DIY: Postage Stamp Tray

Over the summer, I came across these stamp bundles during a thrifting excursion.  They are charming and quaint and completely without value or purpose, which makes them ripe for crafting fodder.

I was inspired by Sara's artwork created from a childhood stamp collection.  I loved its simplicity.  Which led me to thinking about creating something similar with my stamps.  I debated mixing the postage and color, but at the end of the day, I liked the basic repetition of it.  Sort of pop art meets kitsch. 

On top of our dry bar, I've had this picture frame sitting in as a makeshift tray.  It was time I did right by it and made it a dang tray after all.  So with some drawer pulls (vintage would have been nice) and some E6000, I've rigged the frame up so that it serves as a decorative tray.  I don't trust myself to actually use it by the handles.  The handles seem pretty dang attached, but just when I give in I'm sure I'll have a disaster moment with glass and liquids and carpet stains.

 

I chose the purple Jefferson stamps because the frame was gold, and it was a very subtle nod to our alma mater.  I debated adding a vinyl sticker of the university on the glass of the tray, but decided against it because, again, that simplicity was more intriguing.

And if you have any craft ideas for stamps, I'd love to know.  I've created boxes covered in stamps and a tray covered in stamps, and I still have so many more.

I link up to these parties and Dog Days of Winter and Craft Challenge 2013.

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