Wall mounted Bracelet Display

The cats love to smack the bracelets off the dresser and onto the floor.

Endless fun for the cat, and constant picking up for the owner.

This simple bracelet holder, attached to the wall with a simple French cleat (only 2 screws) – is a clear winner for nicely showing off your bangles without tempting the felines to have an all out smackfest!

Bracelet holder

The Bracelet holder is made of solid 3/4″ Maple with 1/2″ wooden dowels drilled into the sides in an alternating pattern to allow easy insertion of the Bracelets and Bangles.  It is approximately 11″ wide, 36″ in height, and 3- 1/4″ deep.  It has a 3″ wood cleat at the bottom, and a 3″ French Cleat at the top.

The piece is finished with 3 coats of Varathane semi-gloss finish, brushed on.  sanded with 320 paper in between coats. (links open to amazon product pages).

Bracelet holder by Alan Chenkin, handcrafted at the Chenkin Workshop
Two views of the Bracelet and Bangle holder, showing the staggered dowels.

 

Dowel detail, showing rounded end.

This project is a lot of fun, and required some accurate cutting on the table saw, rounding over the edges with a router, and a lot of fine sanding.  The cleats were blind fastened with a Biscuit joiner, Glued with Gorilla Woodworking Glue, and clamped overnight.  I used a DE Walt 1/4 sheet pad sander with 100 and 220 grits.  I finished sanding by hand with 220 and 320 paper.  Before applying finish, I wiped the dust residue off with a damp rag or a tack cloth.  It helps if you vacuum the shop and let the dust settle before applying the final coats, so no dust gets on the finish coats.

Hanging the finished Bracelet and Bangle rack was easy, as it was light and easy to position on the wall.  I predrilled the French Cleat with two holes for #6 x 2″  wood screws and finish washers, and leveled it with a small level.  The rack sits on the French cleat and is flush to wall.

Simple, elegant, and Cat resistant.

Leo the Cat at Computer
Leo the cat, at the computer, shopping for cat toys on Amazon.

 

 

 

Keychain Display Cabinet

Finished Keychain cabinet

My daughter collects Keychains, which gave me a great idea – that they would look awesome in a display cabinet.

For her Birthday I made her a Keychain cabinet out of recycled materials (pallet wood, Pine cutoffs, and a piece of plexiglass for the door).

I found a pallet made of #2 pine, and used it for the case and door frame.

the shelves are adjustable with simple grooves on the cabinet sides, and some have 1/2″ cup hooks for hanging the keychains.

Everything was sanded with 100 and 220 grit sandpaper, and painted her favorite baby blue.

Here is a picture of the finished cabinet:

Finished Keychain cabinet
partially loaded with some unique keychains!
keychain cabinet detail
cutting and prepping the parts for the keychain cabinet
Keychain cabinet almost ready
Keychain cabinet detail, almost ready to wrap and gift!

The hinges are simple butt hinges, and the knob is a wooden knob painted to match.  the magnetic catch is a simple one from Amazon (you can order it here).  Of course I put a simple note on the back!

Now my daughter has a unique, Dad-fabricated display for some of the special pieces in her collection.

I hope your projects bring joy into someone’s life too!  Happy Woodworking!

Is carpentry and woodworking a good hobby to start?

Woodworking is a craft that is non-exclusive, and inclusive; almost everyone can do it!

Tennessee six pack carrier with bottle opener, Great gift idea, made in the chenkin workshop. painting by Kathy.

Carpentry has a great breadth – from Birdhouses and signs to elaborate carvings, models, Home repairs and functional cabinets. Carpentry also is a means to acquire tools, videos, books, and friends who share their love of the craft and knowledge of how to make objects out of wood.

  • Carpentry also brings together metal working (signs, hooks, table legs, hinges)
  • Painting – finishes, stains, decals, more
  • Repair work and upgrades
  • Reading and how to books

And much more!

Fireplace mantle with marble trim, Custom built for a client, courtesy of The Chenkin workshop.

The best way to get started is to Build, fix, or plan a project. Pinterest has tons of ideas, if you need inspiration.

Based on what you want to build, you will need to get some tools.

Pallet wood jewelry holder. product of the chenkin Workshop, finishing by Kathy.

Before you know it, you are on your way!

Of course, I admit I am biased. Carpentry is a Great Hobby to start!

Shameless self promotion (from my website):

Best of Luck and I hope to see you posting your projects on-line on Pinterest or Instagram!!

Welcome to the Chenkin Workshop!

Dad's Table Saw

Woodworking is a craft that is non-exclusive, and inclusive; almost everyone can do it!

My father was a woodworker, a mechanic, and a teacher.

I was blessed to have access to his creative side, and his ability to make all sorts of items, from tables and toys to additions on houses.  He shared his advice and skills, and was always open to building something in our basement workshop at home, or at his “Industrial Arts” workshop at Thomas Edison High School, in Jamaica, Queens, New York City.

 

When I started a career in Woodworking and Cabinetry, and opened my first workshop, my Dad was there for me.  Almost every Saturday he came by, with a project or two, and suggestions on how to improve the flow or make a better product.

I am carrying on in his tradition.  My son, a career Firefighter and Paramedic, has a great set of tools and fearlessly will tackle projects – calling me for advice and suggestions on how to build a model, or showing off the latest work in his apartment.  His son is now calling on Grandpa (Me!) to build his Desk, the hutch on top of it, and a footlocker for special GI Joe toy soldiers.  This is an honor and a calling to carry on the tradition, and see how my children are capable to build, create, and feel proud that they have furniture that will outlast their use and hopefully be used by their children.

I am proud that my daughter calls on me whenever she has to do something – and knows that Dad “has her back”, whenever tools and fixing things are involved!

Oak and Pine desk built for my Grandson

This Blog is part of the story – you can see projects in work;  answers to woodworking questions (from my family and friends, and from the Quora.com community).  I am a most-viewed author on the Quora website, and freely share my knowledge and approach to woodworking.

Feel free to read on, both here and on The Chenkin Report (My original blog).  I also appreciate any comments or questions, and will answer as my schedule allows.
Having a blog means I can publish more links to products and sources, so you can see products on Amazon and Ebay as well as my writing.
Thank you for reading, for learning a bit about woodworking, and joining me on the journey to understand, build, and create with wood.
With appreciation,
Alan
Founder of MPA Woodworking, Farmingdale, NY (1980-1999)
Elite Tasker on Taskrabbit.com
Member of the Leisure World Workshop

Over One Million Views on Quora.com
Free lance Carpenter for hire, Photographer, “Mr. Fixit”

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