Any guesses what I’m repurposing these ceiling fan pieces into?
I never really noticed that all of these pieces are twisted slightly to allow for the slant on the ceiling fan blade. I gently bent them to a straighter position.
I grabbed a piece of scrap MDF and framed it in with some casing.
I used some Gorilla Wood Glue to hold them in place. This casing was of course a curb find hence the holes. I used some spackling to fill the holes.
Now this picture definitely gives it away! Some people (not me) collect vintage rolling pins. I’ve been thinking about a way to display them ever since Granny J mentioned it a couple of months ago. I had sort of thought I would use some kind of ceiling fan (arms, I believe they are called). I had planned to use the ones that Jamie brought to me in June. However, when I noticed that they are twisted, I tried to bend them in the vice and was unable to get them to look straight. Then I ran across these at Joey’s “fire sale” last week. He sold me that whole lot of stuff for $5.00, so I am supposing I paid about .50 for the set of 5.
I was having a hard time holding them to test how they would actually hold the rolling pin. I really like them in this position, but it was very hard to slide the rolling pin into position. The only way to really test it was to screw them into my work table. I didn’t want to put “test” holes in the board I made.
Here is the board with one coat of primer on it. I was testing the black pieces on this color. I sort of wanted a neutral but not white. This primer was an oops Kilz.
I decide that the pieces will have to be scooted over to the edge in order for the rolling pins to slide in and out easily. The pins will be held in place by their handles, not the rolling part.
This is after 3 coats of the primer. I used a little adjustable work bench to hold it so that I could figure out exactly where to put the top two pieces.
This is after 3 coats of the primer. I used a little adjustable work bench to hold it so that I could figure out exactly where to put the top two pieces.
The rolling pins can even be displayed in tandem.
I’m thinking it looks a little plain, like it needs some embellishment. Maybe some prettier rolling pins would dress it up better?
What do you think? I know I need to get some black screws. The only ones I had were too long. You know how impatient we DIY ladies can be!
Once again I have the problem with grainy pictures when I don’t use a flash.
So, there ya go, a quick and easy project! Wouldn’t you know the day after I worked on this, I came across the cabinet door that I picked up at Ikea. It would have worked perfectly for this project. I could make another if I can get those other arms bent into a straight position. 😉
I updated this rolling pin holder by painting it white.
I hope this inspires you to think outside the box and repurpose something soon.
gail
Jennie says
October 13, 2017 at 9:26 amI love this. I collect rolling pins. We just replaced a fan in the new little house. And I have 2 cabinet doors. One for a chalk board. Now I have a use for the matching door. Oh, I can’t wait to get started. You have the best ideas.
Gail Wilson says
October 13, 2017 at 10:16 amJennie,
Would you believe I still have this?! I need to take it to Glendale NEXT week. OMGosh, I am so not ready. Thanks for being so supportive of My Repurposed Life and your sweet comment about Jamie and Andy’s adoption, and the generous donations. You rock my friend!
gail
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Toodie says
July 12, 2012 at 2:56 amOh goodness! I just did a google search for rolling pin displays and found this! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!
Erin@likegrandmas says
August 15, 2010 at 9:05 pmThat is so cool!! Icky looking fan parts before, fabulous rolling pin holder after!!!
Erin The Apartment Homesteader says
August 15, 2010 at 4:36 pmI love this. This is AWESOME!
shannon i olson says
August 15, 2010 at 12:54 amThis is a fantastic project, Love it!
Ali@Honey and Maple Syrup says
August 14, 2010 at 6:42 amWhat a fun idea!!
Funky Junk Interiors says
August 14, 2010 at 6:35 amVery cool, Gail! You could always apply a glaze to the door for some extra variation in tones. I LOVE old rolling pins!
Donna
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says
August 14, 2010 at 6:16 amYou really are the repurposing queen!!! I LOVE it & I’m putting it in the PoPP Spotlight on Saturday.
Creative Ambitions says
August 14, 2010 at 2:23 amGail… I like this!! I think it’s a great idea! And I like the way it looks with THOSE rolling pins. 🙂
Diann says
August 14, 2010 at 1:27 amWhat a great idea! I would never have thought of this! You just have one awesome, creative mind!
Barbara Jean says
August 14, 2010 at 1:24 amGreat repurposing!
Love the old rolling pins. Do you like rustic? You could rustic up the whole thing a bit?
A bit of embellishment would be good. but, not sure what. hmm. maybe just some black screws in the corners to hold the board on the cupboard end?
How about just dabbing some black paint on the screws, then you do not have to take it apart. =)
thanks for the newsletter and ideas.
blessings
barbara jean
That one girl says
August 13, 2010 at 12:50 amWhoa, you are smart! This is brilliant. Why didn’t I sit behind YOU during all my hard classes in high school?!
Anna says
August 11, 2010 at 2:22 pmcute idea! I have seen a lot of rolling pins in antique stores. I like the ones I’ve seen with green painted handles
Vintagesouthernlife says
August 11, 2010 at 4:25 amGreat idea! I love your blog… so many creative projects. You are the queen for thinking outside of the box.!
Annette
Sylvia says
August 11, 2010 at 2:16 amYou aren’t just thinking outside the box; you are thinking outside the pie tin, too. Your brain is amazing. This is beyond cool.
