penny top tray

Hello there!

First things first. I am one of nine finalists in the SNAP! Stencil Star Blog Contest for my stenciled summer sign project I posted last week. You can help me win by clicking here:

http://pinterest.com/pin/140526450843305908/

Then like, repin and comment on my project pin. By leaving a comment on this pin you’re entered to win $250.00 in product from Royal Design Studio.

And that, my friends, is awesome!

So, what do ya say? Want to help me have a little taste of the glory? (say that last bit in your best Nacho accent.)

Ok then! Get pinning!

Ok, on with today’s project…a penny top tray!

I started with a boring ol’ tray I picked up from the thrift store for a couple bucks.

I used Mod Podge to cover the tray with book pages.

Ah, books. Not just for reading.

Using E-600 I glued down the pennies. Yes, I glued each one individually. It really didn’t take that long.

I alternated rows of heads up and tails up.

And here is what 481 pennies looks like; can’t put two gallons of gas in the car, but it can make a fabulous tray!

Now for the fun part! To cover the pennies with epoxy.

It’s super easy to mix up, two parts epoxy to one part hardener.

Once it was mixed really well, I poured it over the pennies.

Using a sponge brush, I spread the epoxy to cover the entire top of the penny tray. Then just set it somewhere out of the way to dry and harden for a few days.

Oh, and a word to the wise. I recommend putting something underneath the tray just in case epoxy leaks out of ….say a corner …or something …and then gives you quite a horrified shock when you try to pick it up off your china hutch and it won’t budge without significant effort that leaves a chuck of mangled epoxy and paint and wood behind.

Just a suggestion.