February 16, 2012

Making a hat stand out of a paper towel holder


Here's an easy, inexpensive, way to make a  hat stand


In April I'm doing my first show the "Fancy Flea" in Orlando and I have a bunch of hats I plan on fancying up to sell


 I was trying to think of an attractive way to display them.  Then, while walking through the thrift store I spotted a wooden paper towel holder...Eureka...Hat Stand! 


I unscrewed the extra peg, filled the hole with wood putty, and painted the stand.  I bought a 5" styrofoam ball from the craft store (They come in half balls, but they cost the same as a whole ball) and cut it in half.  I scooped out a little styrofoam so it would fit snugly on top and pinned the fabric on.


I attached the styrofoam on the stand with E-6000 and hot glue then added a little vintage lace


The flowers are off nick nacks, the tutorial is HERE.  I pick the nick nacks up cheap at thrift stores when some of the flowers are cracked or chipped, but still some good flowers left. I chip them off and attach them with E-6000 glue.


I know not everyone is a shabby lover, so here is another version.  I covered this one with vintage sheet music


Then Stamped the fabric and added vintage trim


Now I have an attractive way to display my hats!


I'm keeping my eyes open for more paper towel holders that are longing to be made into a  hat stand! 

Happy Crafting!
Carol

61 comments:

Ido said...

Your ideas are always great, I love to visit your blog! Thank you for sharing!
XXX Ido

Marti said...

Good idea. I always learn something when I stop by. Thanks.

Mari said...

This is a greatttttt idea Carol.....love it, thanks for sharing ;)
Also good luck on you show sweetie.....

Hugs~
Mari

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Those are beautiful, Carol! What a great idea! I love those hats. I've already got plans to look for some fancy shmancy hats in a couple of years {when the granddaughter is a little older} so when we have our tea parties we can look like real ladies!

Sam I Am...... said...

I'm not a collector but I have a few hats from weddings that would be nice to display. What a great idea! thanks for sharing and good luck at the "Fancy Flea"!

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

These are very cute, Carol. Your creative mind must never rest! Have a wonderful day!---- Shannon

Beverly Dillow said...

I love your idea! And...I love your hats! What fun!

Jan@southernjunkin' said...

This AB-so-lute-LY the cutest idea for all those old paper towel holders! I'm so doing this one!! Thanks for sharing!!

Carol said...

Great idea Carol!
Wooden candle sticks also make great hat stands.... I found a pretty one (tall and ornate) at the thrift store and painted it then added a styrofoam ball wrapped in batting and then a pretty fabric and now I have a great hat stand.
Can't wait to meet you at the Fancy Flea! Hubby & I will be there to shop for goodies.
Carol

Unknown said...

You deserve a nobel peace prize for creative ideas!!!! This is some smart thinking and great crafting! :D I love the idea with nicknack flowers because I do that too, if I find good ones! But the hat stand is genius! You go girl!

Hugs,

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh My Gosh Carol Sweetie...
What a gorgeous idea, and to think I tossed out 2 of these darn things just a couple of months ago, as I figured I would no longer use them. Now I am going to have to go back to the Thrift Store and buy them back.

I love the vintage looking one with the sheet music. How romantic is that? Marydon would love the one with the little pink roses. So romantic they are.

Thank you for sharing sweet friend. (I tried to get my dress form posted, and I didn't make it, but she will be appearing soon I am sure. Minnie was a little disappointed in me to say the least.)

Have a glorious day sweet friend. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

Aledia said...

Carol,
You are amazing!! Those are both beautiful and brilliant!

Have a great day!
(hugs)
Aledia

Ruby Jean said...

Auntie Carol,
I do believe I get ALL of my Creative Genius from you.... I MUST!!! these look a bit familiar... Maybe I saw them while I was peaking around in your closets when I said I just needed to use the restroom really quick... :) I LOVE LOVE LOVE these and I will never look at a Paper Towel Holder the same... Not to mention I am now VERY sad that I gave mine away a few years ago.... Do you think they will give it back.... :)
I am CERTAINLY going to make one or some of these.. Thank you for sharing it with us..

Savannah Granny said...

Sweet Carol, you are so full of ideas. I would love to be inside your head for just one day. Oh, the wonderful things I could accomplish!
Thanks for the many ideas. The hat rack is wonderful. Of course you know, I will never be able to find a paper towel holder. Everyone will be grabbing them up for hat racks! LOL
Hugs, Ginger

Anonymous said...

Yes! I have done this very thing with a paper towel holder. I display my hats when I do vintage clothing and accessories speaking programs for ladies' groups. I have been thinking, though, of brisking up a number of pieces that are a bit dilapidated and possibly - eventually - maybe - starting an Etsy shop of my own. I look forward to seeing your creations at the Polka Dot Closet!!

Joy!
Kathy at The Writer's Reverie

Unknown said...

How clever! I absolutely adore the one with sheet music!

Have a good day!

Nancy

Unknown said...

Hello Carol very cool.... I like it
Simona

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Well now aren't those the bee's knees?

too cute--
Pat

Marisa said...

Love it !!!! You are my hero. How do you come up with all of these great ideas?

Judith Tetley said...

Oh my...you have excelled with this one Carol! They look wonderful and useful too.
Kind Regards
Judith
http://creativestudio1.blogspot.com

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

I wish I had just a tenth of the ideas you come up with! This is great!!!

