DIY Lucite Tray {DIY}
Hello, friends! I was going to post this last week, but my body decided to channel my childhood and come down with a vicious ear infection. So I spent the better part of last week confined to my couch with a heating pad attached to the right side of my head.
OK, so who doesn’t love all these fun lucite trays popping up all over the place? I know I do. But, I don’t like the price tags associated with them. We’re talking $80-$140, folks. I dunno about you, but I don’t have $80 to blow on a tray. I do, however, have $15 to spend on my own lucite tray.
Here’s what I did. I bought a 13″ x 8″ acrylic tray at The Container Store (love me some Container Store) for $10. Then, in Photoshop, I created a couple 12.5″ x 7.5″ liners to lay in the tray. I saved the liner designs as PDF’s and had them printed and laminated at Office Depot. Printing and lamination cost about $5 per liner.
The liner lays pretty flat in the tray, but if you were worried about its stayability (yes, that’s a word) and didn’t want to switch out liners, you could secure it with, my good friend, double sided tape.
I even made one of these lovelies for my best friend for her birthday. She loved it.
Well, at least that’s what she said. She could secretly hate it, but I doubt that.
Well, at least that’s what she said. She could secretly hate it, but I doubt that.
Here’s the other design I made. Clearly, my last name isn’t “Lastname”.
I’d just prefer that we stay on a first name basis. No offense.
I’d just prefer that we stay on a first name basis. No offense.
The quatrefoil (phi mu love) and chevron designs are by Aimee over at Sprik Space. She’s a pretty awesome sharer.
What do you think about my $15 (make you holler) tray?
Would you pay $80-$140 for one of these?
Have you ever had an ear infection as an adult? Holy crap painful, right?
This is soooo awesome! I am totally going to attempt to try this.
Verycute! I like the idea of laminating the sheet. Very practical.
Adorable! I love it! Sorry about your ears. I had a double ear infection in the spring. Its horrendous. I feel your pain. I’ve been sick with a virus/bronchitis since NYE. I may give in and head to the doctor today. Boo to being sick!
Love this.
I am going to have to try it out
Love love love it! Now I need to find the nearest Container Store!
So cute! It turned out great! Thanks for sharing your tutorial.
I still LOVE the one you made me!!! I am also now obsessing over acquiring aproper vanity on which to keep it. It’s so lovely I want to ensure it is appropriately displayed. 🙂
I love it! Especially the quatrefoils…love some phi mu love. I want one of these. It’s so pretty.
question: what program do you use to watermark your photos? Is it easy to use?
I love the tray. Stylish, personalized gifts are always great. I had an ear infection last year. I know understand why little ones tug on their ears, the can’t whine about the pain.
Very cute. I actually made these in college and was just saying I need a more grown up design. I definitely think I need to make a chevron design.
I use to get ear infections all the time and it seems like I get one every winter… they are the worst arent they.
xo
I love this Chelsea!! I have been looking for a great tutorial on how to make a cute tray! Thanks so much for sharing!!
I wouldn’t pay $80+ but I would make one (or two). Wonder whether I can get the trays in the UK!
Um this is genius and I WILL be making my own! Thanks!!
You’re so crafty! I’m digging this!
I had 3 ear infections last year. Being 4 is awesome.
these are adorable! love love LOVE!
This is darling! What a great idea. (and I love the prints you used, too!)
Great idea and it looks fabulous! So many things to try & not enough time!
Beautiful tray! I’ve been looking for a pretty tray for my bedroom to put my junk on. Maybe I’ll make one! 🙂
You are awesome – LOVE this! Sorry about the ear infection.
I love love LOVE this idea! I definitely will be trying this out as a catch all tray for a coffee table 🙂
♡,
Jazmine
http://keepitkrafty.blogspot.com/
So cute!! Love this idea!
Loooove this! Really like the design that you created too 🙂
Lovely 🙂
If you get a chance, love for you to share this at my Link Party: http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2012/01/made-by-me-13-linky-party-and-features.html
-Q
I am {Tickled Pink} that I came across this tutorial!!!!! I’ve been swooning over the ones on Etsy but am NOT going to pay the prices…whoooowee!
