I'm always in the plumbing section of the hardware store!

"What are you going to do with that flange and 1/2 pipe" the hardware store clerk asked. Oh, I'm making a display piece. With a puzzled look, they always shake their head and walk away. 

I've been sorting thru our trailer, getting everything ready for our first show of the season, (www.josefinafineknits.com/events.html) 
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I wanted to make sure all the display pieces are in order, everything is tightened up and ready for another season of fun adventures! It seems, no matter if I've thru bolted, and glued the displays together, they always become loose. 

So I thought I'd show you how I make my cowl display pieces. I found the inspiration on pinterest. My favorite website. . .and my Faithful Sherpa's least favorite website!

Every time I show him a new idea, he rolls his eyes, takes a deep breath, and asks
so you want me to help you make that?"

​He's so sweet!

I love roaming thru second hand stores! It's the hunt, really, that I love. You just never know what you'll find on their shelves. I once found a perfectly good giant Descoware enameled cast iron 12 quart dutch oven pot for $15! That's right $15!

And I'm always on the look out for books too, since I use them in my displays. The best part of this display piece is putting book titles together, "The Care and Feeding of a Husband," "Love Poems" and My Sergei, a Love Story." I giggle every time I pull out that display piece!

WARNING. . .Danger. . .WARNING

​If you are an old book lover, please advert your eyes right now!

Once I have the titles selected, I glue the books together, just for added strength. Then I drill a hole thru both books, and thru bolt them together. 

I now I go overboard on this but I want to be sure they don't fall apart! 

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Now they are ready for the thru bolt.

I place a nut on the top side, and a washer and nut on the bottom and tighten the heck out of it to be sure it'll stay! Then, with a hacksaw blade, I cut the excess off. 

Screw in a 1/2" flange for the pipe and you are almost done. I've tried 3/4" pipe before but it was too heavy!
"What the heck do you have in this trunk," my Faithful Sherpa asked. "Rocks!"
I've taken out all the display pieces I made with 3/4" pipe and use them at home. He's much happier now!

Then I flip the whole thing upside down and glue on some feet. You can use anything you want, but I typically use leftover pieces of wood cut to size. Usually I leave the wood raw because, well, most times I 'm lazy, but I got fancy with this one and stained the wood. 

Screw in the pipes and voila, we're done! Well, in looking at this photo, I haven't put the caps on the ends yet. 

Hey, I forgot the caps on both of these! Oh well. Here's what it looks like. See, a cap! 

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These little displays are really easy to make, and can be used to hang a whole bunch of things!

• You can hang your necklaces or bracelets (I have one on the dresser).
• You can hang your measuring cups that come on those little chains.
• You can hang ribbon and place it on your wrapping station.
• You can hang coffee cups and make a coffee station on your counter

See you can do anything with them! Now head out to the plumbing section of your local hardware store and have some fun!