Dawnll said...

I just love them-can't believe I never thought of them before! Oh yea there is going to be a run on towel holders now...lol
Glad you got rid of the last guests from the ball you know they might look like ladies but some can be real lushes! tee hee
Hugs my friend

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Carol,
I see your creative wheels are turning madly. I love this idea for making hat stands. They are adorable.

hugs
Sissie

Anonymous said...

they are absolutely wonderful. love your blog and follow everyday.
thanks for sharing
Carole R.
ziggyr214@aol.com

Barbara DeLisle said...

fantastic idea and love the hats. Can you give my information on the Vintage Flea. I live just two hours away and would love to come.
bardeli1@yahoo.com Thanks

Diane said...

So glad to have found your blog...you are so creative! Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Createology said...

I just love your creative eyes and transformations. These are wonderful hat stands as they are perfectly balanced already. Superb my dear...

debb said...

Brilliant...and beautiful!

Heart Vintage Design said...

Another great idea I just love!

Anonymous said...

You are such a creative gal! I love all your ideas! Those are so adorable! Traci

Ricki Treleaven said...

This is so darn cute! What a clever idea!

xo,
RJ

❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁ said...

What a clever idea!! I was fortunate enough to find a wire hat stand at an antique store that I cherish! But if I ever decide to buy another hat, I'll keep the paper towel holder in mind.

Shabby and Frills said...

I love this Blog. I love this Blog.
Have I said I love this Blog

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

Adorable as always...you clever girl you! Have you recovered from the ball? It was great by the way! ~Stacy~ xo

Debbie said...

What a great idea, Carol. I actually have one of those very paper towel holders around here. I used to use it to hold the girls' scrunchies when they were little. I'm picturing it in my older daughter's (former) room. She is a hat gal so I have plenty to display.

Thanks for a terrific idea!

Rona Gregory said...

Love them!

xx

Tee said...

Brilliant and Beautiful

Barbara said...

Fabulous idea!

Stacey said...

I found your blog from a link to make the hatstand on Pinterest. I have spent about 3 or 4 hours reading your blog since. Can I just say you are the MOST talented, creative woman ever!! I am loving everything you have on your blog. I will certainly be back for daily visits!!

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

Just too clever!! I love it....and your blog! Good luck with the hat sale.

Candy said...

NEAT IDEA. I see a trip to Good Will in the near future.

debi said...

Oh, your hat stands are gorgeous! I've got to find me some paper towel holders.

Rhissanna said...

Wow, this is really a clever idea! I need a hatstand for my lovely cloche hat, and one like this would be just right.

Good luck with the hat sale. We'd love to see pictures of the hats!

Emanuela @ My Little Inspirations said...

What a brilliant idea!!!...And your hats are amazing!!!

Emanuela

Ann said...

These are too cute for words...thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

this is such a fantastic idea.
Thanks for sharing.
Michele

Char said...

Oh Carol,
you have done it again my friend, and now I am wondering if your talented brain ever rests.
This is a beautiful project and perfect for taking something not so cute and giving a brand new life as a beauty.
Well done,
Char

Joyce - Quilted Nest said...

Why didn't I think of that? Thrift stores are gonna start to wonder why they can suddenly sell these paper towel holders :)

Ann said...

Fabulous hat stands, such a good idea.

I luuuuuuuuuuuuurve hats, I think this stems from my late mum as she also liked hats and was a buyer for a shop in town, many many years ago. I loved my hats I wore at our 2 daughters weddings.
Good luck with your venture.

Charlotte Wilson said...

You are so clever. I never would have thought of that. I love it!

Annesphamily said...

Oh this is so sweet! We are having a Springtime Tea Party and my two girls and I just ordered new hats! My oldest has a Mad Hatter hat! She won first prize at a bridal shower last May for the best hat! SO I am always looking for something to display a hat on! I found one at a catalog co. but it is very pricey. I may try this is I can find the wood pt holder. Cool!
You have the sweetest blog. I always love stopping by.
Hugs Anne

Jane said...

Aren't you the clever one! I love this project, the paper towel holder never looked so good!! Great idea, as always!!
Jane
P.S. Coming to Orlando sometime in April for a meeting. You know how these meetings go, probably no free time, but maybe I can give you a call.

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

You are just too clever! I'll never look at a paper towel holder quite the same way again.

Stampindamour said...

OMG!! Carol - this is too darling!!! These will sell well for you at Fancy Flea! xo

-pamela :)

Elizabeth said...

What a wonderful idea! I just found your blog, I am in Florida also and hope to visit your booth someday! Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

I love this idea. I'm going to hunt down old paper towel holders now.

Little Susie Home Maker said...

I love this idea for hat holder!
Blessings,
Susie

Debbiedoos said...

Now that is clever my friend. How cute!

Sisters Treasures said...

Carol, Thanks for commenting on our blog. The 1st thing I noticed on yours was Orlando, FL. My son lives there so I will need to find you on my next trip. Great blog with fabulous ideas.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I love both versions. You're oh so very creative - thanks for sharing the beauty. Hugs ~ Mary

Donna at the Scarlet Petticoat said...

genius....plain and simple genius!! hope you sell lots of hats!!