How to Make a Vintage Wood Crate

I always come across these awesome looking vintage crates at flea markets and antique shops. Unfortunately the wood crates cost so much can't buy them. You can easily make you own vintage wood crates with some simple materials from the crafts store.

It should take you about 2 hours or less to make this simple vintage inspired wood crate. You will need to a lot for some drying time. You should easily be able to make this craft project for about $30 or less.

To Make a Vintage Wood Crate You Will Need:

1 wood crate from the craft store
Decoupage (optional)
Stencil (optional)
Stencil paint (optional)
Stencil Brush (optional)
Wood gel stain (not optional)
Sand Paper (fine grit)
Reproduction vintage Ads (optional)
Milk Paint (optional)

OK, so just run to your local arts and craft store. On the wood working aisle you will find a selection of new wooden crates. They will cost anywhere from $5 to $15. Any size will work for this craft project.

Now, you need to decide what kind of writing or advertising you want on the vintage wood crate. You can use a stencil to apply some writing. You could also decoupage on a reproduction vintage add.

If you do the stencil route, then check out any available stencil while you are eat the arts and craft store.

If you decide to go the vintage ad route, then you can either print some out on your computer, check out the poster section at the arts and craft store, or check out the scrapbook area.

Now, you need to decoupage on your vintage ad or stencil on your vintage wiring to the sides of the crate. Go for the two small ends where the handles are.

Now, I love old vintage fruit crates. You can find great stencil letters and write words like "apples," "oranges," or even "Bananas" on the side. You decide! "Coke," and "Dr. Pepper" are also great choices.

Now, let you decoupage or stencil paint dry completely.

Us you fine grit sand paper to rub away at the art work and make it look somewhat faded and old.

Now, use your wood stain to paint the wood crate. I like to use an oil base stain that paints on with a brush. Tongue oil is also a great option of antiquing wood. It applies in layers of many coats. It also dries very natural looking and really makes the wood glow.

You can sand this once it has dried and add another coat to age the vintage craft even more.

Now, let the final coat of wood stain dry. Use you sand paper to sand around the handle an any other area that would have received wear and tear while the vintage crate was in use.

If you want you can dip the tip of your paint brush into some paint and flick it onto the crate to create splatter marks.

Tips for Making a Vintage Wood Crate:

Most vintage crates have adds on the ends that are in a square shape. For a more authentic look you should keep p this in mind when applying your vintage art or lettering

Milk paints a great way to make any wood look vintage instantly. You can paint the crate out before you apply you art work. Let the milk paint dry on the vintage crate completely. This is also a great primer. Once the milk paint has dried you can stencil or decoupage on top of it.

You can also stencil with milk paint. Simple add more powder when mixing the milk paint. Instead of following the directions, just add a little water at a time till you get a thick paint good for stenciling.