Upcycled Vintage Graphics DIY

Vintage graphics can be upcycled and repurposed to craft an easy DIY set of hooks for nostalgic home decor style. Here’s the easy how to.

When you’re thrifting or vintage shopping, do you ever come across something and think…”oh, I like those…but what would I do with them?” And if you can’t come up with an idea, you leave them. My advice? Buy first, decide later! If you like it and know it’s unique, you’ll come up with an idea eventually. This Upcycled Vintage Graphics DIY proves it’s always a good idea to scoop it up, if it’s a good price and you like it!

Upcycled Vintage Graphics DIY

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Vintage Cheese Box Sides, en masse

When we were traveling for a wedding a while back, we stopped at several antique shops on the way home. I spotted a big pile of old cheese box sides with vintage graphics. They had never been put together, so must have come from the factory, or the printer.

They were priced at $3-4 a piece (don’t really remember). Tip: if you buy en masse, the dealer will usually give you a better price. I asked the front desk person to ask the dealer if they would give me a better price if I bought all of them. Yep-I got them for a buck a piece, and got about 40!

My initial idea was to make cheeseboxes out of them, like the originals. But after looking at them for about a year…or so, I decided they needed more creativity to be enjoyed every day.

Crafting Function With Nostalgic Charm

Happy Girl said she needed some hooks to hang her brooms, etc. in her “new” 1924 first home. I said she needed something cuter than just hooks on the wall (which she probably expected since I’m her mom;)

I had picked up a whole Costco-size nut jar full of old hooks in the hardware area of a church sale. Another Tip: Yes…always check out the “handy guy area” for cool old hardware, etc.

I texted her a picture and asked, “how about something like this?”

Because she is also quite creative and has her own taste, she requested only the green words version and no orange hooks:

Yep, that’s what she wanted. Now to get Mr. Fix-it to craft our vision;)

Upcycled DIY Cheese Box Hooks with Vintage Graphics

I suggested he cut one of the graphics in the middle of the Homestead word, so you could see the word Home by itself. I thought it was more interesting to have the pieces in a staggered brick pattern than just straight.

This is what I was picturing! I was getting excited.

Sorry for no in-process pics. As usual, I was working on something inside and he was working in the garage. We’ll be making more and I’ll add pics to this post then;)

He cut an old piece of plywood the same size as this layout:

He used wood glue and small copper nails to attach the cheese box sides to the board.

Then he attached 5 of the old, chippy hooks with old screws, just like I like. Nothing shiny and galvanized for me!

Happy Girl’s version got a black “L” shaped board around to finish it off:

Mine is happy as is:

Aren’t they too cute? Functional and nostalgic is the best combo:)

Moral of the Thrifting Story

Yes, this is an easy little DIY. You could also make these with old yardsticks or crate ends; whatever fun old graphics you find when you’re thrifting. My advice is…if you like it, buy now and decide what you’ll do with it later. The cheese graphics were found one place, the hooks found another place with months in between. You’ll come up with an idea to enjoy them, sooner or later! Parts are handy to have around.

Teaser…we’re going to be making more of these because…I’m going to start selling again! Yep, after 10 years of not selling, the goodies are piling up. And I miss enjoying having a reason to treasure hunt (cuz I am good at finding the stuff;) I’ll be moving into a booth at the beginning of April. And yes, I’ll be sure to share it with you along the way!

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Thrifting with the Gals

My Thrifting with the Gals friends are joining me today. See how Ann, Rachel and Robyn are decorating with their thrifted finds from Vermont and Maine, North Carolina, and Florida!

Rachel, The Ponds Farmhouse, “My Thrifted Home Office Reveal: Achieving Vintage Charm on a Budget”

Robyn, Robyn’s French Nest, “Blue and Green Coastal Cottage Easter Tablescape”

Ann, Dabbling and Decorating, “Thrifted Spring Decor Ideas: 7 Green Vintage Finds I’d Buy Again”

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