Repurpose a Cake Tin Into a Tool Caddy
Hi everyone! It seems like we have officially entered a SEASON of ORGANIZING. Does this happen every January? I don’t remember such a strong drive to bring order to every chaotic corner of our lives. If you saw my workroom or my office or my garage, you would know that I desperately need organization. Oh, and purging. Yes, I need lots and lots of purging.
I can’t say that either of those is going to happen, but in the spirit of all things organizational, today I’m going to teach you how to repurpose a cake tin into a tool caddy. It’s helped me corral some of my tools and junky bits all together in one place. Oh how I LOVE coming up with craft projects from old pots and pans 🙂
My new caddy, made from an old cake tin, lets me keep some tools and vintage “junk” sitting out on one of my workbenches.
The other day, as I dug around in one of my boxes out in the garage, I came across this cake tin. I bought it over a year ago, but wasn’t sure what to do with it. To me, it looks like a “French” cake tin because it seems somehow more sophisticated than your generic angle food pan, with its seams and handles on the side.
Stenciling the Vintage Cake Tin
I guess that’s why I went for the French stencil. Of course, you can stencil anything you want on the side of your cake tin. Give it a spritz of matte polyurethane when you’re done, and that will protect your paint from scratching during use. [The stencil I used, by DecoArt, is called “French Living” and is one of my favorites.
Adding a Handle to the Vintage Cake Tin
Now, the trick is to find a handle, or some other whatsit you can use for a handle, that fits in the central “hole” of the tin. I buy up these sorts of handles whenever I see them for 50¢ or less, so I happened to have one on hand. [I would have used a red one, if I could, but they were too small.]
The handle that ultimately fit was made of unfinished wood, so I gave it a quick coat of dark stain. It was also a tiny bit too small for the opening, so I wrapped some duct tape around the end and then applied some strong glue where the two pieces met (the cake tin and the handle) and let it dry.
Filling the Cake Tin Tool Caddy
I nestled three gray, thrift store clay pots inside, and they hold a surprising amount of junk.
You can use it to hold anything you want. It could be used as a display in a shop or at a show. My tags look nice hanging out in the new caddy.
But for now, I’m perfectly happy with it holding some handles and hinges and a couple of tools. It makes me feel very organized whenever I look at it.
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Just gave one of those cake tins to Goodwill. Hadn’t used it in years. I imagine someone like you will find it there as a great buy. Doing lots of organizing here but starting with a new paint job in the pantry/mudroom/laundry. As I took things out I purged. As I put things back I’ll purge again. Photos of the mess on my blog.
Bummer for you, great gain for some junker like me 🙂 I bet you’ll find another, if you keep your eyes open. I’ll be by to check out your “mess!”
You can also use a biscuit tin with high sides, and put the things in cleaned out tin-cans; play around until you can fit in as many as possible. I have made some (covering them to match) to give away as “happy boxes”.
Such great ideas–thanks so much for sharing them with us!
Love your sense of humor….and of course your wonderful ideas! My question is: how do you find all the time to do all these beautiful projects and write about them too? I need something to keep me focused…..I have my hands into too many areas and then I have to clean, cook, play with my grandkids etc. And of course keep up with bloggers like you! Any advise will help. Happy New Year!!
You are so sweet, Susan, thank you for your kind comments. I find “creating” very therapeutic, so I try to spend some time each day working on project or two. Very often it’s late at night for 30 minutes or so after everyone has gone to bed. I don’t have any grandchildren yet (just two teenagers), but if you visited my house, you would find some dust bunnies, and I’d have to sneak into the downstairs half bath to give the toilet and sink a quick clean!! On days when I’m really creative, it’s because I gave myself permission to put it first, earlier in the day. I love blogging, so it seems one can always find time to do what one loves 🙂
Now that is an excellent idea. I think most of us DIY’ers do have an organization problem because we never know when inspiration will strike. I may need to pull down the one I have in the kitchen cabinet and repurpose it. I never use it for cakes.
Glad you liked the idea Debra; I’d love to see your whenever you get around to making it 🙂
I love this project, Diana…functional and beautiful! I’ve always just used my tins to hold ornaments or pinecones, I need to make some organizers! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Linda–glad you liked it 🙂
Not only is that cute but I love organization!
Thanks Bernideen!
Oh, Diana what a great idea. I am so copying it and I’ve got just the cake pan for it. sb
Copy away, Sharon! So glad you like the idea 🙂
Such a cute idea – I really like that!
Thanks so much, Kim 🙂
Always an inspiration…
Thanks again,
Helen
You’re a sweety, Helen; thank you 🙂
Love this idea..Thank you for sharing at Share it One More Time
Thank you, Tammy!
Hi Diana,
Just love this, what a clever idea and I love the stencil that you used too!
I think the handle looks like it was there all along!
Love it!
Kimberley
Thanks for the encouragement, Kimberly 🙂
And then I pinned the clever cake tin turned into a caddy – love your handle idea, I knew there was a reason to collect old handles. Thanks Diana.
LOL! You’re welcome Joy 🙂
Since I don’t have the heart to throw things away, I’m sure if I dig in my hoarders bin I have one of these. Great project and thanks for the idea. Would love for you to share it at Celebrate Your Story! Link Party at
http://www.thesweetsensations.com. The collection is open for another four days.
Thanks for the invite, Sandra 🙂 I’ll run over and link up.
Love this Diana–so clever!
Thanks Cecilia!
This is such a great idea Diane, and I’m positive I have a similar one in the back of my cupboards! Thanks for the inspiration I’m off to look!!
Good luck with your organizing! It’s a never ending battle at this house, as well. Thanks for sharing your cool caddy! Take care, Cynthia
So FUN-ctional and adorable. Love it, pinned it, want it.
Fabulous, Diana. I have a boxful of springform and cake pans awaiting their turn on the project table. You’ve given me some great ideas!
What a great idea. It looks amazing and I am sure adds such character to the space you use it in.
Very sweet! I need to do something like this for my “office”. Yes, January is a month of purging and I need to get off the computer and go do some!
I love these tins! But sadly never find them here in Australia 🙁
Such a simple but impressive update. Good on you – enjoy your caddy.
Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop
Diana,
I love your recycled vintage cake tin! I’ll have to keep my eyes open for such a treasure to recycle! I love the look of the pinecones, tags and splash of red in your display! Linda
mysewwhatblog
That tin is too cute. I seem to remember my mother having something like it.
Thanks for Sharing Your Cup!
Hi Diana, I love your tote! I will be featuring it at SYC Thursday. xx Jo
Diana, I have a vintage cake tin much like this one up in our attic. I think it might have a new purpose soon. Thanks for sharing the idea.
That is such a cute idea, Diana! I can already see my art supplies living in one of these up-cycled cake tins. Now all I have to do is find one. Come to think of it I might already own one! Seems like I’ve seen one batting around my house somewhere. Well, the hunt is on! Thanks for the great idea!
I had to let you know how wonderful it it that you reply to everyone. With everything you’ve got going you still have time to make each one of us feel special. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Peace Kim