Thrift Store Desk Accessories

Repurpose some thrift store finds into new desk accessories for your office or craft room. Chalk paint and vinyl transform an old salad bowl into a catchall and a cup into a holder for pencils, pens or shears. The paint goes on with little surface preparation and dries to a wonderful matte finish. Metallic paint adds sheen and contrast.

• Wood bowl, cup and cutting board or tray
• Chalk paint and chalk paint wax
• Metallic paint
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cork square
• Acrylic sealer
• Glue
• Sandpaper
• Vinyl
• Heat gun

Wipe down the surfaces of your thrift store finds with alcohol before painting.

Paint the inside surface of the bowl and the outside of the cup using one color of chalk paint plus white.

Apply white paint in the center of the bowl and gradually add the color to create a gradation of color from light to dark. Do the same on the cup, working from one end of the cup to the other.

Paint the edge of the cutting board, leaving the center of the board unpainted so the cork will be glued to an unpainted surface. You may need several coats of the chalk paint to achieve full coverage. Allow the paint to dry.

Paint the outside of the bowl using a metallic paint of your choice. Paint the rim of the cup and the edge of the cutting board using the same paint. You will probably need 3-4 coats of the metallic paint to achieve complete coverage. Allow the paint to dry.

Sand the edges of the wooden items using rough sandpaper. Wipe the dust away using a damp paper towel.

Apply 1-2 coats of sealer to the cork and allow to dry. The sealer will protect the cork from use and allow the vinyl to adhere to the bumpy surface. Glue the cork to the cutting board.

Create a design in Cricut Design Space and size it to fit your items. I selected a design that would be in one piece after it was cut so that no transfer paper would be required to position it on my items. Cut and weed the vinyl.

Apply the vinyl to the bowl and cup. The vinyl will adhere well to the chalk paint.

Place the vinyl on the cork. Briefly heat the vinyl using a heat gun and press it down well with your fingers. Take care not to put your hand directly under the heat gun at any time and wear a glove if the vinyl is too hot to touch. When the vinyl is well stuck, you will be able to see the texture of the cork in its surface.

Apply 1 or more coats of chalk paint wax to the chalk painted and sanded wood surfaces. Allow each coat of wax to dry overnight. Buff the wax to a shine.