Thank you very much for sharing! Oh, I’m your newest follower! ;P
{HUGS},
Steph
http://www.polkadotbungalow.blogspot.com
I love this!!! So pretty!
Tanda
http://www.themaguirehouse.blogspot.com
Love the tray and the design! Feel better, too!
Yuck, sorry to hear about your ear infection! No fun! I have been wanting one of these trays so bad. but you are right about them being pricey. Your idea is perfect. I don’t think the pattern is still downloadable from Sprik Space. I found it, but don’t see a place to dowload. Bummer! Oh, and i’m your newest follower.
Absolutely fabulous! I love this!! I’m sharing your project on the Sprik Space FB wall today. 🙂
Awesome tray! I am cracking up about your “lastname.” I totally get the need to be on a first name basis. 🙂
Heidi@HomemadeBeautiesByHeidi
Ahh this is darling. Love your blog and just happened to find it through Whipperberry’s link up!
Oh my gosh – how cute AND ingenious!! I need to get myself over to the container store! I featured you today in my Friday I’m In Love favorites!
http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/2012/01/friday-im-in-love-with-organizing-and.html
– Jenn @ Social Salutations
This is so fun! What a great idea- and I love that you can totally personalize it. Thanks for sharing.
What a fun project and so cute too! I am thinking it would make a really great gift for one of my friends.
Debbie
This is instantly a new fave of mine! I’ve browsed those trays before and agree I can’t fathom spending that much. Love, love, love it!
PS. I’ve never had a full blown ear infection as an adult but once every few months I get what feels like it is about to be an ear infection but it kind of comes and goes and never lasts more than a few minutes but boy does it hurt the heck!
So cute… love this idea!!!
This looks lovely,so much better than from the shop. I enjoyed my visit to your lovely blog.Hugs, P.S. I hope you’ll stop by Katherines Corner and say hello and don’t forget to enter the pink poodle giveaway too
This is crazy awesome! I’ve always wanted one, but never wanted to spend that. This is brilliant!!! I’m pinning this bad boy ASAP 🙂
This is seriously gorgeous. I will be featuring it tonight at my Winter Blues Wednesday party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I’ve Been Featured button. Thanks.
I love this – just bookmarked it – I want one!!
Visiting from ‘The Shabby Creek Cottage’ link up. This is a great project, thanks for sharing! 🙂 xo K
I wanted to let you know that I posted this in my “What I Bookmarked This Week” post today – stop by and see!
this is being pinned to try SOON – Love IT!!!
http://wanttogetcrafty.blogspot.com
That is completely AMAZING! Would love for you to stop by and share it at the Tuesday To Do Party this week!
Smiles!
Jami
http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
so super cute — and hope you’re feeling better!!
I love the tray!!! Oh and I would like a how to on your process in Photoshop if you don’t mind 🙂 I just got it and am LOST.
I currently have a double ear infection and it’s so painful. I feel you.
I love this, we are remodeling our Bedroom and this would be great to catch all at the end of the day! No container store here, do they do online? I’ll have to check! Pinning this…
I’m pinning this right now. It’s gorgeous! Color me impressed! Newest follower 🙂
I use photoshop but I have no idea how you are making these patterns or design sheets. I really love the first one with the initial. Can you give me some instructions please? You can email me at diy (at) jewelrytrinketdesigns.com thanks!
That is gorgeous, I love it!!!
Sara
New follower!
Just came by from Finding Fabulous! Your tray is awesome!!!! I would love a tutorial on how to create it in Photoshop. I have Elements and I see people doing all this stuff, but I have no idea! A tutorial would be great and very kind of you!!!!!
This is gorgeous..will be trying this soon. Thank you for sharing!
I’d LOVE to have a tutorial on doing this in Elements as well!! Very cool!
You inspired me! I made 4 of these and gave them to my friends for Valentine’s Day. I have one more to make…mine! 🙂 The hard part…picking a design and color scheme. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for sharing! the tray is gorgeous!!
I love your tray. I found it at i heart organizing. I’m hosting a bloglovin’ blog hop and would love it if you’d join in. You can find it at http://www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com/2012/02/bloglovin-blog-hop.html. I’m following bloglovin!
