Introduction: Baby Arms Jewelry Rack

About: I like to make stuff. I teach stagecraft to high school kids, and have won some awards for it. In my dream world, I will get to make wacky stuff all day and teach other people how to make wacky stuff. Teach…

I live in only 350 sqft, so storage is ALWAYS an issue. I need a functional decorative piece, and this was my solution.

Also looks pretty damn cool without the jewelry.

Step 1: Stuff You Will Need

A framed piece of plywood. I had some frame corners laying around, so I glued them on a piece of plywood and spray painted them gold. You could also buy a frame at a garage sale or thrift store.

BABY ARMS (this is the toughie.) I got mine at a used mannequin store. Most were solid, but I had to fill a few with bondo in some spots.

Fabric to cover the plywood with.

Super 77 spray adhesive to glue the fabric down.

1 1/4" drywall screws (I used 3/8ths inch thick plywood; for thicker wood, you'll need longer screws.)

A screw gun.

Gold spraypaint.

Createx transparent airbrush paint in Dark Brown.

A paint brush.

Some paper towels.

A staple gun and staples.

{A note about paint color: You could also use silver spray with transparent black, or copper with matte green, or matte black with matte reddish-orangey brown.}

Step 2: Arm Placement

Arrange the baby arms on the front of the piece, and trace around them with a pencil. Number the circles, and the arms so they match up later.

Put screws in through the center of the circles, and remove them.

Step 3: Flip the Screws

Put the screws BACK IN, from the back to the front. The screws should stick out all pokey like.

Step 4: Mount Fabric

Spray Super 77 on the front of the plywood. Try not to get it all over your frame; use tape or a piece of cardboard to mask.

Lay the fabric over the top of the frame; try not to press it down yet, let it "float" on the screws.

Starting from center working outwards, push the fabric over the screws. Stretch and flatten the fabric as you go.

Step 5: Start Trimming

Because I only had corners, I made some slits so I could wrap the fabric around the back on the sides.

Step 6: Trim the Fabric

Push the fabric tightly in the corners, and trim away with an xacto knife.

Step 7: Wrap the Sides

Because I used corners only, I wrapped the fabric around the sides and stapled it down.

Step 8: Add the Arms!

Pro tip: Do the most angled ones first.

Grab an arm, and twist it onto one of the screws that's sticking out. You did remember to number the arms, right?

Repeat until the arms are all screwed on.

Step 9: Add More Screws to Stabilize the Arms

The arms will flop and twist if you don't add at least one more screw to each. Just screw them in with your screw gun, about half an inch to 3/4s of an inch from the center screw.

Step 10: Add Antiquing Finish

I like the createx because it gets in the cracks, but lets the gold shine through a bit.

Paint it on with a brush, wipe it off with a paper towel.

Step 11: You're Done!

Mount on the wall, and enjoy!

Halloween Decor Contest 2015

Participated in the
Halloween Decor Contest 2015