Before & After: CARD CATALOG
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If you’re a crafter, you’ve probably ogled a card catalog on Pinterest (or was that just me???). If you’ve researched their prices, you’d know that you’d have to drop some crazy cash on getting one……….UNLESS you’re me and you juuuuusst happened to find a really cool dresser thingy with a million drawers at the thrift store (only $18.00!!!!!) and you knew instantly you’d struck gold 
Okay…..so the “before” wasn’t totally ugly (it was in perfect condition!). A friend of mine had even suggested I keep it “as is.” Um…..why would I do that??
I want a card catalog!!
New paint……and card catalog handles like these….and I would finally have my crafting card catalog that I have been drooling for!
I picked up these card catalog handles on eBay for a mere $7.00, plus $5.00 shipping.
I didn’t care for the brassy color, so I spray painted them with Black Rust-Oleum “Hammered” Paint & Primer in One, about $8.00.
I needed some screws to secure the handles, since it came with no other hardware, about $3.00
So with my supplies in hand……
….I laid out the handles on newspaper and spray painted them.
I had never used this Hammered spray paint, and I hated the speckled look of the handles. I was going to re-spray paint them a simple, glossy black, but whatever–let it have character!
So to get started I removed these stubby little knobs and removed all the drawers….HAHAHA, they totally look like nipples! lol
I began painting with Annie Sloan Pure White. I do like that Annie Sloan doesn’t require sanding or priming. But I don’t like the brush marks when you only use one coat, and I hate how the paint gets sticky thick so quickly.
It gets quite GUNKY. However, it does tend to dry smooth.
I painted a few of the drawers just to see how it would end up looking, because I was beginning to regret painting it because of the gunky paint.
Next, I started making the drawer holes for the new card catalog pulls with a black DOT in each of the 3 holes.
The pre-existing holes from the stubby knobs were still visible, however.
But first, I drilled the holes I would need for the new screws.
I was left with the old hole in the middle, and the 3 new holes for the new screws.
Then I filled the old holes with wood filler.
I had to be sure it dried completely before sanding with Fine grit sandpaper. It looks like the new holes were filled, too, but it’s just dust filling them
The next step was the paint the draws that still needed paint.
Again……a really cute dresser/table thingy for my crafting room, but it screamed “Card catalog!!”
And there she is……my new card catalog crafting organizer
The rest of the crafting room is totally NOT done…..but more of that coming!
But anyhow, where else can you get a card catalog for under $50??:
- $18.00 card catalog
- $12.00 card catalog handles via eBay
- $8.00 hammered spray paint for handles
- $3.00 screws
- Annie Sloan paint (already owned, but if I had to price it, I would say I used about $5 worth of the paint.
GRAND TOTAL = about $46.
Sweeeeeet!
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Tags: Annie Sloan, card catalog, featured
How awesome is that! I think I need something like that for my office, to keep all my stuff (crap) organized! Great job!
In the end did the Annie Sloan paint work out to your satisfaction? I t looks fab in the photos!
Deny, seriously, if you can find something like this, you’ll love it! I mean, a place to organize all your crafting stuff!! I am tired of shoving stuff in boxes.
Krisen, thankfully, yes!! Annie Sloan is great for coverage if you use 2 coats on a non-sanded surface. But that first coat is a bit yucky, like thick primer. It does dry nice and smooth, though.
This is the coolest!! I want one!
Thank you so very much for sharing this at the “Cowgirl Up!” linky party. I appreciate your participation.
♥Linsey
For real! Steal of a deal girlfriend!!! Love it!!!
PS: Tried to email you back but you are a no-reply blogger…
http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2011/01/tutorial-how-to-let-me-reply-to-your.html
XOXO
Hi Serena! I love your card catalog and your desk!!! Beautiful!!! If you’d like to share them at a party I have going on at Project Queen, I would love it! http://projectqueen.org/welcome-to-link-party-27-turning-the-daunting-into-the-do-able
Thanks for stopping by Project Queen today!
Thanks, Mandy! I will be sure to stop by to link up!
I wish I would find pieces like that for such a great price! You did a beautiful job!
Love this! Such a unique piece!
I LOVE the card catalog!! And the drawer pulls. I LOVE the hammered spray paints and have used them alot – they hide alot of imperfections. I usually do at least 2 coats, though – then you won;t get the speckles you didn’t like.
Love the look of your room!! Its great!!
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Very cool! I have to admit that I kinda like the original just fine, though. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for a piece like that!
– Laura @ Frugal Follies
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Thanks! LOL, my husband HATES that I paint wood! He thinks all wood deserves to be left alone!
Thanks for your comment!
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