How to Make a Sunglasses/jewelry Stand Using a Recycled Cardboard Tube

Intro: How to Make a Sunglasses/jewelry Stand Using a Recycled Cardboard Tube

I make vinyl decals, and have been trying to come up with something re-useful to do with the empty cardboard rolls that the vinyl comes on. This is my first idea that I thought was easy and useful. This is also my very first instructable ..... please be gentle! Hope others find it useful too!

STEP 1:

Gather your materials. I happened to have this stuff around my house so it was fast and easy. If you need a sturdy cardboard tube, check local sign shops. They may be willing to give them to you. You can use whatever your fav. cutting tool is. I'm sure a dremel might work nicely.

STEP 2:

Measure down about 2" from the top of tube and draw your first shape. I've found my design works adequately, but feel free to play around with it. Make note that this is what will be holding your sunglasses in place.

STEP 3:

Using your cutting tool of choice, carefully cut out the shape you just drew. This piece will now be the template you use for the rest of the holes you'll need to make. After spacing and tracing you should cut out the rest of the shapes.

STEP 4:

Once all holes are cut and cleaned of any ragged edges, its time to paint. I just used spray paint that I had on hand. I've made 2 of these, one black one with regular gloss paint, and a white one with Krylon Prime and Paint in one. I think the primer one had better coverage. Either way 2-3 coats. It only has to dry about 10-15 minutes between coats. Make sure to paint the inside too.

STEP 5: Voila!

Accessorize! You could easily add more cut outs or use take out chop sticks poked through the tube to hold bracelets and necklaces also. This is an easy project, but saves your sunglasses from getting all scratched or lost. Hope you like. There are countless ways this can be embellished and personalized.

Comments

[cjpeterson]

The tubes opening is about 3" in diameter, and its a thicker cardboard. I think both of these factors and the fact that the things being organized aren't very heavy make it fairly sturdy. Thanks for the feedback!

[carakiller]

I reckon if you had a few necklaces at the top it might be apt to tip over, but if it were a poster tube you were using and had a plastic bottom you could fill it with an inch or two of gravel (or similar) to keep it bottom heavy.

Great idea for storing/displaying sunglasses, thanks!

[cjpeterson]

The shipping tube is my next one up and, yes that is an excellent point with filling the bottom ( great idea). I suppose you could always close the bottom of any tube with duck tape or something else and add any item of weight that you had on hand. I was really going for the recycling aspect. Thank you for your feedback! :)

[scoochmaroo]

That's great! How do you keep it from tipping over? I'm totally looking forward to a whole slew of projects from you on how to reuse these cardboard tubes!