story
Truth be told, this Vintage Printer’s tray isn’t a real one, after all! It’s a fake. Which I guess makes me like it even more! Someone took the time to create this knock-off for themselves or someone they loved.
When paneling was all the rage, they cut a piece of extra from their rumpus room re-do and meticulously cut a bunch of small pieces of wood for dividers. Then they used glue and a whole bunch of very tiny nails to create this one-of-a-kind display piece.
The story I made up involves a handy husband down in his basement workshop whipping this little project up for his sweet wife while she’s making a meatloaf dinner, or maybe a fresh apple pie. They don’t have much extra money, so he’s crafting something special for her birthday, imitating a vintage Printer’s drawer she had envied at one of her friends’ homes.
The wife had been dreaming of hanging a Printer’s drawer in her sewing room for awhile. She had a bunch of cute little cut-out wood trinkets she wanted to display, along with her thimbles and other crafty items. She figured someday she’d find one she could afford, until her husband happily gifted her with his custom version!
Fast forward to the 80’s, when this imitation, well-loved Printer’s Drawer was filled with well-earned dust, filling up each little square. It’s dusty self ended up sitting on the garage shelf for many years until the kids decided to clear out mom and dad’s stuff, with a huge sale.
Exactly when all of us vintage junker’s rejoice, right? A couple bucks later, a good scrubbing with some sudsy water and a toothbrush, and a day in the warm sunshine. Finish off this treasure with a good spray of poly, or a couple coats of lemon oil and it looks as good as new!
“Refreshing and Replenishing Wood Pieces, Quickly and Easily“
Repurposed Clock Display
This Fake Printer’s Drawer got new life as an architectural backdrop for our very-important, by-the-exit clock. Who else absolutely needs a clock right by the back door? I get complaints if I take it down.
The clock looked too small on the wall. The printer’s tray backdrop turns a functional piece into wall art!
Upcycled Junk Collection Display
At my house, whenever deep down cleaning is happening or walls get painted, decor items never end up as they were before ( which totally frustrates Mr. Fix-it). Once the kitchen wall got a new shade of paint, I decided to take this printer’s tray to the next level.
Mr. Fake Printer’s Box needed some junky bling to elevate him to Monet status! Enter the junk drawer contents…and some E6000 glue. (get it HERE).
Junk drawer collection items to add to your printer’s drawer:
- scrabble letters
- alarm clock gears
- old keys
- numbers
- hose faucets
- metal clips
- vintage hinges
Did I hear you squeal? Then you’re a junk lover like me, friend! I can’t let all this good junk sleep in the drawers; it needs to be seen…everyday. Because…
It’s always a good TIME for Junk!
Mr. Handyman could never have envisioned all my junk drawer contents filling his creation, I’m sure! There’s beauty in totally re-imagining a forlorn, vintage, fake Printer’s Drawer!
I left a few squares empty for future cool finds. I like to clip seasonal printables in the clips, so I can switch things up for the season or holiday.
If you’ve got a tired printer’s drawer laying around collecting dust, it’s time to revive it with some junky bling! Even if your printer’s tray is a fake, like mine, there’s still hope!
Are you going to make up a story for your vintage junk finds? It’s kind of fun:) Hopefully you enjoyed the story as much as the upcycle!
Find my Favorite Vintage Reviver’s Resources in my Amazon shop HERE.
Find vintage printer’s drawers HERE.
This Repurposed Printer’s Drawer Junk Display is the best way to turn a functional clock into clever wall art. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to become an Insider, to keep the ideas flowing!
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I was very surprised to see this! Many years ago I was out “junking” & I came across a very similar item & bought I quickly bought it for a few bucks, Having once worked as a jeweler, I recognized what I’m pretty sure was an old time watchmakers bench finding & supply holder. I’ve left it inside, occasionally looking at it, thinking, “What can-should I do with it”? After reading this article, I’m (finally;-) ready to go for it. It’s not likely that it’ll house findings & watch parts again, but while re-doing my bedroom, I came across many tiny treasures that were just sitting in drawers or boxes, so I’ve got your suggestions & items the correct size to fit in each box. Thanks for posting this article, somehow I’d never seen another one like it, either vintage or custom made.
So glad to give you an idea for enjoying your treasure! Have fun!
I love how this turned out! You are so creative, Lora!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Thanks, Niky:)
I love this clock and junk art display Lora, and of course how that creative mind of yours works! Your cute story of the handmade printers drawer is a keeper! 😊
Aw, thanks, Michelle:)
Lora,
This is just adorable. What a great way to display a clock. I also love that is handmade and loved your story. I love to imagine the history of all my finds.
Me, too, Rachel; the stories they could tell!
Lora, before you added all the goodies and just had the clock on this piece, I thought “wow, that’s brilliant!” But then you added all the vintage goodies and wow, you really made this piece into a work of art! Pinned 🙂
Aw, thanks so much, Cindy!
Wow Lora, it’s beautiful. Love all the junky bits that you added. It’s definitely a work of art now. So cool
Thanks, Michelle! Double bonus…I cleared out some things from my junk drawer:)
LOVE IT! 🙂
Thanks!
I love this idea and the story also. I need to figure out how to make one because I bet they are hard to find. I love all of the bits and pieces you put in it also. It turned out great.
Thanks, Debra! Good luck on the junk hunt!
That looks great! I also loved the idea of a backdrop for a wreath!
Tania
Thanks, Tania! I think a pretty green wreath would look awesome with a cool, architectural wood backdrop! Guess I’ll have to go hunting for another, right;)?
Love this idea, need to dig my printers box out of the storage shed. I also like the clock. Would you mind sharing where you found it?
Janet, my mom gave it to me years ago from Restoration Hardware. Definitely go dig out your printer’s drawer and give it a little freshening up; then you can enjoy it a whole new way!
What a great backdrop for your clock. I looked at every single space! I’m glad you explained about why you left a few empty caz I wanted something in each square! I love E6000 for all kinds of projects. I’ve never seen a clock like that’ I like it; I had an old oven timer I’d set for 20 min. of chores, piano practice, kids’ reading, timeout, etc.
My mom gifted me with this Restoration Hardware clock years ago and I still love it! Think I should set the timer for myself sometimes! I’m excited to see what future junk items I can come up with for the empty spaces; gives me a reason to keep hunting!
This is super clever! I love it! You’re a person after my own heart figuring out an ingenious way to use all those interesting bits of junk. That’s exactly what I save my junk for!
Thanks, Florence! I want to see it and enjoy it on a daily basis, not have it hiding in a “some day” drawer!
What a wonderful display, Lora…definitely more interesting than a floating clock! Great job!
Oh, thanks, Linda. You know us former sellers still have plenty of junk laying around!