May 24, 2012 | 17 Comments

See-Thru Art Easel

Contributing Writer: Virginia Davidson

I have an obsession with kid and teaching supplies.  I used to teach, so I guess it’s the leftovers of that.  Anyway, I still get all of the magazines, and something similar to this came in one of them.  I can’t say I invented it, but my hubby sure made if for $$$ cheaper than what was in the catalog!  (We also don’t need to serve 12 kids!)


the inspiration from Adventurous Child

When you’re done with this all that you’ll need is your camera, a hose, towel and art supplies.

Send your kids out with window markers, window crayons, water based paints, whatever art medium as long as it can wash off with the hose!
No more fighting over paper or the same side of the easel!  
SUPPLIES:
  • Wolmanized lumber 2×4 (3~3′ and 2~6′)
  • Deck Screws – stainless steel 8×2-1/2 – so they don’t rust
  • Plexiglass ~ we used 1/8″ thick(go to your local glass shop to purchase) We used 26×37″ measure your own to find exact fit.
  • Level/straight edge
  • Table Saw or skill saw (circular saw)
  • Mitre Box
  • Drill (screwdriver)
  • Paint
  • Shovel
DIRECTIONS:1 – Cut your 2x4s to length (use mitre box to cut to length)

 2 – Lay out your pieces.

3 – Cut 1/8″ groove (the size of the blade), 1/2″ deep into 1 3foot piece (bottom) using cordless skill saw or table saw.
4 – Cut 1/8″ groove, 28″ down from the top of both 6′ pieces (legs) (on the wider side – see photo)
5 – Put one top board on one side of the top using deck screws, 2 screws per side. (this is where you need your straight edge to make square)
6 – Screw the second piece on top (the other side) with 3/16″ spacer. 

7 – 27.5″ down screw on the last 3′ piece with the groove facing up (this is what hold the plexiglass in place.  (Again make sure that the bottom groove lines up with the side grooves – this is where the plexiglass will slide down and sit)

8 – Measure to find out exact measurement of glass.

9 – Go to the glasier and get your plexiglass cut.
10 – Slide plexiglass into the top.
11 – Paint or put finish on the wood (This will help keep the wood nice.) 
12 – Dig 2 holes into the ground to make the height you want for your kids right now.  (We planned 2′ in the ground for now and then will raise it as the kids grow.)
Other options – 
  • Use old fence posts.
  • Put hooks on the side to hold shower caddies to hold your stuff!
  • Make a base for it instead of putting it in the ground.
  • Build a shelf on the bottom to hold items.
  • Make cup holders in the bottom.
  • Put an awning on it.
  • You get the drift! 
  • Puppet show (take out plexiglass and velcro some fabric to the bottom)

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Author:geekandsassy

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17 Responses to “See-Thru Art Easel”

  1. Reply
    Danielle
    May 25, 2012 at 7:48 pm #

    This is so fun! My kids would love this.

  2. Reply
    stacysewsandschools
    May 26, 2012 at 6:02 pm #

    AWESOME idea!!!!

  3. Reply
    artsnark
    May 27, 2012 at 10:31 am #

    too cool! Popping by via Funky Junk

  4. Reply
    Kaysi @ Keeping It Simple
    May 28, 2012 at 7:35 pm #

    That is such a great idea, I love it!!

  5. Reply
    Sumo
    May 29, 2012 at 8:37 pm #

    What a fun idea! My girls would get a kick out of this! I’ll be featuring this on my blog on Saturday!

    http://www.sumossweetstuff.com

    Sumo:)

  6. Reply
    blissfulsewing
    May 29, 2012 at 9:48 pm #

    This is awesome!

  7. Reply
    Trish @ Mom On Timeout
    May 30, 2012 at 8:04 am #

    Genius! Pinning this one! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

    –Trish

  8. Reply
    Amber @ Recipes We Love
    May 30, 2012 at 10:16 am #

    That’s a fun idea!

  9. Reply
    Alese
    June 1, 2012 at 8:10 am #

    I LOVE this! I blog over at http://www.2crafty4myskirt.blogspot.com and every Friday I feature a fellow crafter! I would LOVE to feature you and this project on an upcoming Friday. If you are interested please email me at toocraftyformyskirt@hotmail.com

  10. Reply
    Bonnie and Trish @ uncommon
    June 2, 2012 at 6:21 pm #

    Love this!! Thank you for sharing at uncommon! featuring this tonight on our FB page! 😉

  11. Reply
    Katie
    June 5, 2012 at 7:46 am #

    Great job on the easel! I featured you today on Sew Woodsy!

    • Reply
      ~V~
      June 5, 2012 at 7:50 am #

      Thank you for the feature! What a lovely group to be a part of!

      Sent from my iPhone

      • Reply
        Bahrani
        January 9, 2013 at 11:51 pm #

        Sorry BryanA few things might help:Make sure you are using the laetst version of the plug-in.Make sure you have activated the plug-in after installingWhen you add the shortcode, use the HTML tab in your dashboard (as opposed tot he Visual tab) to be sure you don’t have any invisible code within it. Copy and pasting from this site may result in extra code being pasted in!If it still doesn’t work, and you have a URL of the page you are trying to add, lest me know and I will try to look at it.Good luck

  12. Reply
    Greg
    February 28, 2013 at 7:41 pm #

    Love this. Such a simple, fun concept, nicely executed.

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