Meg says
August 11, 2010 at 2:16 amBrilliant! What a clever idea! Love it. You know what I do when the screws don’t match the paint? I use a black sharpie to color over them! I know–I’m such a cheater! But, it works!
I’d love for you to check out my blog for a fun giveaway!
http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/2010/08/another-csn-store-giveaway.html
Nestled In Rosenberg says
August 11, 2010 at 1:04 amI love this! You are the queen of repurposing!!
Pam says
August 10, 2010 at 10:34 pmHA! Who would have thought it….great idea.
curlyQdesign says
August 10, 2010 at 8:53 pmVery creative!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, too. I just changed my settings, after your comment. {Didn’t realize they were so annoying}
🙂 Thanks for the hint, Michelle
hiking2life says
August 10, 2010 at 8:28 pmI love this so much, I am going to make one for my mammie for chirstmas. I was thinking it would be way cute with little cup hooks on the bottom for measuring cups! Since she would be using her rolling pin instead of just a collection display. Thanks for the idea! I love your blog
Homemade Quilts by Granny says
August 10, 2010 at 6:43 pmWell Gail you have done it again….you inspire me too try to think outside the box but I just don’t think I will ever be as creative at crafts as you are…my ideas always go back to fabric or painting. God Bless Trish
Molly @ A Bit O' Shine says
August 10, 2010 at 6:39 pmTotally brilliant!!
I was given a vintage rolling pin for making springerle cookies and I would love to display it all the time because it has this great pattern on the roller.
Love, love, love this!
Jill says
August 10, 2010 at 6:22 pmVery cool! I’ve seen something like this but they actually used the rolling pins like a towel rack!
Kelli says
August 10, 2010 at 5:50 pmI love that! My guess was WAAAAAY off 🙂 I was thinking…fancy garden markers. I’m not as creative as you, for sure. I think a vintage photo or decal would be cool to add to the board. Great job, again! (when I used the wrong color of screws, I just dabbed a bit of black paint onto them…really lazy DIYer!)
kelley blake says
August 10, 2010 at 5:09 pmSo creative Gail! You are too crafty for words 🙂
Marydon says
August 10, 2010 at 4:42 pmWhat a marvelous idea, Gail! I would just paint the background a different color, with the white border frame. I put my family rolling pins in a crock on the counter.
Have a wonderful summer day ~
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon
Nana's Fun Stuff says
August 10, 2010 at 4:24 pmOh very cute!!! I didn’t guess that one at all 🙂
Teri says
August 10, 2010 at 4:08 pmSmart idea! Your grandma is going to love it! 🙂
Amber says
August 10, 2010 at 3:19 pmomg, I love, love, love this idea. I collect rolling pins and I’m going to do this straight away!! Thanks for posting this!
Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence says
August 10, 2010 at 3:16 pmBrilliant–oh I love those old pins, now I want to make a pie.
Candace@craftysisters-nc says
August 10, 2010 at 2:42 pmVery clever Gail! Only you can see beyond the scraps of a ceiling fan! 🙂
Proper Prim says
August 10, 2010 at 2:10 pmWow that is the most clever idea I have seen in so long… you do come up with some good ones.
I would definitely grunge it up a bit… have to keep in line with the vintage age… what about wrapping the middle of your pins with burlap and tie it on with twine or burlap strings…
I also like the stencil idea too with some kitchen sayings or maybe a pie recipe or cookie recipe, something you would use a rolling pin for. You could take some old beaten recipes and decoupage them on the backing too.
Hope that all makes sense… lol
Great job and awesome idea.
Hugs, Deb
the cape on the corner says
August 10, 2010 at 1:53 pmlookin good. i was gonna comment about putting some black paint on those screws, but i see that rose beat me to it. i second that idea, then!
beansgood says
August 10, 2010 at 1:26 pmGenius! ….but, me thinks it needs to be shabbied up some. Rose has some wonderful suggestions. I can see easily envision the word stencil with a worn look.
Granny J says
August 10, 2010 at 12:28 pmYou said you don’t collect vintage rolling pins. Well then just where did you borrow those from? They look pretty vintage to me. How much for that display rack and rolling pins just like it is?
Granny J says
August 10, 2010 at 12:24 pmOMG that is perfect. Grampy, get the ladder! I need you to take down the ceiling fan. lol The rolling pins look great displayed with them resting on the handles. I’d use some old fashioned wallpaper in the insert if you feel it needs anything. I think it’s perfect though. Thank you so much for the idea. I’ll be watching for some ceiling fan blades.
Denise says
August 10, 2010 at 12:14 pmIf you do put something on it I would go with something simple. I think it looks great, you are so creative!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
August 10, 2010 at 12:09 pmwhat a neat idea! i was going to guess curtain rod supports. i was close, i guess? 😉
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
August 10, 2010 at 12:09 pmwhat a neat idea! i was going to guess curtain rod supports. i was close, i guess? 😉
Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic says
August 10, 2010 at 11:56 amThat’s a clever use of the fan brackets. Maybe a decoupaged picture to dress up the background?
Scrapbook paper or wallpaper or something with a bit of pattern but not overbearing.
Or maybe a word stencil, with baking terms…
Can’t go wrong with your favorite fleur d lis pattern either…..
Of course it’s just fine the way it is too!
A dab if black paint on the screw heads will make them disappear.