These license plate boxes had been formulated in my brain for quite a few weeks before the big grad party, but was one of those projects that didn't quite get done until the morning of the party. Oh, the truth comes out to the relatives...now they'll know I'm not perfect.
I told Mr. Fix-it I needed 6 of them for the long tables that would be next to the garage; kind of ironic placement, and I didn't even plan that!
Since he was pressed for time, the quick version were created. Bending them in 1/2, and using good old duck tape on the inside. I was then able to set them on our fake grass square, and nestle the black plastic flower containers into some of the cocoa liner-kind of like a hammock. Worked like a charm.
Having some of his uncle's old license plates as the centerpieces created some great conversations amongst Mr. Fix-it's cousins and brothers.
This past week I explained to Mr. Fix-it that despite the fact that they worked great for the party, I would like these boxes to be sell-able, which involved more than duct tape hinges. He worked out the engineering, and here's what he did:
Bend the license plates in 1/2 against a straight table edge. Use a rubber mallet to make a tighter fold as in pictures above.
Instead of duct tape, cut a scrap board (about 1/2" thick) to fit inside 2 bent license plates. Different era plates are different sizes.
Next, drill holes in the license plate edge where the screws will go into the wood. Pre-drill holes in wood. Use rusty nails or old screws to attach both plates to bottom board.
Closing up the sides was a challenge. We could have tried glue or caulk, but that seemed sloppy. Mr. Fix-it decided on some small L brackets attached with rivets. I liked the rivet idea!
That rivet gun thingy is kind of a cool tool...industrial!
I'm planning on painting the wood basic black, but loved how they turned out. I especially love the more yellow ones that have the older license plates. They would be awsome with a pot of sedums and succulents tucked into them, or even used inside the house to corrall something...kitchen utinsils, even!
If you've got a couple license plates laying around, put them to use and enjoy them! These guys will be at August Occasional...minus one that I'll be keeping as a memory!
Chosen as a favorite project at this link party:
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2014/07/knick-of-time-tuesday-vintage_28.html
Linking this project up with:
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/02/sns-176-junk-garden-planters.html
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