I love it! Great job. I’m in love with lucite trays and this is a great idea! I’ll have to try it! Found you via IHeart Organizing’s link party. http://www.justhadabrightidea.blogspot.com
This is amazing! Any chance you can give a quick tutorial on how you added the monogram to the print from photoshop?
Totally made me Holla!!! This is beautiful! Someday…when I have a whole seperate closet of my own…it’s going to pink, gray and white. Oh who am I kidding…I’ll do it anyway! Beautiful! And I’ve never had an ear infection…but both my kids just had them last week….so I was feeling the pain..
You are so cute! I luv this idea. Thanks for sharing. I’ll share something with you as well…did you know that a Doctor can prescribe drops for your ear for the pain? Next time!
I have been eying up those pricey Lucite trays forever and just haven’t had the guts to pull the trigger and now I am SO glad I never did. I didn’t know about the fab trays from the Container Store, but now I can’t wait to go back. Thank you for the super great idea. I am ooh la la in love!
xoxo,
Jen
I love this project and I have added it to my “to-do” list. I love the colors and everything about it. I also love your blog! I am your new follower!!! 😉
Kristin
theocdlifestyle.blogspot.com
LOVE this! I totally have to have one! I don’t have Photoshop, so I need to order one of your liners – I’ll be checking for you on Etsy!
Great tutorial! I just did my own version of the tray. http://mandyandconner.com/2012/07/18/highlow-diy-lucite-tray/ Thanks for the great blog post.
THIS IS SO AMAZING!!!! I wish we had a container store here. I’m in Canada, so I can only get it if I venture into your territory… which I really don’t mind most of the time!! I’m going to DEFINITELY try this though. I’ve been wanting to find a tray, but no luck and I really don’t want to spend the money either. Does the laminate increase the size of the liner? Anyways, you should do a tutorial on these awesome pearl frames and magazine coasters I saw — http://lbmgifts.com/store/gift-shop/home-decor. I love them. I might just buy them, because I’m lazy like that!
LOVE this! I would definitely NOT pay $80 for ANY tray, but your $15 version looks pretty spectacular (and like it cost way more than $15 too!). Thanks for sharing. Sarah
Beautiful! I want to make one or ten! So many great places to put one of these beauties! (Night stand, bathroom vanity, coffee table, buffet…)
This is adorable! Love the design and totally thinking about heading over to the Container store now! Your newest GFC follower 🙂
I love your tray, I am going straight to your etsy shop to take a look around. Thanks for the great tutorial!
I love your tray, I am going straight to your etsy shop to take a look around. Thanks for the great tutorial!
You and I have a lot in common girl. These are my favorite gift to give people. I do mine slightly differently but LOVE. Great addition to the link party. Hope you’re enjoying your Friday!
oooh good find! Didn’t know they had them at the Container store!
Watch those ear infections, people! My niece had one that she ignored and it ended up spreading to the bone behind her ear, necessitating surgery…dramatic but possible!
Love this. Want one. Want to gift one too. I have had an ear infection as an adult. I realized I had one because i practice yoga all the time and I suddenly fell over in triangle pose. 😛 sucked. but antibiotic drops cured me quickly.
Chelsea, would you be willing to send me the .pdf files to do this project for a fee? I don’t use Photoshop but would love to make myself a couple of these trays! I would be happy to send you a check or money order!
Very cute tray! I realize you posted this YEARS ago, but just in case you or others happen to read this, I thought it might be worth sharing on the earache situation: if you can’t get to a Dr. right away (like over a weekend), try lying on your side and dropping some hydrogen peroxide in your ear. It feels really weird to hear the bubbles, but sort of gratifying in a weird/gross way, too..just lie there and let it kill whatever germs it can in there, then get up and let it drain out on a towel or whatever. This has worked MIRACLES for me a few times; I couldn’t believe it. Other times it did not work. But if you’re in pain, and kinda stuck in limbo as far as seeing a doctor…hey, what the heck, give it a try!
Do you have a printable for the initial liner you used? Found you through Pinterest. So in love with the design!
Very cute tray. I will try it myself. I just want to know is this tray easily washable. I mean will the design stay long even after washing with soap and water.
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