Mail/Key Holder: A tutorial

It seems like I'm constantly losing my keys, so I decided to make a key holder to go next to our door and hold the keys.  Our mail box isn't really designed to hold outgoing mail, so I don't like to leave anything in it overnight, so I designed the holder to hold mail as well.  I was able to use scraps of bead board from my father in law, and a few other scraps of wood, I only had to buy the spray paint for this project (but now I have a lot of that for another project).


Here's what you'll need for this project:


Wood Glue
Screw Hooks
Bead Board
Wood Scrap
Sand Paper/Block
Spray Paint
not pictured:
ribbon
glue gun

Take your scrap of wood and measure it to how deep you want the "pocket" of your holder to be (mine was 4").  Use a straight edge and draw a line, cut the wood using a saw, sand all the edges.  Cut two of those, and also one for the bottom (4 1/2").  

Trim the edge off the bead board so it's even on both sides and slot is gone.  Cut the front section of the "pocket" to match the size of the side pieces.

You should have five pieces, 2 bead board and 3 scrap pieces.

Apply wood glue to one side of each of the side pieces and to three sides of the bottom piece.  Put them together on the bottom of the large bead board.  Apply glue to the tops of each of the "pocket" pieces, and place the small piece of bead board on top.  Place something heavy on top of the top bead board and let dry overnight or at least 8 hours.

Cover your work surface with newspaper and spray the wood evenly.  Allow to dry for an hour.

Using the sanding block or paper, distress the sides and corners by sanding some of the paint off.  Screw the hooks into the bottom so that they're in it evenly.

Cut five inches of ribbon and heat seal the edges to prevent praying.  Glue the ends of the ribbon together.  Add a spot of glue to the top back of the board.  Press the ribbon look to the glue and press to adhere.


Hang it next to your door, or wherever you want it, and use it!  I am super excited to use ours, and I love that it adds more color to our living room!

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Comments

  1. KarimaOctober 5, 2011 at 3:33 AM

    That looks great (I want one!)- saw you on linky party and now gfc following you, Karima www.karimascrafts.com

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  2. UnknownOctober 12, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    This is so cute! I love it and totally want one - my current mail holder is just not getting the job done anymore, haha! : )

    -Mel the Crafty Scientist

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